21 Weeks!

21 Weeks today! So exciting! I'm 6 weeks shy of my 3rd trimester, 5 weeks shy of my blood sugar testing, 9 weeks shy of my 3-D Ultrasound and 19 week shy of my baby (approximately). Holy cow!

I realize that 19 weeks is a long time and I have a while yet before this pregnancy adventure is over. I will say that I've already started a list of things I will be glad to have back after the baby is born -- even though I still love being pregnant!

1. My ankles
2. My lung capacity after meals
3. My Skin

I will continue to add to this list throughout the rest of the pregnancy. It will be interesting to see how long it gets.

Here is the update from babycenter.com. My comments are in blue today.

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound (probably more since he/she weighed 13 oz on the 23rd) and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. (Yes, I'm definitely getting full-fledged kicks. Sometimes I really want to stop and ask, "What ARE you doing in there?" I imagine the baby is tossing and turning to get comfortable. MUCH like Eric does when he's not sleeping well.)You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. (I usually feel her in the morning when I'm laying in bed. He/she either wakes me up or is up kicking around in there when I wake up. I think he/she must hear me talking to Eric while he's getting ready for work and wants to contribute.)In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well. (Vagina's are important! And speaking of eyebrows -- our friend Melanie sent me this message today, which I thought was very sweet -- and also conjured an interesting vision of what baby will look like, "I hope (the baby) has your eyes and eyebrows and Eric’s bubble butt. ")


How your life's changing:

You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints. (Yes, see my introductory note)

That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne (The acne meds have worked pretty well. I've had a few smallish zits since I finished the oral antibiotic -- but nothing terribly painful or huge.) If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications — some are very hazardous during pregnancy — or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner. (I checked! I'm good!)

You're also more prone to varicose veins now. (Nothing so far and I'm glad b/c I think my grandma - Dad's side - had them pretty bad.) As your pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in your legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of your veins to relax, can make the problem worse. You're more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them. Also, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you age. To help prevent or minimize varicose veins, exercise daily, prop up your feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on your left side, and wear maternity support hose.

You may also notice so-called spider veins (These I do have!)(a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on your ankles, legs, or face (Ankles, legs and my arm only, not on my face). They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery. (I'm really really really really hoping these go away. The ones on my ankles are only really noticeable when my ankles are swollen. The ones on my thighs are up high and I don't think anyone but Eric & I can see those.)