Monday, June 28, 2010

23 weeks

Here's what is going on with Noah this week according to babycenter.com;

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb. You may notice that your ankles and feet start to swell a bit in the coming weeks or months, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer. Sluggish circulation in your legs — coupled with changes in your blood chemistry that may cause some water retention — may result in swelling, also known as edema. Your body will get rid of the extra fluid after you have your baby, which is why you'll pee frequently and sweat a lot for a few days after delivery. In the meantime, lie on your left side or put your feet up when you can, stretch out your legs when you sit, and avoid sitting — or standing — in one place for long periods. Also, try to exercise regularly to increase circulation, and wear support stockings (put them on first thing in the morning) and roomy, comfortable shoes. You may be tempted to skimp on liquids to combat swelling, but you need to drink plenty of water because staying hydrated actually helps prevent fluid retention. While a certain amount of edema in your lower extremities is normal during pregnancy, excessive swelling may be a sign of a serious condition called preeclampsia. Be sure to call your midwife or doctor if you have severe or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, swelling in your face, or puffiness around your eyes.

As for me, no real changes.  I'm still feeling great.  Still very hungry.  Still a bit tired.  Overall this trimester has been a breeze though.  Pickled okra has become one of my favorite things to eat, as well as anything with a sweet and spicy combination.  I'm still not really into dessert foods, and am still very much into sushi, and meaty and cheesy foods.  I'm hot almost all of the time now, and definitely make more frequent trips to the restroom than normal (especially in the middle of the night).  Noah is still moving around a lot, especially when I lay down in bed at the end of the day.

Shannon




2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shannon-
I've been visiting your blog a few times over the past few months to look up some of my favorite recipes and I have to say, it's been SO fun to follow your pregnancy with you! I adore the name your chose for your baby! You're been in my prayers!

Your Friend,
Dawn :)

Unknown said...

Thanks Dawn!