The weekly development I posted yesterday mentioned Braxton Hicks contractions. I think I may have been having these for a couple of weeks now, but I'm not sure. They're infrequent and it seems like they could easily be confused with round ligament pain, which I have had a lot of. The difference seems to be that I only notice the round ligament pain when I stand after sitting for a period of time. It's just some minor pain in the lower part of my abdomen, but sometimes it is tight enough that I have to pause for several seconds before I can take a step.
The BH contractions occur even when I'm sitting. It's also a tightening in the lower abdomen but the feeling is more sustained. It doesn't hurt, but it's not exactly comfortable either. It does let me know that my body should be ready to do what it's supposed to do when the time comes. And that's a comforting thought.
I've noticed the last couple of days Ethan Bean has been pretty quiet. It's odd how long we go without movement in the beginning of pregnancy, but once we've felt it, a lack can start to be a huge cause for worry. I'm not worried, especially now, I just felt a 'bump' moments ago, for the first time this morning. I wasn't freaking out before, but it's weird how he can be so active sometimes, and then other times I won't feel him for what seems like days at a time. I guess he's just lazy like me :)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
22 Weeks
From Kid'sHealth.org:
The senses your baby will use to learn about the world are developing daily. Taste buds have started to form on the tongue, and the brain and nerve endings are formed enough so that the fetus can feel touch. Your baby may experiment with this newfound sense of touch by stroking his or her face or sucking on a thumb, as well as feeling other body parts and seeing how they move.
Your baby's reproductive system is continuing to develop, too. In boys, the testes have begun to descend from the abdomen, and in girls, the uterus and ovaries are in place and the vagina is developed.
Your Body
If you haven’t felt them already, you may soon notice your uterus practicing for delivery with irregular, painless contractions called Braxton Hicks contractions. You may feel a squeezing sensation in your abdomen. Don't worry, though: Your baby may be able to feel the contraction as it squeezes the uterus, but Braxton Hicks contractions aren't dangerous or harmful. If, however, the contractions become more intense, painful, or frequent, contact your health care provider immediately because painful, regular contractions may be a sign of preterm labor.
The senses your baby will use to learn about the world are developing daily. Taste buds have started to form on the tongue, and the brain and nerve endings are formed enough so that the fetus can feel touch. Your baby may experiment with this newfound sense of touch by stroking his or her face or sucking on a thumb, as well as feeling other body parts and seeing how they move.
Your baby's reproductive system is continuing to develop, too. In boys, the testes have begun to descend from the abdomen, and in girls, the uterus and ovaries are in place and the vagina is developed.
Your Body
If you haven’t felt them already, you may soon notice your uterus practicing for delivery with irregular, painless contractions called Braxton Hicks contractions. You may feel a squeezing sensation in your abdomen. Don't worry, though: Your baby may be able to feel the contraction as it squeezes the uterus, but Braxton Hicks contractions aren't dangerous or harmful. If, however, the contractions become more intense, painful, or frequent, contact your health care provider immediately because painful, regular contractions may be a sign of preterm labor.
Nursery progress
We chose the "My Little MVP" sports theme from the previous post. We decided it would grow up with Ethan a little better than the alpahbet theme. He'll still be able to use this when he's a toddler. We bought the crib set this weekend, and at walmart we found the cutest curtain rod, with little footballs on each end to hang the valance.
We're going to paint the room a neutral "taupe" color. We bought a gallon and will probably begin painting this weekend. The girls want to help. I'm a little nervous about that, but Darrell seems confident he can handle their good intentions. Hehe. We want to do everything we can to keep them involved in this process. I'm thankful that for the most part they seem to be doing very well, and are looking forward to being big sisters. They're very concerned about what their roles will be, and looking forward to taking care of him.
We're going to paint the room a neutral "taupe" color. We bought a gallon and will probably begin painting this weekend. The girls want to help. I'm a little nervous about that, but Darrell seems confident he can handle their good intentions. Hehe. We want to do everything we can to keep them involved in this process. I'm thankful that for the most part they seem to be doing very well, and are looking forward to being big sisters. They're very concerned about what their roles will be, and looking forward to taking care of him.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Darrell's Dilemma
Which set is better? We love the "all boy" aspect of the sports one, but the Alphabet one is so bright and cheery. Votes?
I still take the stairs
At work, I can't bring myself to take the elevator up one flight of stairs. Even in heels with my arms full of stuff. I was thinking this morning that it's more an act of stubbornness on my part than anything else. I know that walking the stairs doesn't give me any significant amount of exercise. But I refuse to join the masses in the elevators. I've always equated taking the elevator one floor to be proof that you are either disabled or supremely lazy. And until I can't see my own feet, (and possibly beyond) I will be taking the stairs.
It's sad that this stubborn attitude doesn't translate to my time on the treadmill. So far this week I've logged 20 minutes. Over the weekend I'm glad to say I got a good deal of walking in, and I was hoping that would help me jumpstart my exercise program again. I could list the benefits of an exercise regimen during pregnancy and go on for quite some time. Easier labors, faster recovery and weight loss are two of the important ones, but those just scratch the surface. So why don't I get on the treadmill instead of goofing on my computer? I don't mind the exercise as much as I mind being tied in one location and forced to do a fixed thing for a certain amount of time.
I've been reading on the treadmill but I think I'm going to begin getting audio books at the library and putting them on my ipod. I wonder if walking outside will help. We don't really have a great place to walk in our neighborhood, but I guess it can be done. I'm sure the girls would come with me and ride their bikes.
It's sad that this stubborn attitude doesn't translate to my time on the treadmill. So far this week I've logged 20 minutes. Over the weekend I'm glad to say I got a good deal of walking in, and I was hoping that would help me jumpstart my exercise program again. I could list the benefits of an exercise regimen during pregnancy and go on for quite some time. Easier labors, faster recovery and weight loss are two of the important ones, but those just scratch the surface. So why don't I get on the treadmill instead of goofing on my computer? I don't mind the exercise as much as I mind being tied in one location and forced to do a fixed thing for a certain amount of time.
I've been reading on the treadmill but I think I'm going to begin getting audio books at the library and putting them on my ipod. I wonder if walking outside will help. We don't really have a great place to walk in our neighborhood, but I guess it can be done. I'm sure the girls would come with me and ride their bikes.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
What's in His Name
I have been meaning to check the baby name book for several days now, and just got around to doing an online search. Since I love names and their meanings, it's odd that I didn't do that long ago, although I already had a vague memory of both names because I've looked them up before, just not specifically since we chose them.
Ethan means strong, firm and Joseph means God will add.
I love the meaning of both, but especially Ethan. It's just a beautiful name and I feel like it's no coincidence that every time Darrell has said he hopes the baby is like me, I've replied that I want the baby to have his qualities too... specifically his determination and leadership qualities. Strong, firm. Sounds about right.
21 Weeks
I keep planning to make a "week" post on Sundays but so far have ended up too busy. Here is the baby's progress report. It's not all inclusive, just a simple one from Kidshealth.org.
Your Baby's Development
The amniotic fluid that has cushioned and supported your baby in the uterus now serves another purpose. The intestines have developed enough that small amounts of sugars can be absorbed from the fluid that is swallowed and passed through the digestive system to the large bowel. Almost all of your baby's nourishment, however, still comes from you through the placenta.
Until now your baby's liver and spleen have been responsible for the production of blood cells. But now the bone marrow spaces are developed enough to contribute to blood cell formation as well, and bone marrow will become the major site of blood cell production in the third trimester and after birth. (The spleen will stop producing blood cells by week 30, and the liver will stop a few weeks before birth.)
Your Baby's Development
The amniotic fluid that has cushioned and supported your baby in the uterus now serves another purpose. The intestines have developed enough that small amounts of sugars can be absorbed from the fluid that is swallowed and passed through the digestive system to the large bowel. Almost all of your baby's nourishment, however, still comes from you through the placenta.
Until now your baby's liver and spleen have been responsible for the production of blood cells. But now the bone marrow spaces are developed enough to contribute to blood cell formation as well, and bone marrow will become the major site of blood cell production in the third trimester and after birth. (The spleen will stop producing blood cells by week 30, and the liver will stop a few weeks before birth.)
Pretty cool, I think. The bean can also hear sounds now, which I think is just incredible. He's getting to know us while he's in the womb. Just amazing.
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