Week 35!!!

The average baby weighs almost five and a half pounds now.

Most babies born now will survive and without many long-term problems.

Fat accumulations plumps up the arms and legs this week. These layers of fat will help him regulate his body temperature. They also provide those cute little dimples on elbows and knees!

Her hearing is fully developed, so be sure to talk to your daughter. Do you find yourself speaking in a high-pitched tone? That's okay since some studies show babies respond better to higher pitches.

It's getting crowded! Your baby is now taking up most of the uterus and you may even feel like your chest has run out of room! Soon enough though, baby will move down and you'll be able to breathe easily again (just not walk so easily! Ha!).

Your baby is 18.2 inches (46.2cm) long and weighs 5.3 pounds (2383gm).

The testes have completed their descent in males.

Week 34 check up

Everything still looking good. She was measuring 3 lbs 14 oz last week, which is really good and on the light side of average. We got a few ultrasounds and Tessa decided to be shy and put her hand over her face lol But everything is looking well and she's an active little bugger.

Belly Bump Week 34

Week 34!!!!

Your baby acts completely like a newborn, with her eyes opened when awake and closed when sleeping. You may also find her settling into more of a routine for sleeping & awake times.

She has learned to blink. She can also see more clearly when there is a bright light on your stomach and probably has the outline of all your organs memorized!

Antibodies from your blood are being transferred to him. These immunities continue to build until birth. Then breast milk will add even more protection against disease.

Your baby may have already turned to a head-down position in preparation for birth. If he is your first baby, he may be settling into the pelvis with his head pressing against your cervix.

Fingernails have reached the end of the fingertips now. She may scratch her face even before she is born!

Your little one's length is 17.7 inches (45cm) and weight is 4.7 pounds (2146 g).

Belly Bump 33 Weeks

33 Week appointment update

So, Tess was being a stinker this time around. She was break dancing while I was in the parking lot but when I walked in and they hooked me up to the fetal monitor she decided she was gonna relax so it took a while to get the 10 kicks they needed, but her activity level is still fantastic, so no worries there.

When they were trying to get the pictures of her brain/heart and the blood flow/pulse monitored, she was turning around like friggin crazy. So she was being a pain. And to top it off, I didn't get any new ultrasound pictures of her because she was completely turned around and facing my back and wouldn't show her face. Oh well, I guess there's always next week to try again.

Everything still looks good and healthy, her tummy is measuring 2 weeks behind everything else (at least according to last weeks results) but her belly IS still growing, so it's not stunted growth. So far so good.

Week 33!!!!

Amniotic fluid is at its highest level during your pregnancy.

Your baby's head size has increased 3/8ths of an inch due to rapid brain growth.

Neurons and synapses are developing in huge numbers -- forming connections in your baby's brain will give him the skills he needs to thrive as a newborn. This week, he may be able to coordinate sucking and swallowing with breathing.

While most of his bones are hardening, his skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. The bones will be able to move slightly to make birthing easier.

You baby takes intermittent deep breaths -- of water! That's okay, though since she gets oxygen from the placenta. This breathing exercises muscles and encourages her lung cells to produce more surfactant (a protein essential for healthy lung development).

If your baby is a boy, his testicles will be descending from his abdomen into his scrotum. Sometimes one or both testicles won't move into position until after birth.

Your infant is now 17.2 inches (43.7cm) long and weighs 4.23 pounds (1918gm).

Belly Bump 32 weeks

i was super tired when this was taken >.<

32 Week Doctor's Updates

Perinatal Appointment:
Tess decided to be sleepy today and was positioned head downwards and facing my back. Good to know she's at least turned the right way and not in a breech position. The doctor said that the bloodflow to the brain/heart were excellent. She looks incredibly healthy and fluid levels are measuring right where they should be. They say I'm right on track with my october 1 due date. There's only one issue: Her belly is measuring small. Now apparently this means that she isn't getting the right amount of nutrients from the placenta for some reason. They say there's nothing I can personally do to change this (such as excercise or diet change.) and that it's simply something that needs to be monitored. They hooked me up to an external fetal monitor and administered a non stress test to monitor kick counts/heartbeat. Everything on that came on fantastic and looked healthy and fine. They will be scheduling me once a week now for non stress fetal monitoring to keep an eye on everything. Baby is measuring 3.5 pounds right now which they say is right on track and she looks/acts healthy as a horse, so I'm hoping that everything just blows over.

Prenatal Appointment:
I'm still weighing in at the same weight as I did 2 weeks ago. My fundal height is also still at 30cm, which they said isn't too unusal. I mentioned how the perinatal center said that Tessie's belly was measuring small and they said that was unusual, especially since they said I had tested with high sugar on my first glucose test. My sugar had come in at 153, and if i truly suffered from Gestational Diabetes, they said I'd be dealing with the issue of Tess weighing more than she does and measuring larger than she is. The doctor thinks that I somehow spiked the test and don't honestly suffer from GD, but they told me to continue to monitor my diet as I've been doing.

So all in all, everything is looking spot on except for Tessie's belly being a bit on the small side. Bloodflow to the brain is excellent; her heart is beating strong and healthy; she's nice and active and in a good position (not breeched). Every baby grows different, and the tummy is the last place to gain nutrients apparently so we'll be keeping our fingers crossed. <3

Tesslyn Raine Webpage Updates

So I know there are a few people who either don't follow this blog or don't have a facebook. I have decided to make a webpage dedicated solely to all the updates/pictures with Tess and updates as she grows. It will include pictures or baby bumps, ultrasounds, journal updates (such as these on my blog) and a link to my registry. You can feel free to leave comments as well and you don't need to sign up for anything. I figured this might be easier for those who are slightly technologically inept or simply prefer not to sign up for stuff online to get information.

Here is the Link:

http://www.totsites.com/tot/tesslyn

Week 32!!!

Your baby is up to 3.75 pounds (1702gm) now and is 16.7 inches (42.4cm) long.

You might notice she's not moving around as much now. Don't worry! She is fine -- just running short on room. She still has plenty of growing to do though, believe it or not!

All five senses are working. Your little one is fascinated and practicing testing these out as much as possible!

Toenails are completely formed even though she may not be quite ready for a French manicure.

Hair on your infant's head continues to grow in. Will he have dad's black hair or your red hair?

Brain scans have shown that babies have periods of dream sleep (REM) starting around the eight month. What do you suppose your son is dreaming about?

Week 31!!!

The rate of physical growth slows down just a bit, but even though she doesn't get much longer, she will gain a lot of weight the rest of the pregnancy.

Fat continues accumulating. This layer of fat turns her skin from red to the rosy pink she will have as a newborn.

Calcium, phosphorus and iron are being stored and his bones are growing and hardening.

Your baby is 16.2 inches (41.1cm) long and weighs 3.3 pounds (1502gm)

His brain enters another period of rapid growth, producing hundreds of billions of new nerve cells! Amazing!

She may move to the rhythm of music. Studies with heart rates show that she also prefers some types of music to others -- already!

Lungs are the only major organ left to complete development. Remember, that while you may be anxious to meet your little one that these last few weeks can be vital - with each day increasing your baby's ability to breathe on her own.

Baby Bump 30 weeks

Week 30 check up

Today's appointment went well. I found out that I can have as many people in the delivery room as will fit (oh joy). I have gained 1LB and so that places me up to 167 for my total 30 week pregnant weight. I figured I would gain more at this point, but they say I'm healthy and baby's healthy so not to worry myself. My fundal height is right where it should be and after a minute or so of searching around for Tessa's heartbeat the doc clocked it at 133, which is good and means it's starting to slow down and get closer to a normal beating pattern since she's only 10 weeks away from saying hi to everyone ^_^.

They told me I'm going to need to be on antibiotics during the birth/labor because I had "strep" something in my urine... I have no idea what that means but they said it might have been I had a mild UTI or something and it's cleared up now. They said it's absolutely nothing to worry about though. They want to send me to a diabetic/dietary aid so that they can find out if i really have gestational diabetes or not. That's going to be a pain, but it'll be better than drinking the glucose and trying not to throw it up for 3 hours.

Our Birthing Plan

Our wishes for Childbirth for Adi Gyana Kadian
Due Date: Oct 1, 2011
Patient of / St. Lukes of Allentown

July 27, 2011


We are looking forward to sharing our birth experience with you. We have created this birth plan in order to outline some of our preferences for birth. We would appreciate you reviewing this plan, and would be happy to do so with you. We understand that there may be situations in which our choices may not be possible, but we hope that you will help us to move toward our goals as much as possible and to make this labor and birth a great experience. We do not want to replace the medical personnel, but instead want to be informed of any procedures in advance, and to be allowed the chance to give informed consent. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions or comments. Thank you!

Labor
I would like to have an enema upon admission to the hospital.
I expect that doctors and hospital staff will discuss all procedures with me before they are performed.
I would like to be free to walk, change positions and use the bathroom as needed or desired.
So I can stay as mobile as possible, I would prefer to have a heparin lock adminstered instead of an IV.
Please do not administer an IV or heparin lock unless there is a clear medical indication that such is necessary.
I would like a quiet, soothing environment during labor, with dim lights and minimal interruptions.
I would like to play my own music.
I wish to labor freely in the birthing tub or shower.
As long as our baby is doing well, I prefer that fetal heart tones be monitored intermittently with an external monitor or doppler, even if the membranes have ruptured.
Please allow me to vocalize as desired during labor and birth without comment or criticism.
Please do not permit observers such as interns, students or unnecessary staff into the room without my permission.
To preserve my privacy and dignity, I would prefer that everyone knock before entering.
Labor Augmentation/Induction
I would like to avoid induction unless it is medically necessary.
As long as our baby and I are healthy, I do not want to discuss induction prior to 42 weeks.
I would like to try alternative means of labor augmentation, like walking or nipple stimulation, before pitocin or artificial rupture of membranes is attempted.
Anesthesia/Pain Medication
If I ask for pain relief, please feel free to offer nonmedical choices for coping and/or remind me how close I am to the birth.
I would like to avoid all narcotics, if possible.
I prefer an epidural to narcotic pain medication.
I would like to receive an epidural only if asked for and for it to be put off as long as possible.
Cesarean Section Delivery
I feel very strongly that I would like to avoid a cesarean delivery
If a cesarean is necessary, I expect to be fully informed of all procedures and actively participate in decision-making.
I would like Nathan, my husband to be present during the surgery.
Please explain the surgery to me as it happens.
I would prefer general anesthesia in an emergency only.
If conditions permit, I would like to be the first to hold our baby after the delivery.
If possible, I would like to breastfeed our baby immediately after the birth.
If conditions permit, our baby should be given to Nathan, my husband immediately after the birth.
I would like our plans outlined here for after the birth to be followed as closely as possible.
If conditions do not permit myself to hold the baby immediately, please give the baby to Nathan, my husband.
Perineal Care
I prefer not to have an episiotomy unless it is medically indicated.
I would rather have an episiotomy than risk a tear.
Please administer local anesthesia when repairing any episiotomy or tear(s).
Delivery
Even if I am fully dilated, and assuming our baby is not in distress, I would like to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase.
I prefer to push or not push according to my instincts and would prefer not to have guidance or coaching in this effort.
I would like to have a mirror available and adjusted so I can see our baby's head crowning.
I would like a soothing environment during the actual birth, with dim lights and quiet voices.
I would like Nathan, my husband to help catch our baby.
Immediately after the birth
Please place our baby on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
I would like to breastfeed our baby immediately.
Nathan, my husband would like the option to cut the cord.
Please remove my IV/Heparin lock/catheter as soon as possible after delivery.
Newborn Care
I would like to hold our baby through delivery of the placenta and any repair procedures.
Please evaluate and bathe our baby at my bedside.
If our baby must go to the nursery for evaluation or medical treatment, Nathan, my husband, or someone I designate, will accompany our baby at all times.
Postpartum Care
I would prefer not to be catheterized until I've had some private time to attempt urination on my own.
If available, I would prefer a private room.
I would like our baby to room-in with me during the day, but stay in the nursery at night.
I would like our baby in the nursery and brought to me on request and for breastfeeding.
I would like my Nathan, my husband to room-in with me.
Assuming I feel up to it and our baby is healthy, I would like to be released from the hospital as soon as possible following the birth.
I would like permission for access to my chart and our baby's chart.
Breastfeeding
I plan to breastfeed and want to nurse immediately following the birth.
Please do not give our baby supplements (including formula, glucose, or plain water) without my consent, unless there is an urgent medical necessity.
Unless I am unable to give my consent, please do not give our baby any supplements without first informing me of the reason(s) and seeking my consent.
I would like to know more about breastfeeding.
I would like to meet with the staff lactation consultant.
Additional notes
I would like to take still photographs during labor and the birth.

A Bad Scare

On Wednesday July 20, 2011 I started having Braxton Hicks Contractions around 1pm in the afternoon. I tried doing what I could walking around, taking a nice relaxing bath, doing some yoga, laying down, and nothing was working very well. Around 8:45pm they started getting painful and closer together, and after calling the OBGYN on call and monitoring myself after an hour the contractions were about 8 mins apart and we called an ambulance and headed to St. Lukes of Allentown.

I was checked in around 12am Thursday and they hooked me up to a fetal monitor, and were measuring my contractions. They said everything was healthy and appeared as it was supposed to be. They said the false labor was brought on by dehydration and stress and had promptly hooked me up to an IV and fed me 2 bags of Saline solution.

I had to call and reschedule my check up appointment from Thursday at 10:30 to this upcoming Thursday (July 28, 2011) at 9:15. I'll be able to give more updates then.

week 30!!!

Did you know your baby is nearly three pounds now?

His head is getting larger to accommodate a period of rapid brain growth. Don't forget to continue to "teach" your baby in the womb by exposing to music, literature, and simply talking to him.

A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him. As he grows and fills your uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid will decrease. Funny, you certainly won't feel any lighter!

She spends more and more time practicing opening and closing eyelids.Her eyes can move from side to side, following a light source. She may even reach out to touch the light.

Early lanugo is beginning to disappearthat served to protect your baby's skin from the water in the womb. Your little one's own hair may begin to appear.

Toenails are entering their final growth stage.

Bone marrow is now in charge of red blood cell production. These red blood cells will continue to service your child's body by transporting oxygen and removing the wastes (carbon monoxide and other gases).

Your baby has the capability now to produce tears -- yes, within the womb.

By the end of this week, your baby is now 15.7 inches (39.9cm) long and weighs 2.91 pounds (1319gm).

week 29!!!

• Your baby's head is in proportion with body now. He appears more like a newborn each and every day!
• Fat continues to accumulate under the skin -- only now preparing for entering the *real world*.
• Your baby's brain can control primitive breathing and body temperatures.
• His eyes can move in their sockets. Soon he will be able to follow a blinking light.
• Your baby is increasingly sensitive to changesin light, sound, taste, and smell! Various studies show that your baby may indicate preferences (or disdain) for particular tastes or odors at this stage
• He is also moving from side to side, but probably still is head up. In the next few weeks, he will move to the head down birthing position. At times you may feel as if he is performing somersaults for a circus act!
• Her length is now approximately 15.2 inches (38.6cm) and weight is 2.54 pounds (1153gm)
  
  

Tesslyn's Baby Shower

Tesslyn's Baby Shower
To be held August 20th 2011
228 N. 14th Street Apt 9, Easton, PA 18042
from 1:30-6:30 PM

My registry is being held on Amazon.com and can be searched under Adi Kadian or Nathanial Yeakel

Week 28!!!!

Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!

Hair on baby's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut!

Eyes are completely formed now. Quite a view from inside!

Your baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester.

Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics feels like it is taking place in your womb!

Lungs are capable of breathing now (but baby would still struggle and require medical attention if born now)

Talk to your baby often, reading stories, singing songs and more. He or she can recognize your voice now and will often calm to it later on!

Your baby weighs in now at 2.2 pounds (1005gm) and is 14.8 inches (37.6cm).

Babies First Hiccups!

so im sitting here chatting and i feel these light fluttery feelings in my belly that are of a distinct pattern ^_^ Tess is having her first hiccups!!! It went on for about 2 minutes before she got frustrated and started kicking around like crazy!!! It was totally cute!!! 

week 27!!!

Your little one's brain continues its rapid growth. Don't forget to share music, conversation, and even books with your baby!

Response to sound grows more consistenttoward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. Your baby's hearing continues to develop, he or she may start to recognize your voice as well as your partner's.

Lungs continue to grow and prepare for functioning outside of the womb. Each day in the womb greatly increases survival rates!

He also continues to take small breaths and although he's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when he's born.

Eyelids are now open more. Your baby can distinguish between light and dark.

Retinas have formed.

Your baby will grow over an inch this week alone! You may suspect this phenomenal growth rate repeats in the preteen years!

Average size is now 14.4 inches (36.6cm) and 1.9 pound (875gm).

week 26!!!!

Your baby may weigh about two pounds now (average is 1.7 pound, 760gm) and is 14 inches (35.6cm) in length

To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments.

Air sacs in the lungs form now.

Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is born.

Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, your baby's eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week. Depending on ethnicity, some babies will be born with blue or gray-blue eyes (which may change color in the first 6 months of life) and some will be born with brown or dark eyes.

Retinas begin to form.

Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable.

Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is working.

Week 25 Check up

Went today for my routine check up. Everything seems to be moving along fine except for the fact that I've lost 2 more pounds weighing in at 165 and I'm underweight compared to where I should be at this stage in the game. However, despite this the doctor says that my fundal height  is exactly where it should be and the heart beat it strong and I have quite the active little girl in me!!!

Belly at 25 weeks ^_^

My newest belly shot ^_^

25 weeks!!!

The structures of the spine begin to form -- joints, ligaments and rings. These will protect the all important spinal cord which serves as the information transmitter for your child's body.

Blood vessels of the lungs develop.

Your baby's nostrils begin to open. There is a study out of Belfast that suggests babies at this stage have the capability of scent preferences!

The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now. When baby is rooting for food later on, these will be valuable!

His swallowing reflexes are developing.

Dexterity is improving. Your baby can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in palm.

Your child has now obtained an approximate length of 13.6 inches (34.6cm) and weighs 1.46 pound (660gm).

Week 24!!!!

Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.

His body begins to fill out with his appearance increasingly becoming more like a newborn.

Taste buds begin to form. If mom drinks something strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing his distaste.

Little creases have appeared on his palms. The muscular coordination of his hands has improved as he sucks his thumb.

Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.

His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.

This week your baby is officially considered viable.

Baby weighs 1.3 pound (600gm) and is 11.8 inches (30cm) long -- almost the length of a ruler!

Week 23!!!!!

Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since he hasn't begun to form body fat.

Bones located in the middle ear harden.

Your baby is able to hear. (Dads, did you know: low-frequency sounds mimicking a male voice penetrate the abdomen and uterine wall better than the higher frequencies of the female voice?)

The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.

The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.

If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day.

The average baby at this stage weighs 1.1 pound (501gm) and is 11.38 inches (28.9cm) long.

Week 22!!!

Your baby weighs close to a pound at this point!

Your baby can now hear your conversations more clearly than before!.When you talk, read, or sing, expect her to hear you. Studies have found that newborns will suck more vigorously when read to from a book they heard frequently in utero.

Eyelids and eyebrows are fully formed.

Fingernails have grown to the end of the fingers.

Be prepared for all those "Why" questions coming! Your baby's brain has entered a stage of rapid growth, especially in what's called the germinal matrix. This structure deep in the middle of the brain serves as a kind of factory for brain cells and disappears shortly before birth. But the brain's amazing expansion program continues until around the fifth birthday.

With some help from mom, baby's liver is starting to break down bilirubin, a substance produced by red blood cells.

If your baby is male his testes begin their descent to the scrotum.

Primitive sperm have formed and he is producing testosterone.

Length is 10.94 inches (27.8cm); weight is nearly 1 pound (430gm).

Week 21 appointment updates

Tess is weighing about 14 ounces, which the doctor says is on the light side of average (hoping she is a smaller baby like her father). Nate was 6.5 pounds when born and I was about 8.5 so maybe I'll get lucky and she'll have his smaller build and hit growth spurts later on LOL.

Doc says her heart is phenomenal and she's moving around like crazy in there!!! Heart beat was 143 during the ultrasound and then bumped up to 153 once we got down to the prenatal check up an hour later. She gets really active and excited from all the poking and prodding lol. She's quite playful and full of energy already. They say I'm right on track for an October 1st delivery date, so everything is matching up nicely.

They said she's nice and healthy and I'm doing very well also. I'm up a few pounds from 163 to 165 so I'm gaining weight at a very healthy rate. My vitamin/mineral levels in my blood are doing great as well. They still want to send me for my 3 hour screening for gestational diabetes except they might cut it down from 100 to 75 ml (i think it is) and monitor for 2 hours instead of 3. Apparently, the doctor said that this has much more solid facts proving it to be a better strategy.

They set me up for a follow up appointment in August (since I'm around a lot for second hand smoke and such from the coffee shop), just to make sure everything is progressing nicely. Which I'm perfectly ok with... that simply means more baby ultrasounds for us!!!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!

 ^ her tiny little feet

 ^derpy 3D image

 ^and here's the money shot!!!

 ^a much better 3D image

 ^she had her foot above her head while she was on her back LOL

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Tesslyn Raine Yeakel at 21 weeks 5 days ^_^

Week 21!!!

White blood cells are under production. Leukocytes (or white blood cells) form our body's defense system. They help fight infections and diseases.

Your little one's skin has changed from translucent to become more opaque.

Your infant's tongue is fully formed. If you were able to peek you might catch your son or daughter practicing giving you a raspberry!

If your baby is a girl, her womb and vagina are formed. Unlike males, females have a limited supply of eggs in their lifetime. At this point your daughter will have 6 million eggs. This amount decreases to approximately one million by birth.

Baby swallows more this week. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel. This is good practice for his digestive system!

Wake and sleep periods become more consistent. Some research suggests that baby sets her internal clock to match the outside world's even before birth! Your eating and sleeping habits as well levels of light and noise serve as her signals.

Length is now measured crown to heel.

Baby measures about 10.51 inches (26.7cm) and weighs nearly 12.7 ounces (360g).