The First Beat...

Today I had an appointment bright and early at 10 Am. No ultrasound this time, but we did get to hear babies heart beating for the first time.  The doctor said it sounded nice and strong ^_^ It was so amazing! The only thing the doctor's are worried about is the fact that I've lost 10 lbs since my last appointment which brings me down to 162 lbs. They plan on bringing me in next Thursday to check my weight again to see if I've lost more or if I'm starting to do better.

Honestly, the reason I've lost so much weight is because A.) this morning sickness is killing me! and B.) I've been more active than I have in the past. I'm sure it's really nothing to worry about and according to the doctor, it's not affecting the baby negatively at all ^_^

Week 13!

Your infant is about 2.91 inches (7.4cm) and weighs around 0.81 ounce (23gm) - This is about the same weight as 4 quarters.

If you could peek in again you may spot your baby as he begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements

Eyes and ears continue to move and develop

Baby's neck is getting longer, and the chin no longer is resting on his chest

Her hands are becoming more functional - Your baby may find it comforting to start playing with her fist.

At this point all nourishment is received from the placenta

On your next doctor visit you should be able to hear heartbeat with a Doppler by now - (Don't worry though if you can't, the heartbeat can be confirmed through U/S). Your baby's heartbeat is much more rapid than your own and may remind you of the race towards birth that he is running!

Week 12!

Vocal cords begin to form - While perhaps not quite ready to be introduced to the nearest opera stage, your infant will use these immediately following the moment of birth. Bet you can't wait to hear that first cry!

Those precious eyes begin to move closer together - Are you wondering if he will have mommy's crystal green eyes, daddy's laughing brown ones, or maybe out of the gene pool will emerge grandma's clear blue!

Ears shift to their normal place on the side of the head

Intestines move farther in to your child's body

His or her liver begins to function - Responsible for cleansing the blood, storing nutrients, and providing needed chemicals, this is an important event!

The pancreas begins to produce insulin

Guess what? Your baby's average size is now at a whopping length: 2.13 inches (5.4cm) and weight: 0.49 ounce (14gm)

Week 11!

Nearly all structures and organs are formedand beginning to function.

Fingers and toes have separated - Take a glimpse at how incredibly precious your child's tiny feet are at this point.

Hair and nails begin to grow

The genitals begin to take on the proper gender characteristics - It will be just a few more weeks before your ultrasound can show if you are having a boy or a girl! Have you been dreaming of pink or blue?

Amniotic fluid begins to accumulate as the kidneys begin to function - This fluid, consisting primarily of water, helps provide a cushion for your baby while she's nestled within your womb.

The muscles in the intestinal walls begin to practice contractions that digest food.

Your baby is about 1.61 inches (4.1 cm) long and weighs 0.25 ounce (7gm).

Week 10!

Baby is now called a fetus in "medical terms". You, however, may have chosen the name "peanut," "angel," "jumping bean" or simply "miracle."

The most critical part of your infant's development is complete. Now you are headed into a period of rapid growth.

While a bit strange to envision, your baby's head is now about half its length- Soon the rest of the body's growth will catch up but this area is prepared to keep up with the rapid brain development!

Eyelids fuse shut and irises begin to develop - Eye color is also determined by this point.

Placenta begins to function this week or next - The placenta is the organ responsible for both the provision of nutrients along with the removal of waste to keep your baby growing strong!

Your baby will be about 1.22 inch long (3.1cm) and weigh 0.14 ounce (4gm) at the end of this week

FIRST ULTRASOUND!!!!

Well, they decided to get me in as soon as possible, so that I could meet with their case worker (who is only there on Thursdays) and it just so happened I was available the very next day! So I went in again, and this time they did the pelvic exam and my very first ultrasound!!!

This is the peanut right now. They placed me at 9.5 weeks and 10 weeks by 3/5! Nate's first reaction was "You can tell it's mine because it's upside down!" LOL it was amazing!!! We showed everyone and they fawned all over the ultrasound picture!

They said the baby was a perfect size, in a great position for the ultrasound pictures and very healthy ^_^
I weighed in at 173 lbs and was also informed that I tested positive for Gestational Diabetes T_T

My next appointment is set up for March 31, 2011.

First Trip to the Doc's

Well, there was no ultrasound done today, but lots and lots of talking. It was the usual fill out 20 pages of medical history and what not. The doctor talked to Nate and I both to get a feel for what our situation was like and what our medical backgrounds are like.

She said since I was over weight (who would've guessed!) and since diabetes runs in my family that I should be pre-screened earlier than usual for gestational diabetes. And considering my score on a mental evaluation, that I should be set up with their on site case worker to deal with any depression/mood issues I might face during or after my pregnancy.

They gave me the lab work sheet and i headed over to the hospital to drink nasty glucose liquid and sit there for an hour and then have them draw blood. It was NOT fun.

All in all, it was a great visit that went very well. ^_^