Ten Reasons Why

Oooh, this is getting exciting.

So, the little Widget on the left doesn't look much different that last week, but according to Pregnancy Week By Week at Babies Online:

This week marks the beginning of the fetal period, which lasts until birth. Your baby’s body systems, such as circulatory, nervous, reproductive and digestive, are fully formed during this time. His heart is beating approximately 160-170 beats per minute. Your baby is 27 - 35 mm or 1.06 - 1.38 inches with ½ the length being attributed to the head. He weighs between 3 - 4 grams (or less then ½ ounce), or 4 paper clips.

Also, your baby will become much more active than before, but unfortunately, his movements are still too small for you to notice. He will be moving his arms and legs, which can be seen on an ultrasound. Your baby's joints are fully formed, as are his tiny hands, feet, fingers and toes. At this age, he would be able to grab an object, if it were placed in his hand, as he grows more and more sensitive to touch. Your baby's eyes are open most of the time but the eyelids are beginning to fuse – they will stay that way until you reach approximately 25 to 27 weeks. The external genitalia are beginning to be able to show your baby’s gender and both the external ears and upper lip are completely formed now. Your baby’s biggest accomplishment this week is the disappearance of the tail!

Also, your baby is breathing. This breathing activity is noticeable as he “breathes” amniotic fluid. He is beginning to urinate as well.

Well, our baby has managed to lose its tail, breathe, and pee this week (okay, is it wrong that I am slightly grossed out that it is peeing in me?)! In honor of those accomplishments, I present to you:

Ten Reasons Why This Pregnancy Is Different and Should Result In A RLB*


1) IVF - We know the embryo was gorgeous, the baby should be, too!

2) Lovenox - it certainly made my head "wound" bleed like a stuck pig, so it should be working to get the bloodflow to the baby.

3) Great heartbeat - at 9 weeks, 1 day it was 172 bpm.
4) Consistent measurements- The baby has always measured two days ahead at each ultrasound.
5) Pregnancy vitamins - I got a new one this week, with a bonus stool softener - yay!
6) Phenergan - I had to switch to this old standby this week, because my insurance company only pays for so much Zofran in a month.
7) Pure and utter faith - this is a big week for us. When the baby looks good on Tuesday's ultrasound, it will be the farthest that we've ever gotten in gestational age.
8) No spotting - not even a tiny speck, and believe me, I'm still looking.
9) Constipation - alleviated by a combination of #5 and my daily prune juice.
10) Fainting - now, normally this would not be on a list of positives, but it's different. Anything different is good in my world. Also, it is a sign that everything is progressing and that my blood flow is rearranging itself for my little one, so it gets a place of honor on the list.

*Real Live Baby