26 Nov 2003 - 10:03am - 27 Weeks

Your baby is really starting to grow and fill in the available space in your uterus. This week she weighs in at about 2 pounds and is over 14 inches long. In other developments, your baby can now open and close her eyes, sleeps and wakes at regular intervals, and may suck a finger or thumb. Although still immature, his lungs are capable of functioning in the event of a premature birth, with help from a ventilator and other assistance.

If someone puts his or her ear up to your belly, over the fetal back, your baby's heartbeat will probably be distinguishable!

Sweet dreams, little baby! Some experts believe that babies begin to dream by the 28th week. What do they dream about? No one knows for certain. But the brain is active this week as well. The characteristic grooves on the brain's surface start to appear, and more brain tissue develops.

Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of the hiccups, which are common this week and throughout the pregnancy. Your baby has them, but is breathing in amniotic fluid rather than air. A paper bag can't cure her hiccups, obviously, but an episode usually lasts only momentarily. Besides, it may feel like a belly tickle, so enjoy.

Moms, your body's physical changes are coming on fast and furiously. Since your uterus is now up near your rib cage, you may now find yourself short of breath if you haven't already. Starting now, and continuing through the last three months of pregnancy, you may be plagued by leg cramps, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and an itchy abdomen. Labor really isn't all that far away, so if you haven't already signed up for a childbirth class, look into it.

Dads, believe it or not, studies have shown that a new mom's breastfeeding success has a lot to do with her partner's attitude. If you're not already a nursing whiz, now's the time to bone up on breastfeeding basics so you can provide the support she needs after the baby is born.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, meaning yet another week has flown by. We're now at Week 27 - only thirteen weeks remaining until our little one is due to arrive! Of course, if s/he takes after me, s/he may be here as soon as seven weeks. But hopefully s/he won't come until she's good and ready - we want everything to be fine with our precious one!

I'm finding it more and more difficult to get a good night's rest. Aside from the constant need to pee, I cannot seem to sleep more than a couple of hours without waking up. And very often I won't be sleeping deeply - the dream plays out behind my eyes, yet a part of my brain is active and aware that I'm lying there, sorta asleep and dreaming.

The snoogle is definitely helping, at least in regards to making me comfortable at night. My back still aches, despite the snoogle, but at least in bed it hurts less than it was. Especially as how the snoogle prevents me from rolling over onto my back, and thus having all the baby's weight crushing down on my tailbone. Owwwy, that was always painful.

I'm finally hitting the point where I've noticed that my mobility and flexibility are somewhat hampered - not so much as to truly complain, but enough to take notice. And I've already noticed the shortness of breath. There are some days, when the baby is against my lungs, where I just cannot get a decent amount of air in my lungs, no matter how deep a breath I take. I'm sure the fact that I am wee and tiny doesn't help in that regards.

The baby and I have many discussions, usually consisting of me saying hello everytime s/he lets me know s/he's up and at 'em by kicking or moving. Or of me trying to coax our little one to move into a more comfortable position so that mommy isn't hurting. Some days the baby moves such that my mind is filled with images of him/her using my internal organs as a jungle gym.

The baby can kick strong enough now to make my stomach jump, which I at least always delight in seeing. Still haven't been able to convince our precious one to kick on demand, however, so friends will have to be patient if they do want to feel the baby move.

John was able to hear the baby's heartbeat with his own ear (pressed against my belly) the other day! It was amazing. Oh, how it brings tears to my eyes to see the tears coming to his eyes at those moments. I wish I could hear it as well! But I suppose that is what he gets that I cannot share, just as he will never be able to know what it's like to feel the baby moving inside me.

I know I will miss that sensation when the baby at last arrives - though I am excited beyond words to finally be able to hold our little one. And I am beginning to miss my pre-pregnancy body, so I will be glad when I can fit into my old clothes again.

Buying those baby clothes the other day has filled me with an overwhelming urge to go out on a mad shopping spree to buy a bazillion things for the baby. Which I shouldn't do, knowing that there are baby showers coming up. But, then, our bank account couldn't afford for me to do so, so it's not really an option. Still, I want so much to fill our home with baby stuff.

Thirteen more weeks! Wow, how time is flying!! And we have our next ultrasound appointment, too - right before the Aralis event! More baby-in-the-womb pictures to share with everyone then!