17 Weeks

We had an appointment with the midwives this morning and I must admit that I love the sense of relief I feel after every appointment. Having a chance to get answers to the questions that have been building in my mind and hearing Baby V's wonderful heartbeat (145 beats per minute) brightens up my day. At 17 weeks I still don't look very pregnant (unless you see me at the end of the day and after dinner :)) and I have only put back on 2.5 lbs of the 6 I lost in the first trimester. These things bring a bit of worry to my mind....until I hear that wonderful sound and am offered reassurance from the midwife.

She went over my blood work and testing results...everything looks excellent. No problems with my blood work and the genetic testing we had done after the last appointment turned out perfectly and I won't need to go back in for any more tests. I have been having dizzy spells everyday over the past week or so which she said was fairly normal in pregnancy because a woman's blood pressure has a tendency to get on the low side (I was at 90/50, normal is 120/80). It's just becoming an annoyance and is starting to interfere with day to day activity. Unfortunately there isn't much I can do except stay well hydrated and don't change positions too quickly. This too shall pass.

I have been having a lot of 'growing pains' over the past week or two. Nothing painful, more like quick bursts in my lower abdomen where my uterus is beginning to do some serious stretching. I was also able to finally feel the top of my uterus the other day, just below my bellybutton. Very strange sensation! As the belly gets bigger, I am noticing that I am having to starting to adjust certain activities. Leaning against the counter to do dishes or put on make up is a definite no no and sitting straight up from a laying down position is becoming uncomfortable and puts a lot of pressure on my uterus.

We go back to the midwives on October 19 for the big 20 week appointment. Whoa, almost half way done!!! At that time, we will have an ultrasound and get the final say on Baby V's gender (as long as he cooperates) and then let the baby shopping begin :) Can't wait to see our little bean again!



Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Lindsey