24 Weeks

We had our 24 week appointment yesterday and were finally able to meet the third midwife in the practice. Jen was super nice and I feel really good about our decision to deliver Baby V with the midwives at Swedish. Each of the three ladies brings something different to the table but I feel will feel comfortable having any of them there (we can't chose who will be with us on D-Day.)

It was a quick appointment. She answered our questions, measured my belly, listened to his heartbeat, and I got my first ever flu shot. We were offered the shot last time but I wanted to be able to talk about it with J. We both felt that it was a good idea, especially with Thanksgiving travel in the next week. My uterus was measuring at 22 cm and his heartbeat was at 135...both of which freaked me out! Everything says you should grow a centimeter a week after 20 weeks, so 24 weeks should be 24 cm. So of course I instantly think somethings wrong EVEN THOUGH the midwife told me that it was perfectly normal to be +/- 2 cm. And then we listened to his heartbeat which has gone from 160 to 135 and of course that freaked me out too! Again, the midwife said that was perfectly normal for the heartbeat to lower has he gets bigger. The worrying of a mother has begun and Baby V isn't even here yet!

However, despite all of my worry, everything is looking great and Baby V is doing well. Here's proof (more for myself) that progress is being made!



We had our third week of childbirth class last night, finally getting to the good stuff...labor and delivery! It was a very educational class and we had a lot to talk about on our way home. The reality of what lies ahead of me is starting to set in as the weeks fly by but I am really happy with our choice of classes. I think that being well informed and having a significant amount of time to prepare mentally is helping to build my confidence. I used to be the type of person who viewed childbirth as something I didn't really want to take an active part in or even experience. But now I see it as a natural experience and I will be able to do it! And I feel even more confidant knowing that I will have J there with me. I really appreciate his involvement and willingness to learn. It's comforting to know that I have a partner who is ready to be an active participant.



Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Lindsey