There is definitely some movement going on! Before I could only feel movement if I were lying on my back, but now I feel it while I'm sitting up as well. Occasionally, it will even feel like my stomach is (lightly) flicked from the inside! I'm finding that my belly is getting in the way now. It's still small enough that I just reposition myself to do what I need to do (like tie my shoes) but I find that I have to rethink how I do it. I'm having a really hard time accepting my body growing and I have to continually remind myself that I'm supposed to get larger. I started keeping a log of my weight gain at 12.5 weeks and this week I'm exactly 4 lbs heavier (and 1 lb lighter than last week); since I was nowhere near petite when I found out I was pregnant, I really only need to gain 15-25 lbs (instead of 20-30 for average sized women).
This week Baby K measures in at 14.2 cm (5.6 inches) and 190 grams (6.7 oz). The baby's finger- and toeprints are starting to form, signalling my baby's individuality. Meconium (early fecal matter) is starting to accumulate in the baby's bowels, and it is made up from dead cells, digestive secretions, amniotic fluid and all that jazz. In the middle of this week the baby's eyes will (finally) be facing forward and the ears will be in their final position as well.
At this point, my uterus is about the size of a cantaloupe, with the top being just below my belly button. My website has figured that by now I've gained about 10-13 lbs, but like I said, I'm at 4 lbs. And by the end of the week, my heart will start working 40% harder than before! Oh, back pain is mentioned: I just figured it was due to my being lazy (which probably doesn't help!), so it's nice to know that I should expect more of it. Some tips to keep back pain at a minimum are to watch your weight gain (check), exercise regularly (check), sleep on your left side (...), use heat pads on sore spots (nope), and talk to doctor about pain medication (nope). Due to the energy demands placed on my body, these last 2 trimesters are going to require me eating a bunch of carbs, which is awesome since that's what I eat!
How am I feeling? I have a sore/achy back, which feels like I slept wrong - which is entirely possible - but it could be normal, judging by what I just read on sore backs during pregnancy. I'm uncomfortable sitting and a little grotesque since the bottom of my belly can rest of my thighs when I am sitting up straight (or leaning forward). I went to 3 out of 4 dance classes and made sure to take it easy stretching in jazz, so my inner adductor (muscle possibly identified by Judy!) isn't as sore as it was last week. I was also told by my ballet teacher to stop doing crunches!! Apparently, as the belly gets in the way, the abdominal muscles (?) will actually split in the center to create a shorter path along the sides of the abdomen. Once the belly is gone, a chasm is left and it can take a while to re-knit itself. Instead, she suggested some breathing exercises to work the core and will actually help during labour! Unfortunately, I suck at describing thing, but it is essentially deep breaths and while exhaling you tighten your abs at the same time. Make sense?? I've also been getting acid reflux, and there have been times when I've felt nauseous, so at night I make sure to prop myself up higher by adding an extra pillow under my shoulders.
Any weird food cravings? No, but I was craving cherries the other day and unfortunately they're out of season now. :(
Mood swings? I still get teary seeing emotional things on tv and totally lost it watching The Doctors the other day! But, it was an episode on babies born to drug-addicted moms, so I probably would've cried (just not as much) even if I weren't pregnant. I'm still emotional when Kevin's being a dick, but that is legitimate, not just hormones.
Any baby purchases? No, seems like we've slowed down. However, once we find out the baby's sex (1.5 weeks!) we'll probably pick out more stuff that is suited to gender.
What about the nursery? We bought some glow-in-the-dark star stickers while at West Edmonton Mall, but that's it.
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