Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Weekly Baby Update: Week 9

Today starts week 9. Today starts month 3. Today starts our baby being a fetus, not just an embryo. All of these things are incredibly exciting.

In this last week, baby doubled in size from 1/2 an inch to 1 inch or about the size of a green olive or grape. How awesome is that?

This week, muscles are forming which means, soon, baby will be able to kick and punch my belly. Although, I still won't be able to feel it for some time. Baby's essential organs are already in existence (wow that's fast!) but they need some fine-tuning before they're ready for the world. This week, baby's heart is finishing dividing into four chambers and valves are developing. Baby's teeth are developing and baby's tail is finally gone.

Nerves are starting to work, the placenta is doing most of the work of producing hormones and while we can't distinguish it yet, baby's external sex organs are developing. It will be some time before we get to tell what baby is. Baby's eyelids are fully formed now but they are still fused shut and will be until more than halfway through gestation. Also, baby has earlobes and more distinguished nostrils, nose, and mouth.

As for symptoms, some morning sickness...not necessarily occurring in the morning. Most commonly appearing in the afternoon or when I'm hungry. I still have exhaustion...but I'm attributing a lot of that to my illness. I've still got the flu and it's holding on for dear life.

217 days to go, 31ish weeks!

FFR

pregnancy