Birth Announcements by WiddlyTinks.com
Open Letter to the Working Mom
3 years ago
Friday, February 26, 2010
36 weeks!
Fetal development in pregnancy week 36:
The countdown continues… and in fetal developments: most of the bones (soft skull aside) in their little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which they can now make their grand debut into the world. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are structurally ready for a secure launch. In physical fitness news: their muscle tone has also improved over these past few weeks, and you’ll definitely be impressed by their steel-like Ulnar grasp (a newborn reflex that occurs if you lay your finger in their palm). And in genital development: if you’re having a girl, her labia are now fully developed. Finally, in the fluids/excretion department: the amniotic fluid-to-baby ratio has fallen over these past weeks, although they’re still swallowing fluid (building up even more meconium for that historic first poop), and some vernix caseosa. They will be more than ready to swallow and digest milk after birth. Just in case you didn’t get it quite yet: you’ve got yourself an adorable and hungry 6.5 lbs 20 inch baby—are you ready?
The countdown continues… and in fetal developments: most of the bones (soft skull aside) in their little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which they can now make their grand debut into the world. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are structurally ready for a secure launch. In physical fitness news: their muscle tone has also improved over these past few weeks, and you’ll definitely be impressed by their steel-like Ulnar grasp (a newborn reflex that occurs if you lay your finger in their palm). And in genital development: if you’re having a girl, her labia are now fully developed. Finally, in the fluids/excretion department: the amniotic fluid-to-baby ratio has fallen over these past weeks, although they’re still swallowing fluid (building up even more meconium for that historic first poop), and some vernix caseosa. They will be more than ready to swallow and digest milk after birth. Just in case you didn’t get it quite yet: you’ve got yourself an adorable and hungry 6.5 lbs 20 inch baby—are you ready?
Saturday, February 13, 2010
35 Weeks
Fetal development in pregnancy week 35:
Congratulations! You’re now carrying nearly 6 lbs of baby not counting their amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord, or the placenta itself. We’re impressed because that’s a LOT of work non-stop. Are you feeling proud of yourself yet? Well, get to it—you’ve done an amazing job! At this point, your little grower is almost busting out of the womb size-wise, which make their restricted attempts to move much challenging. Of course, your stubborn little sucker is still trying to move around as if they weren’t in a cramped space. And the accumulationg baby fat deposits are starting to level off so your little butter ball will be padded and warm when they head out of their super snug little home.
Congratulations! You’re now carrying nearly 6 lbs of baby not counting their amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord, or the placenta itself. We’re impressed because that’s a LOT of work non-stop. Are you feeling proud of yourself yet? Well, get to it—you’ve done an amazing job! At this point, your little grower is almost busting out of the womb size-wise, which make their restricted attempts to move much challenging. Of course, your stubborn little sucker is still trying to move around as if they weren’t in a cramped space. And the accumulationg baby fat deposits are starting to level off so your little butter ball will be padded and warm when they head out of their super snug little home.
Friday, February 5, 2010
34 Weeks!
Fetal development in pregnancy week 34:
Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb till now (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t noticed it already, you’ll be feeling the weight shift that signals that your baby is most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out.
Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb till now (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t noticed it already, you’ll be feeling the weight shift that signals that your baby is most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
So totally slacking!
So the latest updates are simple:
At risk pre eclampsia -
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure and protein in the urine that develops after the 20th week of pregnancy.
At risk pre eclampsia -
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure and protein in the urine that develops after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Symptoms
Symptoms of preeclampsia can include:
•Headaches
•Swelling of the hands and face (edema)
•Weight gain
◦More than 2 pounds per week
◦Sudden weight gain over 1 - 2 days
Note: Some swelling of the feet and ankles is considered normal with pregnancy.
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
•Abdominal pain
•Agitation
•Decreased urine output
•Nausea and vomiting
•Vision changes
•Headaches
•Swelling of the hands and face (edema)
•Weight gain
◦More than 2 pounds per week
◦Sudden weight gain over 1 - 2 days
Note: Some swelling of the feet and ankles is considered normal with pregnancy.
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
•Abdominal pain
•Agitation
•Decreased urine output
•Nausea and vomiting
•Vision changes
Treatment
The only way to cure preeclampsia is to deliver the baby. However, if that delivery would be very early (premature), the disease can be managed by bed rest, close monitoring, and delivery as soon as the fetus has a good chance of surviving outside the womb. Sometimes, medicines are prescribed to lower the mother's blood pressure.
The pregnant mother is usually admitted to the hospital, but some women may be allowed to stay at home with careful monitoring of their blood pressure, urine, and weight, and the baby.
Ideally, the condition is managed until the baby can be delivered after the 37th week of pregnancy.
Labor may be induced if any of the following occur:
•Abdominal pain
•Abnormal biophysical profile (a test to monitor the health of the fetus)
•Abnormal liver function tests
•Diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mmHg consistently for a 24-hour period, or any confirmed reading over 110 mmHg
•Eclampsia
•Failure of the fetus to grow
•Fluid in lungs (pulmonary edema)
•HELLP syndrome
•Increase in the level of creatinine in the blood
•Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
•Low urine production or severe protein in the urine, suggesting decline in kidney function
•Persistent or severe headache
The pregnant mother is usually admitted to the hospital, but some women may be allowed to stay at home with careful monitoring of their blood pressure, urine, and weight, and the baby.
Ideally, the condition is managed until the baby can be delivered after the 37th week of pregnancy.
Labor may be induced if any of the following occur:
•Abdominal pain
•Abnormal biophysical profile (a test to monitor the health of the fetus)
•Abnormal liver function tests
•Diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mmHg consistently for a 24-hour period, or any confirmed reading over 110 mmHg
•Eclampsia
•Failure of the fetus to grow
•Fluid in lungs (pulmonary edema)
•HELLP syndrome
•Increase in the level of creatinine in the blood
•Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
•Low urine production or severe protein in the urine, suggesting decline in kidney function
•Persistent or severe headache
Delivery is the treatment of choice for women with severe preeclampsia who are between 32 - 34 weeks pregnant.
For those who are less than 24 weeks pregnant, inducing labor is recommended, although the chance that the fetus will survive is very small.
Pregnancies between weeks 24 and 34 are considered a "gray zone." Prolonging a pregnancy has been shown to lead to problems for the mother in most cases. Infant death also can occur. The medical team and parents may decide to delay delivery to allow the fetus to develop.
Treatment during 24 - 34 weeks includes giving the mother steroid injections to help tspeed up the development of the baby's organs (including the lungs). The mother and baby are closely monitored for complications.
When labor and delivery are induced, the mother will be given medication to prevent seizures and to keep blood pressure under control. The decision to have a vaginal delivery versus cesarean section is based on the health of the mother, the baby's ability to tolerate labor, and other factors.
For those who are less than 24 weeks pregnant, inducing labor is recommended, although the chance that the fetus will survive is very small.
Pregnancies between weeks 24 and 34 are considered a "gray zone." Prolonging a pregnancy has been shown to lead to problems for the mother in most cases. Infant death also can occur. The medical team and parents may decide to delay delivery to allow the fetus to develop.
Treatment during 24 - 34 weeks includes giving the mother steroid injections to help tspeed up the development of the baby's organs (including the lungs). The mother and baby are closely monitored for complications.
When labor and delivery are induced, the mother will be given medication to prevent seizures and to keep blood pressure under control. The decision to have a vaginal delivery versus cesarean section is based on the health of the mother, the baby's ability to tolerate labor, and other factors.
Causes
The exact cause of preeclampsia is not known. Possible causes include:
•Autoimmune disorders
•Blood vessel problems
•Diet
•Genes
•Autoimmune disorders
•Blood vessel problems
•Diet
•Genes
Preeclampsia occurs in a small percentage of pregnancies. Risk factors include:
•First pregnancy
•Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
•Obesity
•Older than age 35
•Past history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease
Tests & diagnosis
•Increase in blood pressure
•Higher than normal liver enzymes
•Platelet count less than 100,000 (thrombocytopenia)
•Protein in the urine (proteinuria)
•Swelling in the upper body
•Weight gain
•First pregnancy
•Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
•Obesity
•Older than age 35
•Past history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease
Tests & diagnosis
•Increase in blood pressure
•Higher than normal liver enzymes
•Platelet count less than 100,000 (thrombocytopenia)
•Protein in the urine (proteinuria)
•Swelling in the upper body
•Weight gain
Prognosis
Death of the mother from preeclampsia is rare in the U.S. The infant's risk of death generally decreases as the pregnancy continues.
A woman with a history of preeclampsia is at risk for the condition again during future pregnancies.
Women who have high blood pressure problems during more than one pregnancy have an increased risk for high blood pressure when they get older.
A woman with a history of preeclampsia is at risk for the condition again during future pregnancies.
Women who have high blood pressure problems during more than one pregnancy have an increased risk for high blood pressure when they get older.
Prevention
Although there is no known way to prevent preeclampsia, it is important for all pregnant women to start prenatal care early and continue it through the pregnancy. This allows the health care provider to find and treat conditions such as preeclampsia early.
Complications
Preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia if the mother has seizures. Complications can occur if the baby is delivered prematurely.
Also I'm anemic as well meaning that I have the potential for bleeding out while in labor and/or requiring blood products after labor. Considering I'm having surgery after I have Bella I am faced with the possibility of needing blood products anyways. For those that don't know, I'm getting my tubes tied after Bella's birth. I've tried taking the iron pills and such but it makes me so sick that it's not worth it.
Also I'm anemic as well meaning that I have the potential for bleeding out while in labor and/or requiring blood products after labor. Considering I'm having surgery after I have Bella I am faced with the possibility of needing blood products anyways. For those that don't know, I'm getting my tubes tied after Bella's birth. I've tried taking the iron pills and such but it makes me so sick that it's not worth it.
32 weeks
In the latest womb reports, your amazing baby has now developed sensitivity to temperature! This means you’ll probably get a swift kick if you put a hot pad on your ginormous belly. For the Elton John lovers out there-- yes, baby’s got blue eyes. At this point, all babies do, although depending on their chromosomal disposition, this could easily change after birth (or even between now and labor), but for the time being, blue it is. Thanks to their recently matured lungs and a remarkably strong immune system, over 90% of babies born in their 32nd week, survive premature births. So it’s pretty much a done deal. Even if your little monkey’s planning on heading out early, their survival odds are in everyone’s favor. Time to celebrate (no, no, wait until after the birth to crack open the champagne!) We’re talking baby-showers and alcohol-free punch!
31 weeks!
Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height at around 4 pounds and 17 inches. With each added layer of baby fat, your baby's skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect your miracle-gro muffin to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!
Your baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth.
Your baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth.
30 weeks
The light is visible at the end of the tunnel! Your oversized self and amazing growing baby have finally reached the single digits (in terms of weeks till birth)! The fine lanugo hair that has been growing all over their little monkey-like body is going to start falling off this week in preparation for the big day. But don’t be shocked if they’re hairier than you’d anticipated, some babies keep their lanugo until after birth. Still, it’s not any cause to be concerned as it will fall off eventually. No surprises here: your little porker is getting even cuter with increasingly pudgy arms and legs this week thanks to the ever-growing layers of subcutaneous fat. In terms of numbers, your baby should be weighing in at around 3 pounds 12 ounces (or more!) and be nearly 16 inches long.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
My Year in Review
So everyone is doing years in review as today is the final day of 2009. So here's mine!
January 2009
1. Brandon loses job and we have to deal with trumped up felony charges.
2. We make do with what we can do by living off our income tax return.
3. Kiera hits 5 months.
February 2009
1. We celebrate Nikki's 5th birthday and angel day.
2. Brandon still cannot find a job.
3. Kiera hits 6 months.
March 2009
1. Month 3 of no income - not looking good.
2. Kiera hits 7 months.
April 2009
1. I turn 30 years old - I don't know whether to celebrate or cry!
2. We start to run out of money. Looking at other living arrangements.
3. Happy Easter! Kiera hits 8 months.
May 2009
1. Decide to move in with my parents.
2. We find out why Brandon is not having luck with job hunting. Start working on deferred prosecution so he can find a job.
3. Kiera hits 9 months old.
June 2009
1. Move in with my parents - Hell on Earth but puts a roof over our heads.
2. Brandon has some great prospects but all fall through on the job front.
3. Kiera hits 10 months old - weans herself off of formula and baby food.
July 2009
1. Month 2 of living with my parents.
2. Brandon still not having any luck finding a job.
3. I find out I'm pregnant with our 2nd child together July 10th! Due March 19, 2010!
4. Kiera is 11 months old!!!
August 2009
1. Month 3 of living with my parents.
2. Brandon's grandmother "Gran" passes away at the age of 83 on Aug 15th.
3. Kiera Rose is 1 year old on Aug 5th
4. Brandon gets a job offer from Dollar General on Aug 18th.
5. We have multiple miscarriage scares but the baby hangs on!
6. Kiera finally gets her first teeth in 2 days after her birthday. She starts walking the same day!!
7. Brandon turns 24 August 26th.
September 2009
1. Brandon starts job at Dollar General on 9/5.
2. First u/s of baby #2 - What a peanut!!
3. Kiera turns 13 months old!
4. Brandon and I celebrate our 2 year anniversary 9/10.
October 2009
1. Happy Halloween!
2. Kiera turns 14 months old.
3. 5 months pregnant
November 2009
1. It's a GIRL! We decide to call our 2nd daughter together Bella Edie after Gran.
2. Kiera turns 15 months old.
3. Happy Thanksgiving!
4. 6 months pregnant.
December 2009
1. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
2. Kiera is 16 months old!
3. 7 months pregnant
4. Brandon gets a promotion at Dollar General with a pay raise.
5. We may have found a potential home for just us that we can afford. Stick around to see if we move or not!!!
I hope everyone's year in review was just as interesting as mine turned out to be!
January 2009
1. Brandon loses job and we have to deal with trumped up felony charges.
2. We make do with what we can do by living off our income tax return.
3. Kiera hits 5 months.
February 2009
1. We celebrate Nikki's 5th birthday and angel day.
2. Brandon still cannot find a job.
3. Kiera hits 6 months.
March 2009
1. Month 3 of no income - not looking good.
2. Kiera hits 7 months.
April 2009
1. I turn 30 years old - I don't know whether to celebrate or cry!
2. We start to run out of money. Looking at other living arrangements.
3. Happy Easter! Kiera hits 8 months.
May 2009
1. Decide to move in with my parents.
2. We find out why Brandon is not having luck with job hunting. Start working on deferred prosecution so he can find a job.
3. Kiera hits 9 months old.
June 2009
1. Move in with my parents - Hell on Earth but puts a roof over our heads.
2. Brandon has some great prospects but all fall through on the job front.
3. Kiera hits 10 months old - weans herself off of formula and baby food.
July 2009
1. Month 2 of living with my parents.
2. Brandon still not having any luck finding a job.
3. I find out I'm pregnant with our 2nd child together July 10th! Due March 19, 2010!
4. Kiera is 11 months old!!!
August 2009
1. Month 3 of living with my parents.
2. Brandon's grandmother "Gran" passes away at the age of 83 on Aug 15th.
3. Kiera Rose is 1 year old on Aug 5th
4. Brandon gets a job offer from Dollar General on Aug 18th.
5. We have multiple miscarriage scares but the baby hangs on!
6. Kiera finally gets her first teeth in 2 days after her birthday. She starts walking the same day!!
7. Brandon turns 24 August 26th.
September 2009
1. Brandon starts job at Dollar General on 9/5.
2. First u/s of baby #2 - What a peanut!!
3. Kiera turns 13 months old!
4. Brandon and I celebrate our 2 year anniversary 9/10.
October 2009
1. Happy Halloween!
2. Kiera turns 14 months old.
3. 5 months pregnant
November 2009
1. It's a GIRL! We decide to call our 2nd daughter together Bella Edie after Gran.
2. Kiera turns 15 months old.
3. Happy Thanksgiving!
4. 6 months pregnant.
December 2009
1. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
2. Kiera is 16 months old!
3. 7 months pregnant
4. Brandon gets a promotion at Dollar General with a pay raise.
5. We may have found a potential home for just us that we can afford. Stick around to see if we move or not!!!
I hope everyone's year in review was just as interesting as mine turned out to be!
29 weeks
If you’ve been feeling butterflies moving around in your belly, it’s not just your run-of-the-mill pre-birth performance anxiety. No, it’s your amazing baby with a case of the hiccups: a fairly common occurrence at this point resulting from practicing breathing for their big birthday. In addition, to getting a round of butterfly-like hiccups, your little swimmer has arduously managed to accumulate enough baby fat to account for nearly 3.5% of their overall body weight. Yeah, compared to we adults, it’s not a lot, but when they’re little like that—it’s certainly a healthy (and warming) accomplishment in its way. Another fantastic accomplishment: your baby's spleen is now in charge of hematopoiesis—the 10 dollar name for the process involved in building up certain important blood components. Another fantastic-accomplishment: your little monkey has been peeing into their amniotic sac for a little while now (this is why potty training takes a while) and if you didn’t know, actually swallows it along with the rest of the amniotic fluid. Although the concept is nasty, their urine is sterile and as part of the amniotic fluid base, is replaced several times throughout the day. So if you didn’t know before, now you can tell people, that yes, you drank your own urine—you were still in the womb, but nonetheless, you’ve been there.
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