Week 9

Wow, a lot going on this week with Baby Gaines! Really, it is amazing all that happens in such a short amount of time, and I find myself in awe of all that my baby can do already! I signed up at whattoexpect.com, and they send me weekly update on the baby's progress and what milestones are occurring. I'll go ahead and post them here for all to see :)

Week 9: The Fetal Heartbeat Strengthens

Good-bye embryo, hello fetus. Your baby is now about one inch long, the size of a medium green olive (hold the martinis, please), with a heart that's developed enough — and large enough — to be heard with a Doppler.

Sunrise, sunset: Would you believe your baby is having his or her first graduation already? Yes, it's true: Your scholar-to-be has ended his or her embryonic stage and is entering the fetal period now (good-bye embryo, hello fetus). Your fetus is now about one inch long, the size of a medium green olive (but no martinis, please). The head has straightened out and is more fully developed, the ears are much more prominent, and some new organs (the liver, spleen, and gallbladder) are forming. Your fetus is also making spontaneous movements of his or her arms and legs now that minuscule muscles are beginning to develop, though you won't feel your tiny dancer for at least another two months.

While it's way too early to feel anything, it's not too early to hear something (possibly). Your baby's heart is developed enough — and grown large enough — so that its beats can be heard with a Doppler, a handheld ultrasound device that amplifies the lub-dub sound the heart makes. But don't worry if your practitioner can't pick up the sound of your baby's heartbeat yet. It just means your shy guy or gal is hiding in the corner of your uterus, or has his or her back facing out, making it hard for the Doppler to find its target. In a few weeks (or at your next visit) the miraculous sound of your baby's heartbeat is certain to be audible for your listening pleasure.

And, yeah, Baby Gaines may still not be much to look at, but he/she has definitely come a long way since the days of looking shrimp like!


And how am I doing? Well - I'm hanging in there. Still plenty of food aversions - not a whole lot of cravings. My boobs have grown in size to roughly the dimension of watermelons, and they hurt like hell. I'm already wearing maternity pants - and I've come to love the maternity frock type shirts that are probably long enough to be a dress. Thank goodness baby doll dresses are in style! I'll be picking some of those up for sure!