24 Weeks

We've reached a milestone this week. At 24 weeks, the fetus is considered viable and if she were to be born from this point on they say she would have a good chance of survival. This week is also important because if I were to go into early labor, the doctors would try to do all they can to stop it. Of course, there would be great challenges ahead if the baby is born this early, so let's hope she stays warm and cozy in my belly for at least another 12 weeks until she is full term!

In other news, I'm finally looking pregnant! I think I've finally popped and am no longer rocking the beer gut. This morning was actually cold out, so I dusted off the 3 sweaters that I own and, of course, none completely covered my belly! I guess I need to start shopping for some maternity clothes. Although my jeans still fit pretty perfectly, and I'm not quite sure how that is even possible but oh well! I'm feeling great and Kylie has been super active. I'm starting to notice somewhat of a routine from her and if she's anywhere near as active as she is outside of the womb as she is inside, we are going to have our hands full. I think I'm also starting to feel hiccups. I almost always feel her kicks up high and around the sides. Then the other night I felt what I thought might me kicks right to the crotch. They felt weird though, and different than regular kicks and I've felt this randomly for the past few days with the distinctive kicks still up high. So either shes literally doing flips in there all the time and kicking me everywhere, or she's head down and hiccuping! I'm feeling great overall and I can't believe we are getting so close to meeting our baby girl.

This week I also had my glucose screening to test for gestational diabetes. I had to drink a sugary drink, which was actually really delicious, and then wait an hour and have blood drawn. My doctor specifically told me that no fasting was required, so I had breakfast and then went. When I got there, the lady asked me if I ate, I said yes, and she kinda huffed and rolled her eyes. I said, "My doctor told me I didn't need to fast, is that ok?" and she's like , "Well if your doctor said so but I'm sure I'll see you back here next week for the 3 hour." She basically told me that I was going to fail because I had breakfast! I thought that was really rude of her, but I didn't say anything, I just really hope she is wrong!

Here I am in regular clothes when I realized I had popped.




How far along? 24 weeks 2 days
Weight gain/loss this week: +1
Total weight gain/loss: +13
How big is the baby? almost a foot long and just over a pound
Maternity clothes? no, but I need to start buying some shirts at least
Sleep: What's that?
Best moment this week: looking pregnant!
Movement: Yes! Her kicks are getting so strong
Food cravings: I give up on this question
Gender: GIRL!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss the most: sushi, apple martinis
What I am looking forward to: Christmas next week
Symptoms: the usual

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