I went to my first OB appointment yesterday. It was pretty routine and nothing much to report on. The next appointment is in 4 weeks (I'll be 15w1d) and Dr. Jones said we can hear the heartbeat then. The appointment after the next we'll have the big ultrasound where we could possibly find out the gender of the baby (if he/she cooperates and gives us a good view). So, just 8 weeks until we know whether it's a boy or a girl! I'm thinking it's a boy, but secretly (or not so secretly) hoping for a girl. Jonathan's leaning toward/hoping for boy. Of course we want a healthy baby and would be thankful for either. It's still fun to hope one way or another.

Here's an update on our baby this week, the 12th week:

The end of the twelfth week of pregnancy marks the end of the first trimester. Your baby is now almost 2.5 inches long (6.1cm) when measured from crown to rump, and weighs between 0.3 and 0.5 ounces (9 to 13g).

Your baby's fingers and toes have separated and are getting longer. Your baby can open and close its mouth and drinks amniotic fluid which it passes out as urine. Its head is becoming more rounded, though it is still large in proportion to its body. It has eyelids.

You can now hear your baby's heartbeat with a Doppler Ultrasound device!

Your baby continues to grow rapidly and has doubled in size in the last three weeks alone.

The face is beginning to look more human, and all body structures are present with a few refinements still in progress. Fingernails and toenails begin to develop this week.

Your baby's muscles are sufficiently developed to allow for involuntary movements at this time. The messages which control your baby's movements are sent from the spine, rather than the brain, which is not yet sufficiently developed.

Posted By Lucia

We got back from our trip to NYC Monday night. It's nice to be sleeping in my own bed again. Pregnancy fatigue affected me more than I thought it would during our trip.

Here's an update on our baby this week:

Your baby is growing incredibly rapidly right now. She is approximately 1.75 to 2.4 inches (4.4 to 6cm) when measured from crown to rump. She will double her length in the next three weeks. Your growing baby weighs about 0.3 ounces (8g).

The neck is developing and the chin lifts up from the chest. Fingernails are also present. While your baby's sex was already determined at the time of fertilization, male or female genitalia are now visible. Essential organs are formed and most have begun to function. The blood vessels in the placenta are increasing in number to meet your baby's increasing nutritional needs. Her ears are moving towards the sides of her head, away from the neck. Your baby's head is still not in proportion with her body. Her head accounts for about half of her body length.

Posted By Lucia