21 Weeks & Doc Update

Little man has a major sweet tooth craving! I never really craved anything when I was pregnant with Brody but with Jax I'm craving everything!

I ended up at maternal observation for several hours on Wednesday due to contractions but all is good and they checked my cervical length via ultrasound and it's a great 4.2cm. The tech said anything over 3.5cm is what they want.

I met with Dr. B yesterday and she is going to recheck my cervical length on Monday and we will go from there. As long as it doesn't start to shorten she won't put me on bedrest(thank goodness!) We will then return in 2 weeks to begin the biophysical ultrasounds on Jaxson to make sure everything is right on track. We will start those at 24 weeks and repeat every 4 weeks as well as check on the cervical length every 2-4 weeks depending on what my uterus is doing contractions wise. We will also begin the FFT test at 24 weeks. I'm very relieved and happy about this plan. Anything to keep me out of the bed!

Jaxson's 21 week development:
Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a banana. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well. Your baby's blood circulation is completely functional. The umbilical cord system continues to grow and thicken as blood travels with considerable force through the body to nurture the baby. The placenta is now almost equal in size to the baby. Your baby will be getting much larger during the second half of your pregnancy. You should be able to feel your uterus about a half of an inch above your navel. Your weight gain so far will be around 10 to 15 pounds. As your baby begins to lay down more fat, your weight will also increase. During the next 10 weeks, you will gain about half of the total gain for your entire pregnancy. Strangers can now tell that you are pregnant! You might notice an increase in appetite because you need 500 more calories a day to support your charged up metabolism. It is best to avoid processed foods or foods high in fat, calories or sugar. Some women also get strong cravings for foods. If you notice a craving for something unhealthy, you should contact your doctor. Craving for unusual things is known as pica. Some women crave cigarette ashes, charcoal, beer and other non-food items during this time. Your baby's different organs and systems are maturing. The fetal digestive system is functioning in a simple way and your baby can swallow amniotic fluid. After your baby swallows the amniotic fluid, she is able to absorb water and sugars from the fluid and then the waste is passed as far as the large bowel. Your baby swallows the amniotic fluid in order to prepare itself for life outside of the womb. Some babies consume as much as 17 ounces of amniotic fluid in a 24-hour period. Your baby already has a high number of red blood cells and the white blood cells are beginning to be produced. Taste buds are being formed on your baby's tongue this week also. Don't be surprised if your legs and feet become swollen throughout the day. You should try to get off of your feet some throughout the day and prop your legs up. If you notice a substantial amount of swelling, you should contact your healthcare provider for evaluation

Have a great weekend!
LeAnn