23w5dHow far along? 24 weeks - we've reached viability!
Total weight gain/loss: Holy crap. Up 3 lbs. since LAST WEEK. Total gain: +15 lbs. I will be cutting back on fast food, soda, and dessert and eating healthier foods. And I'll be making sure that I get to the water exercise class every week and start taking walks with DH around the neighborhood!
Any new maternity clothes? No, but still needing some tank tops for the summer.
Any new stretch marks? The same.
Sleep: I jinxed myself saying that I was sleeping better. It's horrible again. I wake up every hour to switch sides because my hips hurt so badly.
Best moment this week: Getting the nursery in order! It's painted, all of the furniture is put together, the bedding is set up, the valances are hung, the decorations are on the walls...it looks like a real bedroom now! :)
Movement: All the time! He kicks during the day, whenever I'm sitting down, but the SECOND I lay down in bed, he feels that it must be time to move his entire body around inside of my belly. I'm like..."Hello, baby! It's bedtime! Knock it off!"
Food cravings: Starting wanting desserts more often...which I obviously need to cut back on (see weight gain above!)
Gender: BOY!!!
Labor Signs: Menstrual-like cramps in my abdomen and lower back a few times a week. Doctor said it's normal and to lay down and drink water until it stops, and to call if it happens 6 times in an hour. It's never reoccured like that before. It will just happen once, and then not again until later that day, or another day.
Belly Button in or out? Definitely getting flatter.
What I miss: A good night's sleep.
Milestones: Reaching Viability Day! Hooray! (But you should definitely keep cooking in there Brayden.) Baby 2 See says that there is a 36% survival rate for babies born at 24 weeks.
How Big is Baby?
The Bump: Baby's skin is becoming more opaque as the fat starts to pack on. And, thanks to the formation of small capillaries, her newly thick skin is taking on a fresh pink glow.
As much as we love your company, take a break from the computer if your fingers feel numb or tingly. It's probably carpal tunnel syndrome, often brought on by pregnancy. Stretch your hands frequently to loosen them up. For significant symptoms, try wrist braces or splints at nighttime.
Baby Gaga: At this point, your baby is growing steadily, with about a quarter of a pound of new weight and still approximately a foot long. Sure they're not so chubby yet, but just wait that'll come. Their lungs are also getting more prepared for the outside world.
Parent Connect:
Your baby isn't just sitting around (on your bladder) doing nothing, he's working hard preparing for life outside the womb—perfecting his lungs and packing on the pounds. He'll gain 1/2 pound this week alone. Other highlights this week:
Things are starting to get a little crowded inside the old womb as baby grows bigger and bigger. Your ribs are probably pining away for the good old days when they didn't have a foot permanently lodged between them. Hate to break it to you, but it's going to get worse before it gets better.
Your baby's ears are fully functional now. And since they are, you may notice that loud noises and sudden movements can startle the little bugger. He's getting used to the everyday sounds inside the womb: the sound of your heart beating, your lungs inhaling and exhaling air, the growling of your stomach.
Baby's got a fully developed inner ear now. This means his sense of balance is working and he can tell whether he's hanging upside down or right side up. He can also feel you moving, so go ahead, pop in your favorite tunes and boogie.
Your little Wiener schnitzel is about the length of a foot-long Chicago hot dog and weighs about 1 1/3 pounds.
Baby Center: Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.
In the past few weeks, the top of your uterus has risen above your belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball.
Similac Strong Moms: During your 24th week of pregnancy, your baby's face is almost completely formed, down to the tiny eyelashes.
When you're 24 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 8 inches long, close to the length of a banana, and weighs about 1 1/2 pounds.
Which way is up? Your baby probably knows — now that his inner ear, which controls balance, has finished developing. He might realize whether he is upside down or right side up inside your amniotic sac.
Your baby probably is continuing to become more active.
Your baby's movements show your doctor that your baby is in good health.
His movements right now are important for stimulating muscle growth, keeping joints flexible, and strengthening bones.
Right now, your baby probably is gaining about 6 ounces each week.
Congratulations on reaching viability!! I just reached 24 weeks today. Its exciting. It sounds like you have done a great deal pf prep work in the nursery, that's awesome. we have cleared some space out, but the painting won't begin until next week. I feel like I want it all set up by the end of the summer. I can't wait to see the little room come together! Best of luck!! Keep up the updates, its great to read.
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