It Takes Two to.....Mango

Well thankfully as the belly is getting bigger, little Austin's kicks are getting stronger. It's so exciting to be able to feel him more. I love it. Yesterday at the movies he kicked me SO hard, I almost felt like I had to pee (thankfully I did not). I did a little reading before work this morning and realized I'm considered to be in my 5th month already, holy cow!!! Between the wedding quickly approaching and everything going on at work I can't believe how quickly it seems to be going now.

 

 

How your baby's growing:

Your little action figure is able to choreograph Matrix-like moves at 19 weeks pregnant. Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom. Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone. All these upgrades combine to give your baby more control over limb movements. Which explains all that kicking, stretching, and bodysurfing (or rather bellysurfing) you've possibly started feeling by now.  Something else going on this week: Your baby is getting a cheesy varnish. Say what? Yup — a protective substance called vernix caseosa (vernix is the Latin word for varnish; caseosa is cheese) now covers your baby's skin. It's greasy and white and is made up of lanugo (that downy hair), oil from your baby's glands, and dead skin cells. This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appetizing or attractive, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, your baby would look very wrinkled at birth (sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months). Some babies — especially those born early — will still be covered with vernix at the delivery, so you might get a look at your baby's first anti-wrinkle cream. Your baby's sensory development is exploding! His brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch.

How your life's changing:

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your freckles, scars, underarms and inner thighs. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line." These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.


Details 5.31.11 19 weeks  (Month 5)

dd 10/24/11 Ѽ 

weight: 132 lbs. /  total gain = 12 lbs

symptoms: charlie horses