Lara Percival

Author: Mama Bug

  • Into Week 22 – Papaya

    Into Week 22 – Papaya

    Your growing baby

    Your baby is about the size of a papaya 28cms (head to heel) and weighs around 430g.

    Facial features continue to become more distinct and the lips are now fully formed. Canine and incisor tooth buds have appeared just below the gums in preparation for emerging as milk teeth a few months after birth. The eyes have formed but the irises show no sign of pigmentation yet.

    Oxygen and nutrients are being distributed around your baby’s body by the blood from the umbilical cord, flowing at a speed of four miles an hour.

    Organ systems in the body are more functional and specialised and the pancreas continues to develop steadily.

    Your baby’s skin is covered with deep wrinkles, which will gradually disappear as more fat is laid down. Fine hairs still cover the body to help keep your baby warm before a fat layer takes over the job.

    Pregnancy week 22 – What’s happening to you

    Stretch marks may start to appear on your abdomen. More than half of pregnant women will develop stretch marks. These occur if the natural elasticity of the skin becomes over-stretched. They appear as reddish lines, often on the breasts, stomach and thighs.

    There is little you can do to prevent them, although not putting on too much weight will help. Moisturising your skin will keep it supple. Once you have had your baby the lines will fade and become less noticeable.

    People will probably be forever touching your bump by now and giving you advice on your size or lack of it! Try not to worry about this well-meaning advice as all babies and their mothers will grow at their own rate. If you are worried about your size, always talk to your health professional.

    Need to know

    Things for you to consider during week 22 of your pregnancy

    Start to think about when you want your maternity leave to begin. You will need to let your employer know 15 weeks before your baby is due.

    Your partner will also need to tell their employer when they want to take paternity leave 15 weeks before the baby is due.

    Becoming forgetful? 

    Forgetfulness, sometimes called ‘pregnancy brain’ or ‘maternal amnesia’ is very common in pregnancy. Research has shown that the brain really does function differently during pregnancy, but pregnancy hormones and lack of sleep also have a part to play in this very common condition.

  • Into Week 21 – Beyond Fruit

    Your growing baby

    Your baby is about 27cms (head to heel) and weighs around 360g
    Those little butterfly feelings that you weren’t quite convinced were baby acrobatics now leave you in no doubt as they develop into kicks and thumps! Your baby may now have a definite pattern of activity, which you are becoming familiar with.

    Facial features are becoming more recognisable as eyebrows and eyelashes are growing. If your baby is a girl her vagina will also be forming.

    Each day several ounces of amniotic fluid are being gulped into your baby’s mouth and the newly developed taste buds will be put to work. This fluid will provide hydration and nutrition and the swallowing action is great practice for life after birth.

    It has become apparent in recent studies that babies show a liking for tastes they have experienced through the amniotic fluid while still in their mother’s womb.

    Pregnancy week 21 – What’s happening to you

    Although you are still feeling good and not too uncomfortable, at 21 weeks pregnant some changes may occur.

    Varicose veins could begin to develop if your family are prone to them so exercise regularly and elevate your legs and feet as often as possible. Unfortunately, these tend to get worse with each pregnancy and as you age. High progesterone levels in your body cause the vein wall to relax and bulge out.

    Spider-veins are something else that you may notice, especially around your ankles and sometimes on the face. These are fine, thin red vessels near the skin’s surface that resemble fine tree branches. Don’t worry, they are not painful and will probably disappear soon after the birth.

    Mild acne could be another minor problem. Increased production of oil is a side effect of pregnancy.

    Need to know

    Things for you to consider during week 21 of your pregnancy

    Be vigilant with your skincare routine and use oil-free make-up and avoid acne medication unless you have spoken to your GP first.

    Ask your midwife for the Mat B1 form at your next appointment.

  • Into Week 20 – Banana

    Into Week 20 – Banana

    Your baby is about the size of a banana 16.5 cm (head to bottom) 26cm (head to heel) and weighs around 300g…

    Your growing baby

    Your baby is becoming more and more active. You may notice this more during the evening and you may actually be able to see some of its movements when you are relaxed.

    Vernix is still being produced and secreted on the skin. Your baby is now busy producing meconium, the tarry black substance which will become the first bowel movement after birth. Meconium is a harmless mixture of amniotic fluid, digestive secretions and dead skin cells, which accumulates in the baby’s bowels and is excreted in the first nappy.

    Your baby is swallowing a lot now, which is good for the digestive system. Permanent second teeth are forming behind the milk teeth.

    The genitals are now fully formed. If your baby is a boy, his testicles have developed but they are still in the abdomen waiting for the scrotum to finish growing.

    What’s happening to you

    Now that you are halfway through your pregnancy the top of your uterus is beginning to push up against your lungs and to press your abdomen outwards. Your navel may pop out and stay that way until after the birth.

    It is important to make sure that you are having sufficient iron, as this is crucial for the production of haemoglobin in red blood cells. During pregnancy your blood volume increases so extra iron is also needed to support your baby and the placenta.

    Your hair is likely to be thicker and glossier and it will grow faster than usual. But for some mums-to-be, pregnancy hormones can make their hair greasier than usual.

    Need to know

    Things for you to consider during week 20 of your pregnancy:

    • Increase your iron intake by eating more red meat, prunes, green leafy vegetables and soya-based products.
    • Now is the time that you might think about childbirth classes for you and your partner. Your midwife or local maternity unit will be happy to help you with any information about the right kind of classes for you.
    • If you suffer from greasy hair wash it frequently using a mild shampoo.
    • Finding clothes that fit over your bump comfortably may be difficult now so, if you haven’t already bought some maternity wear, you may want to invest in a few basic items.

  • Into Week 19

    My jeans are starting to get tight, so much to your Dad’s dismay, I’ve been shopping for pregnancy trousers and dresses.

    Wanted to start sharing the app is telling me about you and I as we are growing. Enjoy!

    All About Us

    Your baby is about the size of a mango 15cm (head to bottom) and weighs about 240g…

    Your growing baby

    Vernix Caseosa is now covering the whole of your baby’s body. This is a greasy white substance made from a mixture of lanugo, dead skin cells and oil and is vital to protect your baby from the effects of the amniotic fluid. Without it your baby’s skin would have the prune-like appearance of having had a nine month bath! Some babies are born with vernix still on their skin, especially if they are premature.

    In the brain, nerve cells that have the job of specialising for the sensory systems of taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing are forming complex connections. At this stage sensory development is accelerating and your baby will be aware of many sounds and also any stress that you may be feeling.

    The arms and legs are now in the correct proportions, the kidneys continue producing urine and fine hair is growing on the scalp.

    What’s happening to you

    From now on your pregnancy bump will grow faster in the weeks to come. Your abdomen may ache and you may experience some stabbing pains in your side. The pains are caused by stretching of the abdominal ligaments that support your uterus to allow for the increased weight. These pains are quite normal but do contact your GP if they become persistent or severe.

    The extra oestrogen that is flowing around your body may be causing changes in your skin. Red palms and pigment patches called chloasma may appear as a butterfly-shaped mask across the face. This looks darker on fair skin and light on dark skin. You may also notice that your nipples darken as well as any freckles and scars on your skin.

    You may also notice a dark line running from your pubic bone up to your navel. Known as ‘linea nigra’, this is more prominent on darker skin. All this pigmentation is temporary and disappears soon after birth.

    Need to know

    Things for you to consider during week 19 of your pregnancy:

    • Consider doing some gentle yoga exercises. Yoga has the double benefit of being de-stressing and re-aligning your muscles.
    • Other activities you could try which are excellent during pregnancy include swimming, walking, stationary cycling, prenatal aerobics and aqua-fit classes. Your midwife may know of some existing classes in your area.
    • Your skin may be more sensitive to the sun than usual, so use a moisturiser that contains UVA protection and cover any exposed skin with a protection factor of at least 15 before going outside.
    • Pregnancy hormones can weaken your nails, so protect them from splitting and breaking by wearing gloves when doing household chores and gardening.
    • If your feet are uncomfortable check your shoe size. The hormone relaxing along with fluid retention can cause your feet to get larger so you may need a bigger shoe size.

  • It’s A Boy! Nope It’s A Girl! What?

    Well Little One, seems your midwife at the hospital read your sex wrong, you’re not a boy, your a girl!

    We will let you into a little secret, your Dad and I wanted you to be a girl. We can’t wait to bake with you, play in the garden with you,. do your hair and work with Dad in the garage wielding tools and helping wash the cars.

  • Into Week 17 – Still no real bump

    Hey Little One,

    Just hit week 17 of carrying you and still not feeling it. No real bump to speak of, I just feel like I’ve gained Christmas weight and my jeans are a bit tight.

    Got your Dad rubbing tummy butter on my tummy before I go to sleep, so you can probably feel that. He always lays a hand on you to see if he can feel you moving. So far he has been disappointed.

    According to my app, you are now large enough to fit into the palm of my hand. You really are growing.

    Got the 20 week scan in a few weeks – half way to meeting you. The scan will probably be the last time we will get to see you before we ACTUALLY see you.

    Your Dad has a lot to do, he has spent the weekend and this week building the new cabinets that are going into the kitchen. He will be soon ripping the kitchen out to fit the new one, complete with dishwasher and wine / baby bottle rack!

    We are both looking forward to meeting you.

  • Amnio Results Day

    I received the call I have been waiting for since the test on Thursday last week. The midwife rang with good news, the tests came back normal. Your Dad and I are relieved. 

    We also found out what you are today, you’re a boy! Your Dad and I are not entirely in agreement regarding your name yet, but we have 5 months to find something we like and agree that on. 

    I also told your Nanny Helen, she is so excited! She can’t wait to see you in my arms. Honestly, I can’t wait to hold you, and see your Dad hold you. So excited!

    Your Dad was at work when I got the call, but sent him a photo of my blue nails, I was shaking so much, he couldn’t tell what colour it was and called me straight away. He says he’s on cloud 9, and can’t wait to meet his son. 

  • Amnio Day

    Your Dad and I went to the hospital today for the amnio test. I was so nervous and your Dad did everything he could to chill me out. Your Dad is an awesome guy who I can’t wait for you to meet. He puts his head on my tummy to see if he can feel you wriggling about. Nothing yet. 

    The procedure was strange, the doctor was prodding you with the ultrasound scanner to get you to move out of the way, you didn’t like it one bit. Once you’d moved he jabbed me with the needle, which hardly hurt at all, but when then needle penetrated my uterus and your lil bubble it felt so strange, never felt anything quite like it. Your Dad was watching the whole thing on the screen. 

    Before we went in, we were asked if we wanted to know whether you were a girl or a boy, as they can tell from the results, we said yes straight away. Monday or Tuesday next week, we will know if you are ok. Can’t wait. 

    I’ve figured out a great way of telling your Dad, he will be working a late shift next week, so is going to be at work when I find out. I’ve figured a fun way of telling him what you are…

    Boy

    Girl

  • Scary Results

    We got some scary news yesterday evening from the hospital. My blood test results came back as high risk for Downs Sydrome. I’m not going to lie, when I got the news, I broke down in floods of tears and sobbed until your Dad left work early and came home to comfort me. I called him the moment I got the news. He left work straight away to be by my side and comfort me. 

    This morning, your Dad and I went to the Maternity Day Unit at the hospital to talk to the specialist about our options. We have a 1 in 115 chance that you will have Downs. So, staying as positive as we can, you have a 99.5% chance you will be perfectly normal.

    Tomorrow, your Dad and I will head back to the hospital in the same unit to have an Amniocentesis Test. It involves injecting a fine needle through my tummy into your amniotic fluid around you, and take a sample of around 10mm so it can be sent away for testing. This test will give us a definite answer.

    I hope you’re ok, our Little Wriggly Bear.

  • The Family Announcements

    We decided to choose Christmas Day and Boxing Day to tell the family about you. 

    We told your Nanny Helen after we opened presents, not long after we went to London to pick her up and bring her to our place. Your Nanny Helen lives in London, in the same house your Mummy was brought up in. 

    When we arrived at your Daddy’s cousin Becky’s house, we asked your Nanny Flo and Grandad Ernie if they could come outside as we wanted them to know before everyone else. Then, once we were settled inside and tucking into our Boxing Day lunch, your Daddy told the rest of the family. All 11 of them. The dinner table is very busy on Boxing Day, but we are sure we can squeeze in another spot for you. By the way, your cousin Jayden thinks your should be a boy. 

    Everyone is very excited to know you are coming. Your Daddy and I are very much looking forward to your first scan tomorrow morning! Exactly this time tomorrow in fact. We can’t wait to see you for the first time, we are so lucky that we have heard your little heartbeat already!