16 week update!

Last appointment was this past Tuesday (1-25). Man were they packed this time, I don't think I had ever seen the office that full, amazingly I got in really fast though. Just another reason I love my Dr.'s office! Anyway, I'm laying there on the table while Dr. Carlisle is using the most ancient fetal doppler I've ever seen in my life, she couldn't get the heartbeat on it at all, I was starting to worry. Thankfully she knew it was because of how old the doppler was so she went to get the other one. She comes back in, squirts the blue jelly stuff on the doppler and starts shoving the wand into my uterus. Man, she was really rough with that thing. I didn't complain though, I assume she does it rough right now since the baby isn't that big yet. As soon as she would find the heartbeat though the baby would move, it literally took her ten minutes to get his heartbeat long enough for the doppler to read the BPM. It was a perfect 153! So she went over testing options that were available for down syndrome and spina bifida, I opted out since she said most tests come back with a false positive, she also said that most people do opt out of them so I didn't feel so bad about it. But of course she reminded me of the gestational diabetes testing coming up soon.  I also got to schedule my u/s finally! Feb. 14th just like I wanted, I've only been planning on that date for the last 2 months. I seriously can't wait to find out what we are having. Even though we are having a baby shower, Jay and I are going to buy most of the stuff that we will need so at the baby shower all I'll really need is just main stuff like bath stuff and clothes. Then no one has to worry about spending too much money. As soon as we find out the gender we are so going shopping! Forgot to mention, Dr. Carlisle also mentioned that my uterus is higher than it would normally be at this week. It should be in the middle of my pelvic bone and belly button, but this little one is measuring even with my belly button! 
So it's the time on my blog to update with specifics and pics...


At this point of your pregnancy, your baby is approximately 4.3 to 4.6 inches long and weighs 2.8 ounces. Not only is your baby growing, your uterus and placenta continue to grow to accommodate the growing baby inside of you! Just six weeks ago, your uterus weighed about 5 ounces. This week it now weighs 8.75 ounces! The amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby is increasing and there is about 7.5 ounces of fluid. You will easily be able to feel your uterus approximately three inches below your navel.

This is an important week for testing and you will most likely have an AFP test done. This is a harmless blood test that is done to detect abnormalities such as Down's syndrome or spina bifida. This is a non-invasive test and it carries no risk to your developing baby. Most doctors will offer the test, but in most cases it is completely optional.

Your milk glands start production at this time and this causes some tenderness and swelling in early pregnancy. Your veins will become more visible because there is an increased amount of blood flowing to the breasts. 


Five and a half inches tall and only six ounces in weight. The child can grasp with his hands, kick, or even somersault.

At this time, your baby is holding her head erect. Because her muscles are developing, she can make some faces now. Your baby is able to squint, frown and open its mouth. There is enough calcium in the bones that they will show up on an x-ray. Your baby's fingernails are well formed now and the legs are longer than the arms. Because your baby is moving well now, you may begin to feel his movements! Some women say that the early movements feel like gas bubbles or a slight flutter. If you have not yet felt the baby move, don't worry. Fetal movements are usually felt between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy.
You may feel your heart beating 'louder'. This is because there is a lot more blood in your body than normal. (about 20-25% more)