Week 25, Feb. 5- Feb. 11

Thursday, February 5th (112 days to go)
Had a doctor's appointment today. You'll have to go visit the page for that to find out how it went. :)

Baby Update: The smallest blood vessels of the body - the capillaries - are beginning to develop under the baby's skins. As blood fills these new vessels, they give the baby's skin a red or pinkish appearance, because teh blood in the capillaries is visible. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Friday, February 6th (111 days to go)
Ella has been a very active baby the last couple of days (and so far this morning). And I think she may have turned over since most of the movement I feel now is above the bellybutton, but I won't know that for sure until the ultrasound in 3 weeks.

I forgot to mention on the doctor appointment page for yesterday's visit that I'm not taking the gestational diabetes test *because* my uterus measured a little high. I was all ready slated to take that test at the next visit. It's routine these days, even though gestational diabetes only affects 1-2% of all pregnancies.

Baby Update: The baby continues to practice reflex movements that will be essential to its survival after birth. It's lips and mouth are sensitive, and if the baby's hand floats near its mouth, it may suck its thumb or fingers. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Saturday, February 7th (110 days to go)
Baby Update: The baby will develop a strong grip during this month - far more powerful than that of the infant soon after birth. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Sunday, February 8th (109 days to go)
Cold #2 for this pregnancy is gearing up. :(

Baby Update: Gradually, the baby's fingernails and toenails lengthen. They are growing from the nail beds and are beginning to cover the nail itself. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Monday, February 9th (108 days to go)
The sore throat left me after less than 36 hours, but I actually feel worse today. Just more "blah", more stuffy, some congestion in my lungs. :( And I need to go grocery shopping today... there's no chicken noodle soup in the house.

Here is this Monday's heartbeat sound. And here is what Baby Center has to say about development at 25 weeks. Should weigh in at about 1 1/2 lbs, and 12 1/2" in length. Also, much more responsive to touch.

Baby Update: Over the next three days, blood vessels will develop in the baby's lungs. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Tuesday, February 10th (107 days to go)
I spoke too soon about the sore throat. The lump-in-the-throat sore throat went away after 36 hours, but then 36 hours after that I've got the scratchy-throat sore throat. Done a little bit of coughing too. I don't like being sick... especially when I can't take the heavy duty cold medicines. Pregnancy is rough!

I have heard recently about two May baby's who were born all ready. A lot of you may have seen one of the baby's on television. The other one I read about on a messageboard. It's amazing to me, because as I type all of the baby updates on this site I think "that little baby's nostrils were plugged up when it was born", or "that baby was born before blood vessels existed in its lungs". I hope Ella stays put as long as possible so that everything that is supposed to happen to her little developing body gets done before she is born.

One such baby's name is Ty Brinkman. You can see some amazing pictures of him at www.jimanddoni.com. He was born at 25 weeks, 2 pounds.

Baby Update: The baby's nostrils (which until now have been plugged) begin to open. By today, blood vessels will have developed in the lungs. After birth, these vessels will allow blood to flow through the lungs to intercept oxygen and circulate it to the baby's tissues. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Wednesday, February 11th (106 days to go)
I think my cold is on the way out (knock on wood). My last cold only lasted a couple of days so I'm hoping the same is happening here. I think having to drink all of this water and taking vitamins everyday helps to fight off the colds. I thought I had heard that colds tended to last longer when you're pregnant but that doesn't seem to be the case with me (again, knock on wood).

I may need to ask the doctor at the next visit about scheduling an induction. There's too much going on passed the baby's due date. Mainly, my birthday and my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary... she can't be late! I'm sure if we make it the full 40 weeks I'd be glad to go through an induction. :)

Baby Update: During this month, the buds for the baby's permanent teeth will come in, high in the gums behind the baby teeth (I thought I had read that this had all ready happened?). The baby's spine will be made up of 33 rings, 150 joints, and 1,000 ligaments, all of which are used to support its body weight. All of those structures will begin to form during this month. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.