1505 Eastland Drive, Suite 500
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 662-2273
Fax: (309) 662-2014
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 662-2273
Fax: (309) 662-2014
So ladies, what are you thinking of pregnancy now? It's pretty wonderful don't you think? Hopefully by now you are all feeling great and watching your beautiful body change and grow with that little one inside! If you are headed into your 16th week, your uterus is weighing about 8 3/4 ounces and is about 3 inches below your belly button or you may be closer to the half way point (20 weeks) and you will find your uterus at your belly button. Lots of changes are on the way in the next four weeks. We no longer allow you to lay flat on your back due to decreased blood flow to baby, so left side is best, but either side is OK. During these weeks you may start to experience more back pain; this is due to a hormone called Relaxin. This hormone does exactly what it sounds like- it relaxes your joints, which can cause more pain everywhere! You also may experience an increase in vaginal discharge. This is called leukorrhea. It may be white or yellow and fairly thick, this is also normal. Another normal finding during this second trimester is feeling dizzy at times. This can be caused from lower blood pressure or possibly a change in your blood sugar. We want you to keep on eating healthy, keep your fluid intake up (at least 10 bottles of water per day) and continue your vitamins.
Iron is very important to you while you are pregnant. A pregnant woman needs about 30mg per day due to the increased in your blood volume. Usually your prenatal vitamin associated with a healthy diet is an adequate source of iron, but not always. We will check your iron level with your first OB labs, again at your 28-week labs and then a final time at 36 weeks. We will start you on iron tablets if we find your level to be too low. Here are some foods high in iron; consumption of these will help keep your levels up and you feeling great!
Here are some signs of low iron:
During week 16, fine hair covers the entire baby including its head. Fingernails are well formed. During this stage of growth, the legs are longer than arms—which are both moving like crazy! This movement can be seen during your ultrasound and may possibly be felt. It is about 2 3/4 oz and is 4 1/3-4 2/3 inches long.
The baby begins to pack on the fat (adipose tissue) during week 17. This fat is very important to the baby's heat production and metabolism. If you have not felt movement yet, it will happen very soon. Baby is 4 1/2-4 3/4 inches long and weighs 3 1/2 oz.
In week 18, the rapid growth slows down a little and the baby looks more like a baby. Your little bundle of joy weighs about 5 1/4 oz and is 5-5 1/2 inches long.
Week 19 brings the baby's growth to 5 1/4-6 inches long and its weight to about 7 oz. The baby's systems such as the nervous system are continuing to develop.
Congrats!! You are at 20 weeks and have made it to the half-way point! The skin of the baby has arranged itself to form 4 different layers; the white cheesy substance that covers and protects the baby's skin has also begun to form this week. Baby is 5 2/3 long and weighs about 9 oz.
The measurements done on your baby during your ultrasound will include: