Week 27

Week Twenty-Seven

* Your little one's brain continues its rapid growth. Don't forget to share music, conversation, and even books with your baby!
* Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. Your baby's hearing continues to develop, he or she may start to recognize your voice as well as your partner's.
* Lungs continue to grow and prepare for functioning outside of the womb. Each day in the womb greatly increases survival rates!
* He also continues to take small breaths and although he's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when he's born.
* Eyelids are now open more. Your baby can distinguish between light and dark.
Retinas have formed.
* Your baby will grow over ½ inch this week alone! You may suspect this phenominal growth rate repeats in the preteen years!

One month down...Two to go!!!

We were admitted to the hospital 4 weeks ago tomorrow...I'm still trying to decide if time is going by quickly or extremely slowly!

Here are the highlights of our stay so far (keep in mind, I only have one hand to type with and I am kind of foggy due to all the meds :)...
When we first checked in, my contractions were every 3-5 minutes, got hooked up to an IV of Magnesium (I'm convinced its really poison) in my arm and a Terbuteline pump in my leg. So far we've been able to control everything and we've pretty much been cruising by with little to no problems. We did have a little scare though this past Monday night when my water broke and Lathan's heart rate started taking some dips. Turns out it was actually Logan's bag that burst, the best scenario for the situation. Since he is the lowest baby his head is actually plugging the leak (Patrick has nick named him "cork boy"). They've added an antibiotic to my IV, increased the magnesium, restricted my activities even more and now monitor the babies and my contractions a few more times each day. If all stays like it is, Dr. Kirshon says that we shouldn't have a problem making it until mid June. Hopefully my belly won't pop before then! Each baby weighs about 2 pounds 3 ounces and all are very active. Hopefully we'll get some ultrasound photos posted soon, although the hospital only does the old fashioned ultrasounds; not nearly as fun as the 3 and 4d's we're used to!!!

Thanks to everyone for the visits, goodies, flowers, well wishes, cookies, meals (Mom sure is keeping all 5 of us fed well, bringing us dinner most every night...WOW!), and a really special thanks to Kenny and Dana who have gotten us set up with a fantastic laptop and internet connection.

Now if they would only allow Spongebob to stay with us and come up with wireless/needle-less IV's I would have nothing to complain about!!!

Week 26

Week Twenty-Six

* To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments.
* Air sacs in the lungs form now.
* Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is born.
* Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, your baby's eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week. Depending on ethnicity, some babies will be born with blue or gray-blue eyes (which may change color in the first 6 months of life) and some will be born with brown or dark eyes.
* Retinas begin to form.
* Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable.
* Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is working.

Catching up!!!

Week Twenty-Three

* Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since he hasn't begun to form body fat.
* Bones located in the middle ear harden.
* Your baby is able to hear. (Dads, did you know: low-frequency sounds mimicking a male voice penetrate the abdomen and uterine wall better than the higher frequencies of the female voice?) * The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.
* The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.
* If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day. * The average baby at this stage weighs 1.1 pound (501gm) and is 11.38 inches (28.9cm) long.

Week Twenty-Four

* Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.
* His body begins to fill out with his appearance increasingly becoming more like a newborn.
* Taste buds begin to form. If mom drinks something strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing his distaste.
* Little creases have appeared on his palms. The muscular coordination of his hands has improved as he sucks his thumb.
* Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.
* His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.
* This week your baby is officially considered viable.

Week Twenty-Five

* The structures of the spine begin to form -- joints, ligaments and rings. These will protect the all important spinal cord which serves as the information transmitter for your child's body.
* Blood vessels of the lungs develop.
* Your baby's nostrils begin to open. There is a study out of Belfast that suggests babies at this stage have the capability of scent preferences!
* The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now. When baby is rooting for food later on, these will be valuable!
* His swallowing reflexes are developing.
* Dexterity is improving. Your baby can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in palm.