Grain of Rice

Elizabeth and I had an appointment this week where we were again able to hear and see the baby. You can listen to the heartbeat here. We saw the outstretched legs and the baby’s profile and face. It was moving a lot so our doctor wasn’t able to get a clear view to determine the sex. In about a month, at the next appointment she will do an extensive sonogram to measure everything and will probably be able to be sure about the sex. I don’t think either of us has a preference at this point though Elizabeth had her first baby dream this week and it was a boy. One of the secretaries at the conservatory however is sure it will be a girl and scoffs at any talk otherwise.

So here is what’s going on:
Our grain of rice is 15 weeks old and almost 5 inches long now. It has developed a full répertoire of facial expressions. The body is covered by an ultrafine hair called lanugo and eyebrows and eyelashes are beginning to grow. The joints are fully functional and all the baby’s limbs can move. It’s making initial sucking, swallowing and breathing motions and is probably sucking its thumb.

Elizabeth’s enlarged heart is pumping about 20% more blood than before pregnancy. This volume will increase throughout the pregnancy for an ending increased heart output of 30-50%. The uterus is the size of a small melon and it feels cool. She can’t feel the baby moving yet but looks forward to a couple weeks from now when the baby books say she will. She’s definitely growing and looking cute in maternity clothes.