Week 29 - 11 weeks to go...

At this point in the pregnancy, Anna's crown-to-rump length is approximately 10.4 inches and her total length is around 16.7 inches. She weighs about 2.7 pounds and continues to grow every day.

Babies that are born prematurely can be very tiny. Even a baby that is only a few weeks early can be very small. Anna will grow rapidly from now until week 36, and then at a slower rate thereafter. Generally, boys weigh more than girls at birth. The average baby's birth weight at full term is 7 to 7.5 pounds.

Anna will continue to open and close her eyes in the womb and may be able to see silhouettes of objects or even people in the right amount of light. She should be moving many times throughout the day. Some of her movements are predictable and studies say that if you notice a decrease in fetal movements, you should lie down and do a fetal kick count. We should feel her move approximately ten times in an hour. And Laura said she feels her about 30-40 times in an hour so Miss Anna is doing just fine on the kick count. We tried out the “light test” mentioned above on Sunday night, by taking a light and putting it near Laura’s stomach about where Anna should be. We didn’t notice very much movement. But then I got down and started talking to her, and we could definitely notice movement. She was definitely punching, pushing, and kicking. I think she wanted daddy to leave her alone so she and mommy could rest.

One last thing, since there are only 11 weeks left until her arrival, I wanted to let everyone know that the baby blog will not end with Anna Marie Smith’s birth. The title of the blog will change from “Waiting on a Baby” to “Raising a Baby”. That way, everyone can keep up with Anna’s progress and I will defiantly post more pictures that I do now 

Week 28

As I let you all in on, we have a special guest blogger this week. I had my wife write a little note for the blog. But before I let you know what she has to say, let me tell you what is going on with Anna Marie this week. Anna’s brain continues to develop and is now forming the folds and grooves of a fully developed brain. The amount of tissues within the brain also continues to increase in large amounts. The hair that covers her scalp is also getting longer.


Now a little word from Mommy-to-be!!

Well I have to start by saying I super excited about meeting our little girl in less than 3 months...hopefully :) Every day I can see and feel her moving and growing inside of me, which is the most amazing feeling in the world! Anna has yet to show us her little face in the ultrasounds. The ultrasound tech said she must be shy, but we all know that’s probably not true since she has Derrick and I as parents! She is currently weighing in at 2 lbs and 5 oz. I have so many feelings everyday about being Anna’s mom… Am I going to know what to do when she cries at night, will I be able to handle going back to work after just 3 months, and just how much will our lives change forever??? It’s comforting to know that we will have the support of two awesome families during this time! I am overwhelmed with excitement and joy and cannot wait to see, kiss, hug, and hold our little girl! Everyday my love for her gets stronger and stronger… And for the record Anna has the best daddy ever! I am so proud of Derrick! He does such a good job of taking care of me every day. I can only imagine Derrick with our little girl in his arms!
--Laura

Week 27 - The Third Trimester

Laura has now entered her third trimester, and last, of her pregnancy! Anna’s crown-to-rump length is about 9.6 inches and your baby's total length is approximately 15.3 inches! She now weighs about 2 pounds 3 ounces and is going to grow rapidly during this last trimester! Anna is now the size of a head of cauliflower

If Anna was born now, she would have an 85% chance of surviving. Even though she is still not fully developed, she would be well within the limits of premature viability. We still have approximately 13 weeks left of the pregnancy, and during this time Anna must continue to grow and develop. If she was born at this time, she would have several complications that would require special attention. Because babies do not have adequate amounts of fat at this time, she would have to be kept inside of an incubator for warmth. Because the air sacs in her lungs do not yet have surfactant, she would require an artificial respirator. Her brain, liver, and immune system still need to develop more also.

Over the last few weeks, we have felt Anna kick/punch/push on Laura. She is very active which I think is a good sign. On next week’s blog, I should have a better idea on her due date. They are doing another ultra sound to determine if they need to change the due date. Stay tuned!!!

Week 26

This week, Anna’s crown-to-rump length is approximately 9.2 inches. That is her length from the top of her head to her bottom and does not include her leg measurements! She weighs almost 2 pounds and is beginning to put on weight.

After a month of having her eyelids sealed shut, she begins to open her eyes again this week. Her eyes are almost completely developed. Anna’s eyes are blue in the womb and may change colors later in life. This is true for all races because the pupils do not have their final color until a few months after birth. However, some babies are born with darker or lighter shades of blue. She will continue to put on layers of fat until she is born. She is still lean at this point of the pregnancy though. By the time she is born, she will assume the typical newborn's plumpness. Her skin will still be wrinkled and red, but the fat continues to fill the skin out.

Finger and toe nails continue to grow.

Blood vessels start to develop in the lungs to prepare the baby for life in the outside world.

Anna’s blood circulation is completely functional. The umbilical cord system continues to grow and thicken as blood travels with considerable force through the body to nurture her.

Even though it is still way too soon for your baby to be born yet, the chance of survival without severe abnormalities is now 70% provided it is born in a hospital.