26 weeks- lettuce

Well, I have completed a week and a half of bed rest now, and my BP seems to be improving with the rest and medication. I fully hope to make it to 37 weeks now. 39 would be better, yes, but at least at 37 she'd be full term. My swelling is completely gone, and I have been monitoring my BP at home too. It runs right around 120/70, so that's much improved.

I went to UIC this week, and told the doc that I was on bedrest and meds for the blood pressure and she asked who put me on them. I told her it was Dr. A, and she said she had no idea that I was seeing another OB. What??? After a long conversation, I figured that had I been seeing her once every 6 weeks (like I should have been) then I would have two more weeks of sick time. I was furious. I had to keep seeing her twice a month because whoever entered my info in the computer (the info from the lost referrals, ironically) entered me as a total transfer of care. it says right on the ottom of the paper NOT a total transfer.

So I don't have to go back there for a month, and am very happy about that! When I do go back, I will get my first growth u/s, and find out just how big she is!

Here's what's going on inside this week, according to the bump.



Wow! Can you believe baby has eyelashes at 26 weeks? And she’s amping up to start batting them soon. At this point, it probably feels like this baby (who you haven’t even met yet) has taken over your life. She’s interfering with your sleep. She’s messing with your brain. (Forget much?) She might even be giving you a stress headache or two. It’s normal to be experiencing some mild swelling, but around week 26, it’s important to watch out for swelling severe or sudden -- it could be the sign of a dangerous condition called preeclampsia. Notice your belly occasionally feeling really tight? That’s a contraction. Yup, already. Don’t freak out though -- your body is just practicing some tightening in preparation for labor. As long as the contractions aren’t steady or severe, you’re not in labor.

Your baby's the size of a head of lettuce!

She's still growing in the 13.6- to 14.8-inch and 1.5- to 2.5-pound range, and developing her senses, features and talents!


your baby at 26 weeks

Her eyes are forming, and his eyes will soon start to open.
And her eyelashes are now grown, too.
She's getting her immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies.
She's taking breaths, too. They're of amniotic fluid, not air, but it's still good practice.