Third Trimester

We have made it into the third trimester! This news is very exciting, as out doctor told us at our 28 week appointment yesterday that 99% of the babies born at 28 weeks survive. Obviously our little guy would have to spend a lot of time in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), but the survival rate at this point is very comforting! That is the 28.5 week belly shot:)

Baby J is gaining weight, which is smoothing out many of the wrinkles in his skin. He is about 15 inches long and weighs about 2.5 pounds. The smooth brain tissue is continuing to develop folds and wrinkles as it increases in mass. Brain functions that developed this week include breathing and maintaining body temperature. Lanugo hair is starting to disappear over the body, but eyebrows, eyelashes and the hair on his head is growing and bone marrow has taken over the production of his red blood cells from the liver.

The 28 week appointment is a busy one! I started off by drinking a sugar drink (glucola). I heard it was really gross, but it just tasted like flat orange pop with a weird after taste. I don't like pop, but it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. They use this to test for any signs of diabetes. I accidentally scheduled this appointment for the last day of the semester when my students bring me lots of yummy treats:( I was told beforehand not to eat lots of sugar before the appointment so I had to resist! This was tough, but I managed tried many of the goodies as soon as we got home from the appointment:)  I am not at all worried about the results of this test since I regularly test my blood sugar with a glucose meter just for fun:) I had to wait an hour before getting my blood drawn so we had a good talk with our doctor and heard the heartbeat - this is always SO amazing and reminds us what a miracle this whole process really is.

The last item on our agenda was getting the Rhogam shot. The mother really only needs this shot if she is Rh-negative and the father is is Rh-positive (which Justin is), but they give it to all Rh-negative mother's just to be safe. I get one shot now and one after the baby is born if he happens to be Rh-positive. The purpose of this shot is to protect the baby and any subsequent Rh-positive babies that we might have. If some of the baby's red blood cells leak into my system, my body will produce antibodies that can cross the placenta and destroy the red blood cells in the baby or in the next Rh-positive baby we have. In most cases the mother is not exposed to the baby's blood until giving birth, meaning the first baby is not affected. However, the baby's blood often leaks into the mother during delivery. Since I am Rh-negative, the next Rh-positive baby we have could have problems if I were to develop antibodies.  

Dad has also been working hard in preparation for baby J. Sometimes it seems as though he is just making a big mess and tracking saw dust though out the house for fun but the crib project is coming to an end! As the pieces are coming together I can tell Justin is very excited about his new son! He has just about finished the front and back pieces in the picture below and I am impressed! The real challenge this week was constructing a curved handrail for the side pieces. As usual, Justin saw it, took it, and succeeded like a wood champion:) When I came home on Thursday Justin was was eager to explain how I may now call him "Japedo, the Wood GOD!"  Justin (being modest as usual) was really excited that everything had worked out beautifully. I cannot wait until the crib is done so we can work on putting the Baby J's room together! Justin usually doesn't like to show off his work until it is finally completed but I was able to sneak a few pictures while Justin was in the shower:)