24 Weeks & Admitted

What’s Will up to? Baby is now so fully formed that he would be capable of living outside the womb if an emergency arose. His lungs, though still very immature, could breathe air if need be. Though the brain is much more formed now, the cerebral cortex--the place in the brain responsible for the most sophisticated mental activity (thoughts, consciousness, memory, language)--is not yet functional. The complex human brain, which makes us so different from other primates and mammals, takes much longer to come out of the embryonic stage than any other part of the fetus. In fact, a baby's brain will not be fully formed until after cooking for nine months in the womb and living outside the womb for about a year, during which time it will nearly triple in size!

Appointment: My appointment was on 3.16.12 was with my Peri. We found that the bag of water is pushing on my cerclage and beyond the clerclage on the ultrasound but the Dr. wasn’t able to feel it so that is good news. Once I saw the ultrasound, I knew it was off to the hospital for a stay. I left the appointment to go straight to the hospital for the remainder of our pregnancy. I feel good about this so that I am already here if I need someone or something. We met with someone from the NICU who talked to us about what to expect delivery day and beyond, it was very helpful and put our minds at ease a lot. He biggest thing for him was to make it to 26 weeks and then he will be able to breathe. We didn’t tour the NICU yet, we are going to wait until I have at least one more ultrasound to see how stable my cerclage is.

Bed Rest/Hospital Stay: 8 weeks complete at home. The Dr. is hoping that I make it to 34 weeks at the hospital. I know I mentally can do this. Paying my body also can do this to 34 weeks or beyond. The food is terrible here, I am really going to miss the yummy meals from our friends and family. I am going to take a week off of work and then we will determine if I will continue working or if I will begin my leave.

Highlights: My aunt made my favorite meal, Corned Beef, Cabbage and Red Potatoes for St. Patty’s Day! This was the last meal I enjoyed at home before coming to the hospital. What a wonderful way to end the week!!

My body: I am up 14 pounds total and my tummy has grown 13” total.