23 WEEKS PREGNANT!!!!!

Dear Baby Gracyn,
Mommy is 23 weeks pregnant! WOOT! One more week to viability! Of course we in no way want to meet you this soon, but it is reassuring to know that we are getting closer to that magic number where you will have a chance of survival outside of the womb. I looked back at your cousin, Nevaeh's blog and noticed that I posted news about our nearest big city being more and more successful at saving babies born as early as 22 weeks, with a lot of medical intervention....that was 3 years ago!!!! :-).

According to Babycenter your sense of movement is well developed by now. This explains how your sleep patterns changed when Mommy had all of her restrictions lifted due to the placenta migrating off of the cervix....Mommy started her 12 hour nursing shifts at night....and her busy night movement rocks you to sleep here and there with period of active wake time.... Especially in the morning when she tries to get some sleep....You are wide awake! You are now more than 11 inches long and should weigh just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), Mommy is able to see you squirm and kick! The blood vessels in your lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing you for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as the dogs barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze you when you hear them outside the womb. At least we hope not! The dogs are loud when company arrives!

Mommy has noticed that her ankles and feet are starting to swell, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer....Already 90 degrees and it's only May....YIKES. I hate to see what August brings!. (BTW- walking around at a zoo at nearly 6 months pregnant = bad idea!) This is due to sluggish circulation in the legs — coupled with changes in the blood chemistry that may cause some water retention — may result in swelling, also known as edema. Her body will get rid of the extra fluid after she gives birth to you....this is why Mommy pees frequently and will most likely sweat a lot for a few days after delivery. In the meantime, Mommy can lie on her left side or put her feet up when she can! I actually gave her a foot massage the other day to try and help the swelling go down! I must love her, because I HATE feet....except cute little baby feet!

One week to viability!
Can't wait to post then!
Love Always, Grandma Dason!