bity bean baby carrier giveaway

http://www.tryingtogogreen.com/2014/05/bitybean-baby-carrier-giveaway.html?showComment=1401827886181#c7132667884385581999

We are always looking for ways to minimize and this carrier looks like a great solution to a carrier for our new baby due in 2 weeks!
This carrier even looks like we could still carry our toddler in it for at least 6 more months, which would come in handy all summer with all the activities that we would love to do.
I hope I win!
Click over to Trying To Go Green and enter for yourself in having a chance to win one!

it's been a long time .... running?

Well I started blogging a while back and then put it down.
Life got busier.
A baby came and now is a toddler and life is still busy.
I would like to blog more, but I also have lots of other things I like to do.
The garden is enjoyable.
I would like to dust off my sewing machine.
I have packed away my paints for now, especially with a new baby on the way in 2 weeks!
I have been knitting and crocheting a lot the past year....
Family life is great.
I love being a stay at home mom.
Looking forward to the adjustments to having 2 kids at home.
Let's see how often I can post here and keep blogging....hahaha

The Third Trimester

Prenatal visits during the third trimester:

During the second and third trimester prenatal visits, your physician may check the following, depending on your current medical condition and the health of the fetus:

·                                 any current symptoms or discomforts

·                                 mother's weight

·                                 mother's blood pressure

·                                 urine test - to detect albumin (a protein) which may indicate preeclampsia or toxemia, and sugar (which may indicate hyperglycemia)

·                                 position, growth, and development of the fetus

·                                 height of the fundus (top of the uterus)

·                                 fetal heartbeat

As you begin the third trimester, your physician may change the schedule of your prenatal visits from monthly to every two weeks. Your prenatal visits may be scheduled once every week in the last month. This schedule will depend upon your medical condition, the growth and development of the fetus, and your physician's preference.

Toward the later weeks of the pregnancy (started at approximately the 38th week), a pelvic examination may be performed to determine the dilation and effacement of the cervix. Your physician will also ask about any contractions and discuss labor and delivery procedures.

What to expect during the third trimester:

The third trimester marks the home stretch, as the mother-to-be prepares for the delivery of her baby. The fetus is continuing to grow in weight and size and the body systems finish maturing. The mother may feel more uncomfortable now as she continues to gain weight and begins to have false labor contractions (called Braxton-Hicks contractions).

During the third trimester, it is a good idea to start taking childbirth classes in preparation for the big day - especially in the case of first pregnancies. If you plan to breastfeed, taking a breastfeeding class may be helpful.

During the third trimester, both the mother's body and fetus continue to grow and change.

Fetal development during the third trimester:

During the third trimester, the fetus continues to grow in size and weight. The lungs are still maturing and the fetus begins to position itself head-down. By the end of the third trimester, the fetus is about 19 to 21 inches long and weighs, on average, six to nine pounds. Fetal development during the third trimester includes:

·                                 The fetus can see and hear.

·                                 The brain continues to develop.

·                                 The kidneys and lungs continue to mature.

·                                 By the 36th week, the head may "engage" (drop into the pelvic area) - a process called "lightening."

·                                 The bones of the skull remain soft to make it easier to pass through the birth canal.

·                                 For many babies, the irises of the eyes are slate blue. The permanent eye color will not appear until several days or weeks after birth.

·                                 The fetus can suck its thumb and has the ability to cry.

·                                 By 38 to 40 weeks, the fetus' lanugo has disappeared almost completely.

·                                 By 38 to 40 weeks, the lungs have matured completely.

·                                 The baby is covered in vernix caseosa (or simply called vernix), a creamy, protective coating on the skin.

·                                 The head will usually turn downward during the last couple of weeks of pregnancy.

Changes in the mother's body:

In the third trimester, some women become increasingly uncomfortable as their due date nears. As the fetus grows in size and crowds the abdominal cavity, some mothers-to-be have difficulty taking deep breaths or getting comfortable at night for sleep, while others are free from any discomfort as they anxiously await the arrival of their new son or daughter.

The following is a list of changes and symptoms that a woman may experience during the third trimester and includes:

·                                 Increased skin temperature as the fetus radiates body heat, causing the mother to feel hot.

·                                 The increased urinary frequency returns due to increased pressure being placed on the bladder.

·                                 Blood pressure may decrease as the fetus presses on the main vein that returns blood to the heart.

·                                 Swelling of the ankles, hands, and face may occur (called edema), as the mother continues to retain fluids.

·                                 Hair may begin to grow on a woman's arms, legs, and face due to increase hormone stimulation of hair follicles. Hair may also feel coarser.

·                                 Leg cramps may become more frequent.

·                                 Braxton-Hicks contractions (false labor) may begin to occur at irregular intervals in preparation for childbirth.

·                                 Stretch marks may appear on the abdomen, breast, thighs, and buttocks.

·                                 Colostrum (a fluid in the breasts that nourishes the baby until the breast milk becomes available) may begin to leak from the nipples.

·                                 Dry, itchy skin may persist, particularly on the abdomen, as the skin continues to grow and stretch.

·                                 A woman's libido (sexual drive) may decrease.

·                                 Skin pigmentation may become more apparent, especially dark patches of skin on the face.

·                                 Constipation, heartburn, and indigestion may continue.

·                                 Increased white-colored vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) which may contain more mucus.

·                                 Backaches may persist and increase in intensity.

·                                 Hemorrhoids may persist and increase in severity.

·                                 Varicose veins in the legs may persist and increase in severity.

Month 9

Month 9
External Features: Toenails grow up to the tip of the toes and fingernails grow beyond the fingertips. The skin is fully covered in vernix caseosa (which serves to protect the epidermis) and most of the lanugo hairs are shed. By this time, the placenta weighs about 500grams and the umbilical cord becomes central in the abdomen. Organ Systems: Internally, the fetus secretes large amounts of pulmonary surfactant (a mixture of phospholipids and protein; it will eventually line the aveoli and lower the surface tension in mature lungs at birth). The tip of the spinal cord grows to the level of L3 and myelination of the brain begins. Although in female fetuses the ovaries are still above the brim of the pelvis, the testes in males have fully descended into the scrotum.

 Finally, after 40 (on average) weeks of gestation, the fetus is fully developed and ready for birth.

Month 8

Month 8
External Features: By the eighth month, the skin is pink and smooth, the eyes are capable of reacting to light and the fingernails have grown long enough to reach the tip of the fingers.
Organ Systems: Internally, at the eighth month, the hyaloid vessels nourishing the eye lens, regresses and the testes begin entering the scrotum.

Month 7

Within the three months of the third trimester, a fetus goes from incomplete development to complete, fetal maturity.

Month 7
External Features: At seven months, the fetus continues the development of hair and the scalp hairs grow beyond the length of the thin lanugo hairs that developed during the second trimester. Eyelashes are well developed and eyelids begin to open.
Organ Systems: Internally, the fetus' brain continues to develop and throughout the body subcutaneous fat storage begins. In male fetuses the testes continue descending into the scrotum.

The Second Trimester

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prenatal visits during the second trimester:

During the second and third trimester prenatal visits, your physician may check the following, depending on your current medical condition and the health of the fetus:

·                                 any current symptoms or discomforts

·                                 mother's weight

·                                 mother's blood pressure

·                                 urine test - to detect albumin (a protein) which may indicate preeclampsia or toxemia, and sugar (which may indicate hyperglycemia)

·                                 growth, size, and development of the fetus

·                                 size of the uterus - after approximately 12 weeks of gestation, the uterus can be felt through the abdominal wall

·                                 height of the fundus (top of the uterus)

·                                 fetal heartbeat

What to expect during the second trimester:

The second trimester marks a turning point for mother and fetus. The mother usually begins to feel better and will start showing the pregnancy more. The fetus has now developed all its organs and systems and will now focus on growing in size and weight.

During the second trimester, the umbilical cord continues to thicken as it carries nourishment to the fetus. However, harmful substances also pass through the umbilical cord to the fetus, so care should be taken to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other known hazards.

During the second trimester, both the mother's body and the fetus continue to grow.

Fetal development during the second trimester:

Now that all the major organs and systems have formed in the fetus, the following six months will be spent growing. The weight of the fetus will multiply more than seven times over the next few months, as the fetus becomes a baby that can survive outside of the uterus.

By the end of the second trimester, the fetus will be about 13 to 16 inches long and weighs about 2 to 3 pounds. Fetal development during the second trimester includes the following:

·                                 The fetus kicks, moves, and can turn from side to side.

·                                 The eyes have been gradually moving to the front of the face and the ears have moved from the neck to the sides of the head. The fetus can hear the mother's voice.

·                                 A creamy white substance (called vernix caseosa, or simply vernix) begins to appear on the fetus and helps to protect the thin fetal skin. Vernix is gradually absorbed by the skin, but some may be seen on babies even after birth.

·                                 The fetus is developing reflexes such as swallowing and sucking.

·                                 The fetus can respond to certain stimuli.

·                                 The placenta is fully developed.

·                                 The brain will undergo its most important period of growth from the 5th month on.

·                                 Fingernails have grown on the tips of the fingers and toes, and the fingers and toes are fully separated.

·                                 The fetus goes through cycles of sleep and wakefulness.

·                                 Skin is wrinkly and red, covered with soft, downy hair (called lanugo).

·                                 Hair is growing on the head of the fetus.

·                                 Fat begins to form on the fetus.

·                                 Eyelids are beginning to open and the eyebrows and eyelashes are visible.

·                                 Fingerprints and toeprints have formed.

·                                 Rapid growth is continuing in fetal size and weight.

·                                 The 20th week marks the halfway point of the pregnancy.

A fetus born at the end of 24 weeks may survive in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Changes in the mother's body:

The second trimester is the most physically enjoyable for most women. Morning sickness usually abates by this time and the extreme fatigue and breast tenderness usually subsides. These changes can be attributed to a decrease in levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone and an adjustment to the levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones.

The following is a list of changes and symptoms that may occur during the second trimester:

·                                 Appetite may increase.

·                                 The mother may be able to feel the movement of the fetus for the first time - a phenomenon called quickening - by 20 weeks.

·                                 The uterus has grown to the height of the belly button, making the pregnancy visible.

·                                 The skin on the belly may itch as it grows and there may be pain down the sides of the body as the uterus stretches. The lower abdomen may ache as ligaments stretch to support the uterus.

·                                 The need to frequently urinate may decrease as the uterus grows out of the pelvic cavity, relieving pressure on the bladder.

·                                 A mother's nose may become congested and she may experience nosebleeds. This is due to the increase in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that affect the mucous membranes in the nose.

·                                 A woman's gums become more spongy and may bleed easily. This is due to the increase in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that affect the mucous membranes in the mouth.

·                                 Varicose veins and hemorrhoids may appear.

·                                 A woman may have a white-colored vaginal discharge called leukorrhea. (A colored or bloody discharge may signal possible complications and should be examined immediately.)

·                                 The increasing weight gain may cause backaches.

·                                 Skin pigmentation may change on the face or abdomen due to the pregnancy hormones.

·                                 Heart burn, indigestion, and constipation may continue.