At this stage the baby weighs about 1,350 grams (3 lbs) and measures about 40 cm in length from head to toe (15.75 inches).
The baby is now developing a special layer of fat called brown adipose tissue (or BAT). BAT is the baby's main source of heat production after birth (similar to the fat of hibernating animals). Newborns have a limited ability to shiver, sweat or move to regulate their own body temperature. By 40 weeks, BAT makes up 2 to 7 % of the baby's total body weight. Premature babies have trouble keeping warm after birth because they lack BAT. This is why they are cared for with overhead heaters or humidicribs in intensive care nurseries.
So apart from a ever expanding girth ( will get a photo on soon, I promise) I am doing OK. The pregnancy is going well and the little man is moving all the time. I am getting extreme back pain when I sleep and try to turn over or get up. I have spoken to the doctor and its just my ligaments stretching and not being happy about it. Apparently its going to get worse not better..lucky me.
The heart burn has settled down and apart from being tired late in the day I am feeling good.
I have started to nest. We have moved Meg and Matthew around. Matthew is now in the smaller bedroom as he is by himself and we have moved Meg into the big room as she will be sharing her room with the baby once he goes into his cot, as well as Sharon (Darian's sister) will be sharing with Meg when shy flies from South Africa in May....
I have done all the shopping I need for the baby, apart from nappies. I Will get them once I know how big this boy will be...
The girls are doing fine, they love their new school and have started walking too and from. This has been making my life a bit easier.
Eloise is loving her riding lessons. She has started to canter this past weekend.
Talia's big news is that I finally got her seen by a orthodontist....and just after her birthday she will be fitted with a plate to start moving that front tooth back. She will still need top and bottom braces but not until she is 13 or 14.
Matthew has just had a growth spurt, he has gotten tall all of the sudden and his speech is slowly getting better. He is seeing a O.T once a week who is not only working on his fine motor skills but is working on his balance and coordination.
Matthew has also started going to daycare one day a week, he has only been once and enjoyed it. They are aware of his delays and are really good with him....
So that's it in a nut shell. I will get Talia to take some photos this afternoon and post them.... :)
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