People keep telling me that I'm not showing yet, but take a look at the tired eyes and the puffy cheeks and the crazy hair. Oh, you can tell I'm pregnant!Finally, I'm at the end of my first trimester. It's been a rocky road, but it's still an amazing experience. The past week or so, I've developed a lot more energy, and I'm starting to feel more like myself. I find that I'm thankful for things that I've never even had the need to notice before. Like a night without a toilet visit or a meal without indigestion.
No matter what complaints I have about the first trimester of my pregnancy, it is all worth it when I go to the doctor and hear the heart still beating. I have to admit, I've been willing myself not to worry about this. Yet, from time to time, fear creeps in, and I almost lose it. But, my husband, friends, family, and my God give me comfort.
Today was my second doctor's visit. It was the first time I heard the heartbeat through the doppler. It took the nurse several minutes to find the baby. And I lay there thinking all of those fearful thoughts that I've been fighting away. But, she finally found it, and in her broken English she asked me, "You hear it?" And I could barely answer through the huge lump in my throat. Yes, I heard it. Loud and clear.
In 8 weeks, I'll find out if we are having a boy and girl. I can't wait!
By the end of week 13:
-the baby's intestines are migrating from the umbilical cord into his or her abdomen.
-the pancreas is secreting insulin.
-all twenty teeth have formed and are waiting under the gums.
-the baby has begun to practice swallowing by taking in the surrounding amniotic fluid and passing it back in his/her urine.
-the baby can smile and his/her vocal cords are quickly developing, too.
-eyes move closer together and the ears are beginning to move to what will be their normal positions.
-This week marks the end of the embryonic period. Most of the vital systems are developed now, and baby starts really growing, at times, growing as much as an inch this week.
