04.30.09 fruit of the week.... limes!

much cuter than last week's prunes. =)

Your babies continue to grow and are now approximately the size of a large lime! The crown-to-rump length of your developing children is 1.75 to 2.4 inches each. The weight of the fetuses is approximately 8 grams each at this point. The growth of your babies is phenomenal now and your babies’ length will double in the next three weeks. The head is grossly out of proportion and is almost half of the baby’s length.



You are almost at the end of your first trimester and while changes continue to occur quickly in your babies, they are happening at a slower rate in you. Your uterus has been growing with the fetus inside of it and is now almost big enough to fill your pelvis. Your uterus may be able to be felt in your lower abdomen, above the middle of your pubic bone. You are not able to feel the babies moving inside of you at this time. You might also be noticing changes in your hair, fingernails, or skin around this time. Some women notice an increase in hair growth and nail growth during pregnancy and others lose small amounts of hair. You are burning up calories at a faster rate than you did before you became pregnant! The amount of blood being pumped around your body will increase and you might feel warmer than usual.



External genitalia are beginning to show distinguishing features and the development of male or female will be complete in three weeks. The two placenta’s blood vessels increase to provide your babies with the nutrients and oxygen he needs for continued growth. Your babies’ ears are gradually moving from the neck towards the sides of their head. Inside of your babies’ abdomen, the intestines are developing. Because the intestines are so large, some of them project into the umbilical cord and they will return to the abdomen within the next week or two.



At the size of a plumb, your babies are now able to swallow. The urinary systems function. The babies swallow and urinate the amniotic fluid and the fluid is continually replaced. The babies is kicking but the mother cannot feel it yet. All vital organs are formed and, for the most part, function normally. From now on, they will grow in size and efficiency.