30 Weeks

We're in the 30s!  Only 10 weeks to go.

This week the baby is the size of a zucchini (16 inches and 3 pounds!).  It seems like once we get into the 30s I worry less and less about a premature baby.  I know that a baby born at 30 weeks would still need lots of medical attention, but a 3-pound baby is definitely in the realm of viability and that gives me a lot of comfort.

Chocolate Chip likely has hair and is now able to open his or her eyes wide enough to distinguish what is around him or her.  The baby is also growing fingernails and grabbing the umbilical cord and his or her feet to practice the grabbing skill.  Finally the baby's blood marrow is producing red blood cells.  I can't explain why, but this means that the baby will be more likely to thrive at birth than it would have previously.  

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and will go again in 2 weeks.  The same pattern will continue until week 36, at which point I will go weekly and include non-stress tests to listen to the baby's heart rate over a period of time.  Only 10 weeks unitl March 18!