When we found out we were expecting, both Craig and I signed up to email updates from a number of baby websites. These sites will send you weekly fact sheets about the progression of your pregnancy; what I can expect, and the development of baby. For the first few weeks, there was much discussion about fertilisation, cell formation and the settling of the egg inside my tummy. This was hugely interesting but a little too scientific to make an exciting update for the wider family. Now, as we enter week 6, things have ramped up a gear and baby is growing at pace!
Emma’s Diary says the following:
Emma's Diary - The highs and lows of pregnancy and being a mum
“Your baby is now the size of a pea (about 8 mm (1/4 inch) in length) and is growing like crazy, sprouting eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin. Her little hands and feet, still webbed like paddles could be moving by the end of week 6 and her heart is beating almost twice as fast as yours (150 beats per minute).
Up until this point, your baby has been curled up with the head and tail close together. This week their trunk and neck are beginning to grow and straighten and the tail recedes into its resting position in the back. Even though your little miracle is only 6 weeks old, she is already capable of demonstrating reflex responses to touch.”
It’s amazing of think of our baby stretching his or her little feet inside my tummy! It’s also fascinating that baby is now 8mm, when I reported only 6 days ago he or she was only 1.25mm. For me, it’s almost like, during these first few weeks, nature is drawing the outline of baby, and then will colour him or her in during the second trimester. These first developments are so exciting as they are determining what baby will look like before his or her tiny bodily systems are formed; right now, baby can breathe, feel and sense her surroundings through mummy, just so long as her tiny frame is continuing to grow!!
The fact they can now feel the walls of their temporary home inside my tummy also makes me even more aware of how I’m sitting, sleeping and moving around throughout the day. I’m so lucky to be carrying around this precious tiny being!
The Huggie’s Club update was very similar to Emma’s Diary with a few extra little gems. Apparently baby is now visible as a tiny blob on an ultrasound, his or her fingers are beginning to show, and baby’s retinas are forming. Also…
Foetus at 6 weeks
“The kidneys and liver are growing fast, and the neural tube closes, connecting the brain to the spinal cord. The umbilical cord is now fully formed and the embryo floats in a fluid-filled sac, which provides vital support until the placenta takes over completely at about 12 weeks into your pregnancy”
I will admit to having a little wobble the other day. My lower tummy was cramping and the nausea appeared to have passed. Whilst walking around Tesco on Sunday, I broke the news to Craig that I was worried about baby and didn’t feel pregnant anymore. To reassure us, we bought another pregnancy test and thankfully all is well. It actually made my heart melt last night when I saw Craig in the living room watching Top Gear with his head simultaneously buried in What to Expect When you’re Expecting researching lower abdominal pain. As Craig wasn’t concerned at all it’s so sweet to think he looked this up for me. Apparently this pain is caused by “implantation, increased blood flow, the buildup of the uterine lining, or simply (my) uterus beginning to grow” (Heidi Murkoff). This is sooo reassuring. To know it’s actually my body changing to accommodate baby and doing something right, rather than something wrong, makes me feel so much better.
It’s amazing to think I’m now 1.5 months in! In just 7.5 months our gorgeous baby boy or girl will join our family!!! We better get building that nursery!
Gems
My Mills Baby 
Tremendous things here. I am very glad to peer your
post. Thanks so much and I am taking a look ahead to touch you.
Will you kindly drop me a mail?