BLOG 39 – A REAL LITTLE HUMAN BEING IN THERE

Recap for Blog 39 – A real little human being in there!: In her first trimester, once Zani grasps the importance of the Moro reflex, she is determined to keep moving to “startle” her baby and, at the same time, keep touching her tummy to calm the little one down.

The next three weeks pass with relative ease. I am starting to feel myself again, empowered by all the knowledge, loved by Jake and supported by Vee and midwife Miriam.

My checklist shows neat and clear ticks next to each of the points indicating developmental milestones for the first trimester on Miriam’s email.

WEEK 11

• Yolk sac has served its purpose; blood cells are now formed in liver and spleen
• Bone marrow soon starts producing blood cells
• Foetus is floating in amniotic fluid, tiny body bent forward
• Foetus is not exposed to most infections (placenta filters them out, except rubella and syphilis)
• Foetus is floating in amniotic fluid at 37.5 degrees, a little warmer than Mom and hence she feels like she has an internal heater
• Foetus’ body jerks, hiccups, flexes and relaxes arms and legs in response to Moro reflex
• Fingers can clearly be discerned

Whew! There’s a real little human being in there …

WEEK 12

• Foetus is now 90 mm long
• The pathway between the balance centre [Jake has made a note: vestibular system] and the brain is complete and the first of all the pathways to mature
• Cartilage is softer and more malleable than bone and forms the initial skeleton. Bone shafts begin to show through the translucent skin, but will only become solid bones once the baby has been born.

 Jake and I – and Little One, of course – celebrate the end of the first trimester with a night at the Cradle. This is how memories are made…

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