Hello 2nd Trimester!

Punkin is now quite active & his/her muscle responses have been changed from mechanical & puppetlike to smooth & fluid, like a newborn's. Punkin is now approx 3" in length.

Much progress has taken place in the development of Punkin's mouth. The bony palate, or roof of the mouth, has been complete for some weeks, the sucking muscles are filling out the cheeks, the tooth buds are under the gums, and the esophagus, windpipe, & larynx are present. Punkin's vocal cords have now formed in the larynx. Punkin's salivary glands have begun to function. Punkin has started to make breathing, sucking & swallowing motions!

Punkin's neck is now well defined. The head now rests on the neck instead of the shoulders.

Punkin's arms have almost reached their final proportions relative to body size, but the legs are still quite short. Punkin's hand is becoming more & more functional. He/She is beginning to move his/her thumb in opposition to the other fingers.

Punkin's liver is now secreting bile & the pancreas is now producing insulin. Punkin's spleen is has assumed functions supervised by the liver: the removal of old red blood cells & the production of antibodies.

The intestines have formed into folds & are lined w/nutrient-extracting villi.

Amy has lost a couple pounds (now weighing 2 lbs less than when she got pregnant), but the doctor doesn't seem to be concerned about it at this point. She's been less emotional (though it still happens from time to time), has started to get through most days without a nap, is less nauseous & her appetite is good! Hello 2nd trimester!!!

Our last appt showed growth & a strong heartbeat still, so things are looking great!