Week 25

We started week 25 of the pregnancy on Friday, April 13th, 2012.  Everything during this week went smoothly and exactly as it should be going. I am feeling a lot more movement and can't believe how small I really am. People comment all the time on how small my belly is for having twins. Both boys are still laying sideways across my belly.  I am very excited because in just a week, the dads will both be here in Iowa to see my family, go to the 3D ultrasound and take our maternity photos!!!! I can't wait for them to see Iowa and really get the feel for how this pregnancy is going in real life, instead of just pictures on an email.

Here is some info on week 25:

	Week Twenty Five: Exploration continues
	You are 25 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 23 weeks) The unborn child is 34 cm in length and weighs almost 690 grams. Baby is around 13.5 inches in length and weighs 1 and half pounds. Bones are becoming solid, hands are now fully developed. The brain is growing rapidly, the brain cells are starting to mature. The sexual organs are fully developed. Baby is now pretty well built portion wise even though it still has little body fat and its skin is thin. The structures of the spine begin to form -- All 33 rings, 150 joints and 1000 ligaments. The tiny brain is growing rapidly, and the baby is starting to fill the space in your uterus. The uterus is now about the size of a soccer ball and mom looks pregnant. Your baby's hands are now fully developed, although some of the nerve connections to the hands have a long way to go. Dexterity is improving. Your baby can make a fist and clasp objects placed in palm. Exploring the structures inside your uterus may have become baby's prime entertainment. Fascinated by the amount of tactile stimulation a fetus gives itself; it touches a hand to the face, one hand to the other hand, clasps its feet, touches its foot to its leg, its hand to its umbilical cord. Twins will explore each other and begin their bonding. Blood vessels of the lungs develop. Your baby's nostrils begin to open. The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now. Their swallowing reflexes are developing. Baby can hear sounds outside the womb and the brain cells are starting to mature also. Already it can learn and remember and can recognise its mother and fathers voice. The inner ear bones have hardened so hearing is more acute. Baby may hear your partner's voice more easily than yours, as baby is sensitive to a deeper pitch. Babies born at 25 weeks of pregnancy have about a 50% chance of survival.