25 Down, 15 To Go!

We hit another milestone today - the 25 Week mark!

What does that mean?

First - it means that Grovie is still hanging in there! I was 23 weeks along when I was admitted to the hospital. Getting to 24 weeks was the primary objective because I could then get the steroids (to develop baby's lungs) and 24 weeks is the gestational age of "viability." Before 24 weeks, a baby has about a 15% chance of survival if born. At 24 weeks, a baby has a 50% chance of survival at the NICU. That goes up to 80% once we get to 28 weeks. So based on basic math, we've moved up to 58% chance of survival!

Second - it means that new things are happening with Grovie's development. Here's what happens at 25 weeks:

- Hands are fully developed and Grovie spends most of his/her awake time "groping around in the darkness"

- Brain and nerve endings are developed enough that Grovie can feel the sensation of touch

- Grovie's nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, clear out ("like s/he's taken a super-dose of Sudafed) and s/he can practice breathing through the nose

- The structures of Grovie's spine are now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings and some 1,000 ligaments

Third - If we can make it to full term, getting to 25 weeks = ONLY 15 MORE WEEKS OF BED REST!!! One day I'm going to think back on this time and wish for it back. Weeks and weeks of nothingness. Sleeping. Being served every meal. Catching up on Young & the Restless. But right now I'm allowed to complain about it!

Did you know you'd learn so much reading this post?