weight gain

I find the baby’s growth progression really interesting. First of all, if you look at the chart, the baby gets really long and skinny really fast. It reaches 50% of its predicted birth length by 20 or 21 weeks. However, it doesn’t reach 50% of its projected birth weight until 32 or 33 weeks.

In general, I think it’s interesting to look at how often the baby’s weight doubles. Starting from week 8, the weight doubles at the following times:

Week 9 (1 week) 0.08 oz
Week 10 (1 week) 0.16 oz
Week 12 (2 weeks) 0.32 oz
Week 13 (1 week) 0.64 oz
Week 14 (1 week) 1.28 oz
Week 15 (1 week) 2.56 oz
Week 17 (1 week) 5 oz
Week 20 (3 weeks) 10 oz
Week 24 (4 weeks) 1.25 lb
Week 29 (5 weeks) 2.5 lb
Week 35 (6 weeks) 5 lb

I mean – it’s crazy. The baby is just growing at an incredible (though slowing) rate. Can you imagine doubling your weight in 6 weeks???

Anyway, at my gestation, the baby is about 1.5 pounds. That’s pretty light compared to an expected birth weight of at least 6 pounds and more likely 7.5 to 8 pounds. I feel enormous already, and the baby is going to get a heck of a lot bigger before we’re done.