Baby Story (big bang to big push)

0-5 weeks:
Although my life is so brand new
I've been traveling now for days.
My journey needs to take me
To a soft, safe place to stay.

I feel a sense of weightlessness
As I'm floating up and down.
My hands are forming fingers
But cannot yet wiggle them around.

5-10 weeks:
My heart has started fluttering
And my body is changing shape.
My head is resting on my chest
Which now grows at a steady rate.

As I'm stretching out a little
I can feel my legs and arms.
I can taste the fluid I float in
It doesn't do me any harm.

10-15 weeks:
I may not look like a tomato
But I am of a similar size.
And the latest report is
I now have lids over my eyes.

My colour is rather red
And you can see straight through my skin.
I'm developing facial features
Including a lovely chin.

15-20 weeks:
I'm also developing sexual organs
They too still need to grow
Which is handy for my parents
Just in case they'd like to know.

My muscles are much stronger now
I can move my arms and legs.
I'm able to grab my umbilical cord
And scratch my tiny head.

20-25 weeks:
I'm about the weight of a small can of beans
I jump when I hear loud sounds.
I like to move when you're resting
And sleep when you move around.

My skin is looking wrinkled
That will change as I lay down fat.
I have nipples and my teeth are formed
And I can hear you when you chat.

25-30 weeks:
I have what is known as a righting reflex
So when I'm spinning round and round
I can tell if I'm the right way up
Or simply upside down.

With the beat of your heart and digestive gurgling
It's noisy in here yet nice.
I can open my eyes and almost focus
Wow wee, they sensitive to light.

30-35 weeks:
My brain can work much faster now
And I'm learning all the time.
When you eat your favourite sugary foods
This amniotic fluid taste just fine.

I hiccoughed this morning it made me jump
As my chest moved up and down.
I'm now aware when its light or dark
And can make sense of different sounds.

35-39 weeks:
My weight is piling on now
About 18 grammes a day.
This will help with the lower temperatures
When the big day comes our way.

Now I'm laying in your pelvis
My once big world has become so small.
Facing down and gently pressing,
Against your cervix wall.

My final week:
The bones in my head are of a clever design
They are able to overlap
This should help prevent me from being squashed
In case my head is a little fat.

The day is nearly here
For the workout of all time.
Our bodies will work together
I'm sure we will be just fine.

I'm ready for the big wide world
My growing in here is done.
This day has been a long time coming
In a few hours I'll meet my mum.

© Copyright M. Moran
1999