Thursday, February 5, 2015

Baby bump, weeks 5 - 9

Sophie is at the beginning of the 9th and final week of gestation. She is doing great, but I can tell things are getting a little crowded in there. Her breathing is heavier and more strained and her stomach feels really tight. It's a good thing she is in such great shape! I think that's one of the reasons her baby bump doesn't look all that pronounced. I should have taken photos from above because her girth has really increased. When Sophie is really relaxed, particularly after she eats, I can feel the puppies moving around in there!

Here's a little recap of the previous four weeks:

Up until the fifth week, there was not much of a change in Sophie's appearance. During the fifth week of gestation, the embryos enter the fetal stage.
Day 29
At the start of week 6 of gestation, Sophie is over halfway thru the pregnancy! This is when the puppies' rate of growth and development really picks up. During this week, the little pups are developing their claws. Sophie is extra clingy right now due to all the hormonal changes. She is still excited about getting her morning exercise, but it seems to tire her out more.
Day 36
During week 7 the puppies are developing their fur and their skeletons are ossifying. Sophie's appetite has also increased as the puppies are really starting to grow now.
Day 43
By the eighth week, the puppies' skeletons have ossified and will just continue to grow.
Day 50
During the final week, Sophie will start nesting. I will begin taking her temperature this weekend to pinpoint the temp drop, which will indicate whelping in 24-36 hours.
Day 57