This post is sponsored by Panorama non-invasive prenatal screening. All opinions are my own. Please support the products/brands that support Through Her Looking Glass. #PanoramaBaby
I’ve just gotta talk about babies today. Because, well…it was Labor Day last Monday. And you know how it is when something gets in my mind: I just gotta write about it. And babies have definitely been on my mind. A friend of mine actually went into labor on Labor Day one year. For real. Timing is everything.
If you know me at all, you know I adore babies. And there’s an interesting phenomenon trending out there with my expectant mom friends. They’re actually tracking and tweeting the size of their developing babies using fruits and veggies.
Very cool. Very green.
As in, my baby is a blueberry today. (Seven weeks)
And at sixteen weeks, baby is an avocado.
At twenty-four weeks, a cantaloupe. And so on.
Things get a little dicey at the thirty-nine week mark when baby’s the size of a watermelon. Usually about that time my friends stop tweeting the fruity tweets. They’re just hoping (and praying) that baby comes soon. Like, yesterday.
But what I personally find the most amazing is that when a growing baby is just the size of a tiny apple seed and only five weeks old, her little heart and kidneys are already forming. Isn’t that crazy amazing? That my friends, is a true miracle. And that’s exactly what babies are: little miracles.
So the year was 1997 and I’d just discovered I was expecting. We were absolutely overjoyed. I daydreamed about seeing my baby’s precious profile for the first time. Tossed around baby names. Guessed pink or blue. (We never did find out with our first, and reveal parties weren’t in vogue back then.)
Several months along, I received a book in the mail, Expectant Motherhood. An extended family member had heard our exciting baby news and kindly sent it along. An attached sticky note explained what a wonderful resource it had been for her. The book was a little musty, but I paid no mind. An eager sponge, I couldn’t wait to soak up new information about my pregnancy and precious developing baby. I began reading, and I quote:
“In choosing a maternity corset, several considerations should be borne in mind. Since it should be put on lying down, a type with hooks or a zipper in front is most convenient.”
Whaaaatttt?
“Most physicians recommend that smoking should be curtailed in pregnancy to ten cigarettes or less.”
!!!!!Gasp!!!!!
“As for driving a car yourself, it would be best to inquire of your own physician. It is usually permitted during the first six months of pregnancy, at least, if reasonable care is exercised in regard to speed and accident.
Hello.
Shocked, I flipped to the copyright. 1963. It was now 1997, and the information was seriously outdated, blatantly incorrect and completely irrelevant. Yeah. My well-meaning relative sent me a pregnancy guidebook from 1963! I learned that day the importance of timely, current and relevant information. We’ve come a long way technologically since 1963 and 1997 both. A wicked long way. And that, friends, is why I’m sharing the great Panorama infographic resource below. This is great, current information for all newly expectant moms and their families.
It’s so wonderful that a diagnostic non-invasive screening test like Panorama is now available that’s completely safe for your baby. Unlike invasive screening tests like amniocenteses, Panorama screenings carry no risk of miscarriage, simultaneously giving you the needed information and peace of mind.
I wish Panorama non-invasive testing had been available back when I was first expecting in the 90’s. It’s definitely a different technological age today. (And I’m not just talking apples and oranges.)
When baby is only nine weeks old, roughly the size of a cherry, the Panorama natera prenatal screen can be used as an accurate and safe way to get your first peek of baby! So exciting.
Visit Panorama today to see more great information about why you should choose safe and non-invasive testing for your baby. And check out the early pregnancy checklist below for more great (and current!) information for you and that precious baby. You may also follow Panorama on Facebook.
Are you expecting a baby or grandbaby? Got some pregnancy advice to share? Excited to hear your baby thoughts today!
Sara says
I had a really really early ultrasound, because I had some pain, but also because I was scared and confused and unsure if I was going to be able to face going ahead with the pregnancy. I saw a tiny flicking heartbeat, and in that moment I loved my baby. It made everything suddenly a lot easier.
I can only imagine what a scan like this would do! I’d probably have gone home and painted the nursery! ha! x
Allie says
Dear Sara, it was inexplicably overwhelming to see my baby’s heartbeat for the first time too. I’ve gotten to experience it four times now with each of my boys. Very thankful, very blessed.
Bresca says
Thanks for sharing the current links and resources. Pretty funny about the outdated advice! I think the fruit imagery is really helpful — and so amazing how God put such intricate detail in each of us right from the very beginning.
Allie says
Thanks Bresca, it is so amazing!
Barbara Child says
We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” as David says so eloquently in Psalm 139. Having been around doctors all my life (my Dad, my husband, 2 of my children), I’ve heard descriptions of developing tumors or pregnancies likened to the size of some familiar fruit. It really does tell you a lot and is so helpful. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful and helpful post.
Allie says
Thank you so much Barbara, I loved writing this. xo
Susan giordano says
My three blueberries, turned watermelon…are Maggie, Will and Caroline! I remember “in my day” turning down amnio test because I knew it had potentially harmful side-effects (death!)…had Panorama been around in the corset days of yore, this would have been a great alternative. Glad you didn’t heed 1963 smoking advice from the docs of the day! Love that other current to the moment baby handbook for life…”You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” psalm 139:13. Little miracles they are, indeed!
Allie says
I love that Susan…your three little blueberries turned watermelon. 🙂 Great to have this new Panorama technology. And so many other things we now know that we didn’t in “the corset days of yore”…
Linda Jenkins says
Very informative. I remember 4 years ago when Jenny was pregnant with Lucas and she started to bleed. We rushed her to the hospital fearing she was having a miscarriage. How helpless her husband and I felt when they wheeled her off for an ultra sound. As you know, by the grace of God, she did not miscarry, and Lucas is a happy well-adjusted young boy. I can’t even begin to explain how relieved I was when the nurse gave us the good news. I am so grateful that Lucas is a part of God’s wonderful plan.
Allie says
What a great story with a very happy conclusion Linda. I’m so thankful everything was ok with Jenny and that Lucas arrived safely. He’s such an adorable little boy and brings so much joy to his family!
Tina Sneed says
we have certainly ran across some “outdated” reading material over the years {fodder for many laughs!}!
Allie says
Too funny Tina. I never could part with that Expectant Motherhood book. It’s wonderful for “readings” at baby showers when everyone is giving the expectant mom advice. Lots of great laughs, highly entertaining. 🙂
Aunt Pinkie says
At 81, with my youngest 51 and the youngest of my 13 grands 21, am still glad to see such helpful and interesting info available today! Wonderful to have non-invasive tests, thanks to Panorama!
Allie says
Many thanks Aunt Pinkie. Two things. #1, can’t believe you’re 81. And #2, can’t believe your youngest grand is 21. Both seem impossible. It’s such a wonderful thing to have non-invasive tests. XOXO
Denise says
It is just so amazing what they can do now. What a blessing to be able to have non-invasive testing. My nieces and nephews are at that age when they will start having children and I can’t wait! I’ll be sure to pass this info along, since I refer back to your blog time and time again.
Allie says
And that will make you Great Auntie Denise! You’ll be a wonderful one too. Ain’t technology grand? Many thanks for passing on this information!
Carrie says
This new technology is so amazing! Excited for my kids to have kids someday ( but NOT soon).
Allie says
Many thanks Carrie, I feel the exact same way for my kids. (Just not soon!)
Tracy says
An awesome post Allie!! So informative and entertaining! It’s just incredible how far technology has come!! This test sounds amazing. I had never heard of it before. I will definitely pass this info along. I wish it was around when I had to have an amnio. That is a very scary test. I so do love the fruit comparison of these days….. One of my babies was compared to a Christmas tree ornament. That’s ok, kind of nice. The other baby, by a different dr, was compared to something awful….. Ready…… He said my baby was the size of a cockroach! ??? definitely no bedside manner what’s so ever! Ha!
Allie says
Thank you so much Tracy, your comment was highly entertaining. Laughing so hard over here. And hello, what was that doctor thinking? Guess he wasn’t. Besides, cockroaches come in all sizes. The bedside manner was definitely absent that day!!!! Many thanks for passing this Panorama info. along.
Susie Mandel says
I just watched Panorama’s video and am once again AMAZED at what can be done with a simple blood draw. I am continually thankful for the researchers who have developed tests that can detect all sorts of things. I am one of those recipients of incredible researchers doing their job to help make people’s lives better, easier, and longer!
Allie says
Dear Susie, I’m amazed too. It’s just incredible technology. I’m also thankful for each researcher that has contributed towards your life and health. And I’m thankful for you. You get this stuff far more than the rest of us do… Love you girl and cheers!!! XOXO
Carina says
My dear Allie, I really enjoyed this post! It was so interesting (and funny)to read the outdated advice! It is incredible how things have changed. The timing of this post was lovely for me, as my son’s 12th birthday was yesterday (he is an only child), so I was remembering my pregnancy. It has been amazing to watch my little watermelon turning into a fine young man. 😉 Quick story: My talented obstetrician was in high demand, so every appointment always resulted in long waits – 2 to 3 hours easily. In my eighth month, I booked my next appointment with him, well in advance, for a Thursday at 9:00 a.m. Well, I went into labour on the wednesday before, and was in labour the whole night. As the doctor held out my baby the first moments after delivery, I noticed the enormous clock on the wall directly ahead of me and it was exactly 9:00 a.m. I had to comment, “Yay, we made our appointment!” Take care.
Allie says
Dear Carina, there are so many more funny quotes in that book. It’s a rare gem. A very happy birthday weekend to your son! I hope he had a wonderful birthday yesterday. So you were pregnant during the summer too…. I also have a September baby and he’s taller than me now. My Jacob turns 15 at the end of this month. August was a sweltering month to be expecting and we lived in the south at the time too. On to your funny story…I cannot even believe you had the presence of mind to say that to the doctor after laboring all night. You are too funny. And that the clock would be smack dab right behind him. I was thinking it was kind of you not to say something like, so you finally made it to an appointment on time (!) 2-3 hour wait??? Now that is long. I guess he must’ve been worth it or you’d have gone elsewhere. Maybe you brought a good book or knitting… Anyway, it was lovely to hear from you today and I really enjoyed that delivery room story. You made me laugh. Enjoy the rest of your weekend with your dear family. XOXO
Carina says
Wonderful nurses, excellent doctors, beautiful facilities, but poorly located clock. Let’s just say that you do not want to be staring at a clock during labour. Thanks for the birthday wishes- I will pass them along! 🙂 An early Happy Birthday wish to your son as well. Hope you are enjoying your weekend, too.
Madeleine says
Ahhh…the fruit! As the mama of a one year old, I certainly enjoyed the apps that informed us of Baby’s size by using fruits and veggies (but I fell in the camp of my baby is the size of WHAT? by the last few weeks…not quite as exciting at that point, haha). And very interesting info about the screening, I’ll certainly check that out to learn more! Thanks so much for another great post!
Allie says
Thanks Mads. So there are fruity apps too… What will they think of next? Will definitely have to check that out. XO
Eva says
Un article très intéressant, comme d’habitude ! xo
Allie says
Thank Eva, it was a fun piece to write. XO
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
What a great story Allie. Your friend actually went into labor on Labor Day? Indeed timing is everything.:) So informative and entertaining post! And this test sounds incredible.
Allie says
Many thanks Anu! 🙂 XO
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Who doesn’t adore babies? So cute, skin so soft, innocent to all the evils in the world, they even smell good (minus the stinky diapers!)! I found out years ago I can’t have children of my own, and I’ve come to terms with it, I simply spoil the crap out of my niece and nephew! I love the baby – fruit size references– Soooo cute! That book your relative sent you sounds like a trip… you know a bad trip. Lol. Never heard of Panorama before, but next time one of my friends is expecting I’ll be sure to pass on the info!! Great post… your writting always warms my day! Cheers lovely! Xo
Allie says
Hey, thanks for the kind words. And that must have been some tough news to absorb. I sense you are a very strong person, and your niece and nephew are so lucky to have you Cheyanne. Every little person needs someone to spoil them once in a while…and big people do too. (Will you be my Auntie Cheyanne?) Yeah, the book’s a trip alright! HA. P.S. Still musing about the SuBourbon Country Cottage and smiling….