Congrats, mummies, you are 17 weeks pregnant now!
Your baby is growing rapidly, and your body is changing in noticeable ways.
This is an exciting time as you begin to feel your baby move inside you. You may even be able to show of your new baby bump now.
Here’s what’s happening with your baby and your body at this stage.
Your Baby at 17 Weeks of Pregnancy
Now that you are 17 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a pomegranate.
They are now between 11 to 12 cm and weigh about 100 grams.
While still small, they are as strong as ever, with a fast-beating heart and working muscles that let them move around in your womb.
Other than that, here’s what else is going on with your little one at week 17:
- Baby fat: Fat, also known as adipose tissue, starts forming under your baby’s skin. This will help regulate her body temperature after birth.
- Fingerprints: Your baby’s fingerprints, formed by epidermal ridges on her palms and soles, are now well-established. These genetically determined patterns will be unique to her.
- Organ function: The circulatory system is functioning effectively, and your baby is practicing breathing movements by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. Her urinary tract is also active, as she begins excreting waste.
- Brain development: Your baby’s brain is forming more complex connections between cells and muscles, allowing for smoother, more controlled movements.
- Skeleton development: The skeleton continues to harden, though it remains flexible enough to accommodate growth and eventual delivery. Myelin, a protective sheath, begins forming around her spinal cord, speeding up nerve signal transmission.
- Meconium: Your baby is now producing meconium, a tarry substance that will be her first stool after birth.
With all these developments, you may start to feel her subtle movements if you haven’t already.
Your baby is also developing pink nipples and mammary glands (even if they are biologically a male). In case you didn’t know, all babies start out as girls in their mother’s womb.
Your Body at 17 Weeks of Pregnancy
Your growing baby is making its presence known, and your body is working hard to support these changes.
A weight gain of 2.25 kg to 4.5 kg is normal at this stage. Your uterus has expanded to the size of a honeydew melon, making room for your growing baby.
By this week, your baby bump is likely visible, and you might notice new sensations or discomforts:
- Dizziness: Because your body is now releasing relaxin (the hormone that relaxes your muscles and blood vessels), your blood circulation will be a bit slow. This makes it harder for the heart to pump enough blood back to the brain, potentially causing dizziness.
- Round-ligament pain: As your uterus grows, the round ligaments supporting it stretch and thicken. This can cause discomfort or sharp pain on one or both sides of your abdomen. While it might feel uncomfortable, it’s a normal part of pregnancy and doesn’t harm you or your baby.
- Palpitations: Heart palpitations are common during pegnancy. Your heart is now working twice as hard due to your increase blood volume. However, alert your doctor if you have frequent or prolonged palpitations combined with shortness of breath and dizziness (this may be a sign of a cardiac episode).
- Backache: Your ovaries are producing a hormone called relaxin, which softens your joints and ligaments to accommodate your growing womb and prepare for childbirth. However, this can lead to back pain as your joints loosen.
- Chadwick’s sign: Increased blood flow may give your skin a natural glow and cause a blue or violet tint to your vaginal area. You may also experience more vaginal discharge, which is normal unless it’s foul-smelling, yellow or green, in which case you should consult your healthcare provider.
If you have heavy discharge, consider wearing sanitary pads for comfort. Avoid tight, synthetic fabrics like pantyhose and opt for cotton underwear to improve airflow and reduce irritation.
Other than that, maintain a balanced diet as per usual. Listen to your body and rest when needed.
Herniated Disc
As you gain weight throughout your pregnancy and your uterus grows, there will be increased pressure on your back and spine.
Just like with what we covered in Week 16 about being careful about how you lie down, you may need to take extra precaution about how you stand and sit as well.
The extra weight you’re carrying can put a lot of strain on your spine (most particularly the bone discs that make up your spine).
Back injuries and sudden movements can cause one of these to bulge out.
If the bone presses on a nerve it can cause numbness, tingling and even pain spreading down towards one of your legs.
The pain can be mild to moderate to severe depending on the damage.
To prevent herniated disks, avoid lifting heavy objects. Take plenty of breaks too to protect your back.
Most cases of herniated disks during pregnancy resolve without surgery, but you will need painkillers and bedrest. Consult your doctor for guidance.
Gentle balance exercises can strengthen your core and help support your spine as your pregnancy progresses. Low-impact activities like yoga or Pilates are excellent choices.
Staying Safe During Pregnancy
Pregnancy at 17 weeks is an exciting time. Your baby is growing at a steady pace and exploring their life inside the womb.
Your body is also adjusting well to accommodate this new creature inside you.
However, with your growing size, there now comes a few issues such as the risk of herniated disks.
Be mindful and be careful and always surround yourself with a support system to help you when needed. Because even super-mums need help once in a while.
References
- Curtis, G. B., & Schuler, J. (2016). Your Pregnancy Week by Week (8th ed.). Hachette Books.
- Kaye, P. (2021). Your Pregnancy: Week by Week. SPCK Publishing.
- Riley, L. (2006). You and Your Pregnancy: Your Ultimate Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Meredith Books.
- Shanahan, M. K. (2002). Your Over-35 Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide. Da Capo Press.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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