17 weeks in months means you are in the 4th month of pregnancy. You are halfway through pregnancy and soon will feel your baby move for the first time! Know what it means for you and your baby. Read on.
Baby Development:
Your baby is now size of a turnip
Baby at 17 weeks is the size of a large onion. Your Baby has soft cartilage until now but is developing that into a hard bone. Eyelashes and eyebrows have grown. Fat layers under the skin are beginning to form which will help regulate baby's body temperature. Depending on the position of the baby at 17 weeks pregnant, the 17-week ultrasound may show if the baby is a girl or a boy. The toenails are growing and fingerprints are established. 17-week pregnancy baby movement is not as pronounced as it will get in the coming weeks. It might be mistaken for indigestion. So keep a watch on what you are feeling to track your baby's first movement.
Body Changes
A 17 weeks pregnant belly is obvious for most women. As your 17 weeks pregnant belly size grows, you might notice a black line in the middle of your tummy. This is natural and the line usually fades after conceiving.
Swollen feet are common at this stage. This is due to fluid retention in your body due to pregnancy. Few women might experience intermittent shooting pains from one of your legs. This is caused by the pressure of a growing baby on the sciatic nerve. The pain starts in your lower back or hip and reaches all the way down your legs. Talk to your doctor on how to alleviate the pain.
Find your due date/Calculating your due date:
Unless you've been tracking your ovulation, for a health practitioner to exactly know when you ovulated and conceived is hard to say. Most women ovulate about two weeks after the first day of their period. So, to calculate a standard timing, most health practitioners calculate the due date from the first day of your last menstrual period.
17 weeks pregnant symptoms:
Here are a few number of common symptoms a woman may notice throughout her Pregnancy Symptoms Week 17.- Inflamed and bleeding gums
- Fatigue and difficulty in sleeping
- Swollen hands and feet
- Haemorrhoids
- Headaches
- Stuffy nose
- Bloating and constipation
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Sore breasts
- Leg cramps
- Darkened facial skin called 'mask of pregnancy'
- Thicker and shinier hair
- A heightened sense of smell
- Mood swings
- Leg cramps
17 weeks pregnant symptoms of miscarriage might include heavy cramping and heavy bleeding. Contact the doctor immediately in such an instance.
Tips for You This Week
You can support your body to prepare for pregnancy by following the tips below:Try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees and ankles to relieve sciatic nerve pain. Avoid sitting for too long and getting up quickly after napping. Take prenatal vitamins. Wear loose fit breathable clothing to tackle the hot flushes. Invest in a good pair of sneakers for comfortable walking and avoiding falls. Stay away from skin or hair treatments involving harsh chemicals. Take care of your teeth, visit a dentist if you are experiencing bleeding gums. Stay away from X-rays.