17 weeks pregnant – Questions? All you need to know!

From 17 weeks pregnant it’s time to make decisions, start making firm plans, like whether or not you’ll find out the sex of the baby (you should be able to soon!) and what kind of birthing class you’d like to have . When you start making these decisions, pregnancy  will feel even more real, which is super exciting, but part of you is probably feeling a little anxious too.

After all, you’re 17 weeks pregnant,  you’re almost halfway through, and there’s so much to do, it can be too much. Our best advice? Don’t try to do it all yourself, ask for help. And what is not done? You’ll find it’s not that important.

How big is the baby at 17 weeks pregnant?

A baby at 17 weeks gestation  is the size of a pomegranate . Your 17-week fetus is about 5.1 inches long and weighs about 5.9 ounces.

17 weeks gestation is how many months?

At 17 weeks pregnant , you are three months and about three weeks pregnant . By the end of the week, you will be officially four months pregnant .

Symptoms at 17 weeks of pregnancy:

At 17 weeks pregnant , you may experience some of these symptoms check out:

1. Appetite increases:

Does your appetite seem insatiable at 17 weeks pregnant ? That’s because your growing baby is demanding more nutrition. Listen to your hunger pangs and eat when you need to; try to choose foods that satisfy you and meet your nutritional needs (grains rich in fiber , produce and lean protein).

2. Heartburn and Indigestion:

At 17 weeks of gestation , the body produces large amounts of hormones like progesterone and relaxin, which tend to relax the body’s smooth muscle tissues, including those in the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, food sometimes moves more slowly through your system, resulting in indigestion problems of all kinds, from that bloated feeling to heartburn.

This may be uncomfortable for you, but it is really beneficial for your baby. This sensation allows for better absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream and subsequently through the placenta to your baby.

3. Occasional headaches:

The main culprit is, as usual, the hormonal changes you are going through at this stage of 17 weeks gestation . Other causes of headaches can be pregnancy fatigue , tension, increased hunger during pregnancy , physical or emotional stress  , nasal congestion or allergies (you’re more susceptible when you’re pregnant), overheating — or a combination of any of these.

There are some, at least for those prone to migraines, the hormones that increase can actually make less-than-pleasant headaches less severe and less frequent.

4. Fainting or dizziness:

Dehydration at 17 weeks gestation  can cause dizziness, so stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day (try to drink more than that if you’re exercising).

5. Back pain:

This symptom is common from 17 weeks pregnant,  making sure you have a supportive chair at work and a firm mattress at home. If not, get a cushion for your chair to place behind your back so you can keep your posture in line and place a plate under your mattress to steady it.

Baby development at 17 weeks of pregnancy:

If you could see your baby’s face at 17 weeks pregnant , you’d notice eyelashes and eyebrows starting to grow. And if you could take their hand, you’d see that they already have a unique fingerprint. Prior to this point, your baby’s head was larger in proportion to his body. Now 17 weeks pregnant , however, her body is starting to fill out and her proportions are starting to even out.

Your baby’s eyes may move, although their eyelids are still closed, and they won’t open again until week 26. The bone tissue in their feet begins to harden. The placenta continues to grow to keep up with your baby’s needs. When you give birth, she will weigh around 500g.

Your body at 17 weeks pregnant:

At 17 weeks of gestation , the  uterus  is getting rounder, elongates towards the upper abdomen and does not have a fixed position. When you’re standing, you notice it more because it rubs against the inner walls of your abdomen. Your weight gain during the 17th week of pregnancy , which at this point should be between half and two kilos and four kilos and is not only due to the presence of the child, but also to the preparation of an energy reserve in anticipation of lactation.

Also, from the first few weeks, you’ve noticed how your breasts have changed. At 17 weeks gestation hormones are preparing them to produce milk. blood supply for the breasts to grow to prepare for breastfeeding.

The mother-to-be continues her journey of emotional ups and downs. At this point, it’s likely that worries about the changes ahead, like being a mother or how to change the relationship or the home economy after the baby is born is very upsetting, even leading to terrible stress  , so harmful for the future mother as for the baby.

The level of the stress hormone cortisol at 17 weeks gestation can leak into the amniotic fluid and negatively affect fetal development, so you must learn to control your emotions. You can relieve stress by trying to put problems into perspective, keeping busy, swimming, taking time to relax, and talking about your worries with your partner or your closest friends.

What to do at 17 weeks of pregnancy?

At 17 weeks of pregnancy , if the woman has not done so before, the doctor may suggest that she have the triple test or screening, that is, a blood test to measure levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and hormones hCG and estriol. , in the mother’s blood, and thus check that the baby is well. The doctor may also perform an ultrasound to see if the baby is well formed, is in the correct position and, if possible, to know if it is a boy or a girl.

Starting at 17 weeks of pregnancy , the doctor, especially if the woman is over 35, will recommend amniocentesis, a test done with the collection of amniotic fluid to rule out any chromosomal problems such as Down syndrome .

At this 17th week of pregnancy , it is important for the woman to avoid rapid and sudden movements, such as jumping and those that have to bend or bend the joints too much. Physical exercises like walking and swimming are highly recommended.

The dream is also very important for a woman to keep her emotions balanced. For that, you have to push away fears, doubts and reassurance. Massages, as well as yoga or tai chi, can help you sleep better and put worries aside.

Some women may experience abdominal discomfort this 17 weeks of pregnancy , especially on the sides of the pubis. This is due to the uterine ligaments that stretch to accompany uterine development and the elongation of the abdominal muscles.

Diet for 17 weeks of pregnancy:

It is very important that women acquire healthy eating habits at all stages of pregnancy . Especially from the 17th week of pregnancy , it is advisable for the woman to take care of her diet . It is not necessary to eat for two, but to have a varied diet rich in nutrients necessary for your baby’s development.

At this stage of  17 weeks of pregnancy in which the embryo develops the extremities of its body, the role of calcium is very important, as it will help in the formation of teeth, bones, in addition to favoring the woman’s body. Of course, when you do the review with the gynecologist, he will prescribe a calcium supplement .

Iron is also important and should be in the pregnant woman’s diet at this stage. You should eat more meats, vegetables and nuts. Constipation can continue to bother the expectant mother and more as the baby grows. A high fiber diet is recommended and consume at least 8 glasses of water a day during 17 weeks of pregnancy .

Tips for you in this 17 weeks of pregnancy:

1. Hormones and milk-producing glands are developing. All that activity at 17 weeks pregnant , plus an increase in blood flow, can increase breast size!
2. If you experience periodic pain in your legs, it’s likely that your baby is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve that runs under your uterus into your legs. Try a heating pad or massage to relieve pain at 17 weeks pregnant .
3. A loose tooth?! Hormones can affect the ligaments and bones in the mouth, loosening teeth and sometimes even causing them to fall out. This stops after the baby, but if you have periodontitis, see your dentist now.