Week by week pregnancy guide – week 17 of your pregnancy

While pain in the lower abdomen and swollen feet can bug you this week, inside your baby's fingerprints are being formed while your baby grows stronger and bigger with each passing day.

Debjani Arora | Updated: December 14, 2014 5:02 pm

Tags: Pregnancy guide Week by week pregnancy guide

You are definitely going to feel more relaxed and confident about your pregnancy now with the worst of your pregnancy symptoms left behind. Now that your baby-bump is showing and you are probably basking in the new found joys of motherhood, you must know that medical checkups and sonographies are going to be a regular part of your life from now on.

Changes that happen to your body

1. Abdominal cramps: Now that your baby is growing inside you, your uterus will be pushing your intestine up and towards the sides of your abdomen. This is a common physiological process that takes place during pregnancy to accommodate your growing uterus and to make space for your baby. As this happens the uterus tends to press on the ligaments of the abdomen leading to lower abdominal cramps. It will also start to put pressure on the sciatica nerve that is present just under the uterus and runs down the entire length of the legs.

2. Edema: Sometime during the second trimester you may also suffer from edema (swelling in the feet and ankles). Edema is a harmless condition that happens because of fluid retention in the body and the extra pressure exerted on the sciatica nerve due to your growing uterus. In some women, this condition can last till the end of the pregnancy.

3. Increased hunger and food cravings: Another common symptom is feeling increasingly hungry and craving for certain types of food. This is due to the fact that your baby is growing and so are its nutrition demands. Now is when you should remember to eat smart and load up on nutritious food. Avoid junk food and food from the streets or other unhygienic places. With a suppressed immune system you are more susceptible to common communicable illnesses. Also read common mistakes women make during pregnancy.

4. Vaginal discharge: A little bit of vaginal discharge can also be expected now which is also normal. But if you see spots of blood along with the discharge know that it needs immediate attention from your doctor.So, please don’r ignore spotting in this phase of your pregnancy and visit your doctor immediately. Also read why you should be worried about second trimester spotting.

Developments in your baby

1. Bone and feature development: Your baby’s skeletal system is still developing with more cartilage being added to the bones. But the bones and the joints will remain flexible while your baby is in the womb to aid in the process of birthing. Your baby will also continue to gain weight and the umbilical cord will also grow, thicken and strengthen. Your baby’s facial features will now becoming more prominent, with her ears having moved to the sides of her head, her eyebrows form and her eyes, nose and lips will all be in place.

2. Brain development: This week onwards your baby’s brain will take over control of your baby’s heart functions which will make her heartbeats and the pumping action more synchronized. You baby’s heart rate would be almost double of yours.

3. Fingerprints appear: The most crucial development of the week is development of the fingerprints. The fat tissue present under your baby’s skin keeps growing and helps her stay warm. Your baby also develops a protective covering all around her body called the vernix.

4. Development of senses: With her senses also developing now, your baby will be able to hear you and be responsive to various sounds in the environment. Remember that a loud thud or harsh sound can make your baby startled or scared. This is also the right time to start talking to your baby-bump and connect with your unborn child. Also read about the benefits of talking to your baby-bump.

What you should be doing

If you wish to go for a babymoon this is the right time for it. Remember once you enter your third trimester it will be difficult for you to travel.

To counter edema make sure you don’t stand for long hours or walk around too much. This will make your feet and ankles swell. if your work needs you to sit for long hours, remember to rest often or use a stool to keep your feet on. At night place pillows beneath your legs to keep your feet elevated and avoid fluid retention. Know about other ways of dealing with edema.

Be sure about your second trimester blood tests and sonographies. You might be due for your anomaly scan soon and will have to undergo a series of tests. The second trimester tests will indicate enough about your health status and any underlying condition that can come in the way of fetal wellbeing and labour. Know about the second trimester tests and their importance.

Be sure to maintain a good hygiene level throughout your pregnancy.

Keep applying moisturiser on your belly, buttocks and breasts to combat stretch marks.

Try to keep your stress levels in control as it can harm your baby and you in many ways. Read about the nine ways in which you can keep pregnancy stress at bay.

Try and include foods from all food groups. The same rule applies for fruits too. Don’t restrict yourself to familiar tastes.

Avoid alcohol, tobacco and other aerated drinks. Cut down on your intake of caffeinated drinks too.

Remember to exercise, drink adequate amounts of water and sleep well during your pregnancy.

If you wish to know what happened to your body while you reached week 17 of your pregnancy, you could read:

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Published: June 16, 2014 6:17 pm | Updated:December 14, 2014 5:02 pm

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