Seventeenth Week Of Pregnancy

Babies are playful creatures whether they are in or out of the womb. Do not worry about how your pregnancy is progressing; just hear the heartbeat of your baby with help of special stethoscope. It will let you know how he or she is developing and growing.
How my baby is growing when I am 17 weeks pregnant?
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• Your baby is about the size of an onion now.
• Your baby is now 5 inches in length and weighs 5 ounces.
• Your baby’s skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone.
• The umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker.
• Your baby can move his or her joints.
• Your baby’s sweat glands are starting to develop.
• Your baby is practicing sucking and swallowing as he or she gets ready for the real thing such as breast or bottle.

What body changes I will experience at 17 weeks pregnant?
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Some may stop feeling pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue and nausea. While some continue to experience the same but do not worry, just look at your growing belly to get an amazing answer for your pregnancy symptoms.Your uterus continues to expand for your growing baby.

Your organs will shift to make room and it may lead to more frequent gastrointestinal issues.

What symptoms I can experience at 17 weeks pregnant?

• Gastrointestinal issues such as heartburn, gas, constipation, and indigestion can cause discomfort.
• Brownish or blackish spots may form on your face due to hormonal changes.
• At this stage, many pregnant women experience hemorrhoids at some point.

Sciatic nerve pain- Watch Video

You may have periodic shooting pains radiating from one of your legs. This pain may occur due to your sciatic nerve, the largest nerve present in your body.

Pain may start in your lower back or hip and reach all the way down your legs. It is still not clear that why this pain occurs in pregnant women, but it can be due to the pressure on this nerve by your growing baby.

As pain is centralised in one of your legs, it is better to lie down on the side that doesn’t hurt you. You may try swimming as it can help relieve some discomfort.

Care tips to follow- Watch Video

• Eat plenty of fiber and drink more water to help combat gastro intestinal problems.
• Try to maintain your postural balance because your belly continues to protrude outward now. Stick to flats and avoid high-heeled shoes.
• You can schedule prenatal massage to pamper your body and help relieve some discomfort.
• Call your doctor immediately, if you notice vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage or severe abdominal pain.