17 Weeks Pregnant

What Happens During the Seventeenth Week of Pregnancy?

Changes continue to happen while you are in the seventeenth week of pregnancy. It is normal, and you might find it challenging to overcome some of the problems. However, remember that these concerns will soon subside, and you can get united with your bundle of joy in no time. Hence, without wasting any more time, let's have a look at the hormonal, bodily, and fetal developments happening in the seventeenth week of pregnancy.

Hormonal Changes and Other Symptoms

Around the seventeenth week, you might feel a bit dizzier than before. It is because of the hormonal changes that are happening in you. Other than that, the expansion of your circulatory system and changes in the uterus could make you dizzy. You could have tiredness and sleeping problems during this time of pregnancy.

Other concerns that can affect you are bloating and constipation that occur due to hormonal changes. Heartburn and indigestion also happen after you have a huge meal. Hence, it is best to have smaller meals and try not to lie down after having food. It will help the gastric juices in your stomach to stay where they have to be.

Other hormonal changes in you can affect your gums, ligaments, bones, etc. You have to take care of your oral hygiene as well as your teeth might get loose during this stage of pregnancy.

Unlike the previous weeks, for some of you, you might notice an increase in appetite. It is because your baby is trying to acquire nourishment, which will help in your little one's growth. Here, it is best to have healthy food items and avoid processed food products as much as you can.

If your mother had stretch marks during the time of pregnancy, you might also start to get them as a hereditary sign. Besides, you would also notice a steady increase in your body weight. It is to accommodate your little one and provide all the essential components required for your baby.

Another symptom that you could have while you are pregnant is occasional headaches. It happens because of the hormonal changes happening in you. Other than the hormones, fatigue, and tension can also pave the way for headaches. Under these circumstances, you could take medications like acetaminophen. However, it is best to speak with your medical practitioner and seek advice before starting any form of medicine.

Bodily Changes

Similar to the hormonal changes and other symptoms that happen to you during pregnancy, your body would also show changes. One of the changes visible during the pregnancy is the baby bump.

During this time of pregnancy, you would have started to form a belly. Other than that, you might notice that the definition of your waist would disappear. Here, your uterus would move upwards and would measure around 17 cm from top to bottom. You might sense that the uterus is moving towards your navel.

Since there is an increase in hormones and blood flow, it might make you feel that you have regained a glow. In simple terms, during the seventeenth week of pregnancy, your skin would become radiant, and your hair gets thicker.

At this time, your breast will also grow, which is to facilitate breastfeeding once your little one is born. It happens because of an increase in blood flow and hormonal changes.

During this time, you would face emotional changes, which is something that happens with most women. However, if you need support, you can always speak with your doctor and seek guidance. These are some of the bodily changes that you would notice during this time of pregnancy.

Fetal Developments

During the seventeenth week of pregnancy, your baby would be 13 cm long and weigh around 0.14 kg. Your baby would start gaining body fat, which continues to happen till your little one has acquired enough weight. Here, your baby would have become bigger than before. Your baby's heartbeat would have become rhythmic and would be between 140 to 150 beats per minute.

Other than that, there would be movements happening within the chest wall during this time. Your baby would also be preparing for breathing at this time. Here, the sweat glands would start forming, and in a week, fingerprints would also develop. Your baby's soft cartilages would become firm, and it would pave the way for developing hard bones.

Besides, during this time of pregnancy, you would already have had your first scan, which happens between the eighth and fourteenth weeks. When you take the next scan, known as the anomaly scan, you can know your baby's sex. It happens between the eighteenth and twenty-first week. Apart from this, you might have to run tests for developmental disorders.

Tips to Take Care of Yourself During the Seventeenth Week

Similar to the previous weeks of pregnancy, you have to continue taking care of yourself. Here, we will walk you through some ways by which you can maintain your and your baby's health.

Having a Healthy Diet

As part of maintaining a healthy diet, you have to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is best to avoid having processed and junk food items. Other things that you can consider reducing are salty food items, fatty food. It is also best to lower those items that contain too much-saturated fat and sugar.

In your diet, try to have protein-rich food items and dairy products. However, you have to be considerate about the type of dairy products that you include in your diet. Ensure that you have enough fluids in your diet, which you can have in the form of water, soups, smoothies, juices, etc. However, when you have them, it is best to avoid using sugar in these drinks. As you all know, you have to stay away from alcohol and also reduce having caffeine in your diet. They can impact your little one's growth adversely.

Besides, you have to include omega-three fatty acids in your diet. You can find them in fish products, and you must try to have them in your diet. The reason to have omega-three fatty acids is it would help your baby's brain and eye development. These are some of the dietary changes that you can bring in during this time of pregnancy. In simple terms, you have to follow a healthy diet plan throughout your pregnancy. You can always speak with your dietician to gain a better understanding of the same.

Enhancing Physical Well-being

You have to ensure that you are maintaining a good exercise habit while you are pregnant. During this time, you might not perform all kinds of workouts. But, it doesn't mean that you have to stay physically inactive. You can stay fit with simple exercises such as walking, prenatal yoga, pilates, etc. Joining a class would also help in remaining focused, and you can now take them online as well.

With regular workouts, you can prepare for labor, and it would help you with recovery after your delivery. Here, you would have to continue your usual workouts as long as you have no discomfort. For instance, you can try walking for thirty minutes a day. You can divide your walks into sessions of ten minutes each.

Taking Care of Mental Health

When you are pregnant, you could feel a little overwhelmed, and you might be confused. However, it happens with most pregnant women during their pregnancy. You might even have stress and anxiety issues while you are pregnant. But, they would recede with time, and if they don't, you can always seek professional help. If you face negative emotions, it is best to reach out to your friends and family for support. You can also try mindful methods like meditation, yoga, and other relaxation techniques. Journalling is also a way to take care of yourself during this stage of pregnancy.

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