17 weeks pregnant
Length: 13 cmWeight: 140 g
Baby development
My eyes are still closed but they have grown larger and I have eyelashes and eyebrows.
I have begun storing subcutaneous tissue to help stay warm. Fat tissue is also important for metabolism, being an important source of energy. Even fetal fat has begun to envelop itself around me like a protective layer on my skin. Without the fat, I wouldn’t be able to survive in the amniotic fluid throughout a whole pregnancy.
The nails on my toes and fingers have grown out. I have also become more aware and responsive to sound. Did you know that it's never quiet inside your belly? I hear sounds from my mother's heart and intestines around the clock. It makes me feel safe.
Mothers development
Are you often out of breath? That is probably down to your heart pumping an ever-increasing amount of blood.
It is also common to have heartburn at this stage of pregnancy. You can reduce this inconvenience by avoiding fatty and spicy foods as well as avoiding drinking late in the evening. It’s also recommended that you restrict your coffee and tea intake to a maximum of a couple of cups a day. Some medicines can help alleviate any feelings of discomfort, but remember to always consult your midwife or doctor first.
The pelvic joints are beginning to soften, a natural process for widening the pelvis as the body begins to prepare for childbirth. When this happens, the pelvis becomes more flexible and unstable, which can lead to pain, so-called symphysis pubis dysfunction or SPD. Contact a physiotherapist or call your local healthcare centre to book an appointment with a physiotherapist. Today, there is a lot of knowledge about symphysis pubis dysfunction and exercises that can help strengthen the muscles around the pelvis. Such exercises dampen the pain and reduce the risk of even more complications later in the pregnancy.
Co-parent
"So how is she now?", "What does she think about being pregnant?"
Feeling a little left out and not getting the same level of attention anymore? After all, all the action is in your partner's belly, but that doesn’t mean you have to walk around feeling invisible. As usual, the best way to combat these feelings of insecurity is to speak with one another. You are both going to be parents — which is important to remember. So work together to build a strong unit based on openness about your wants, needs and insecurities. You will both reap the benefits of it.
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