17 Weeks Pregnant: Pregnancy Symptoms & Baby Development
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17 weeks pregnant is how many months?
Month 4 (Trimester 2)
Baby development at 17 week
This week, your baby should start practicing breathing.
Excercise and fitness
Pregnancy is no excuse to ease off exercise - but keep fit safely.
Diet & nutrition
Stock up on the sunshine vitamin - vitamin D
Baby development at 17 weeks
What does my baby look like? And, what size is my baby?
At 17 weeks your baby should weigh about 150g (just over 5oz)1 and measure around 13cm from crown to rump2. Until now, your baby’s head has been larger in proportion, but now its body is starting to catch up and put on weight. It’s around this time that fat-storing ‘adipose tissue’ is beginning to form3.
Hair, eyebrows and eyelashes are continuing to grow4. The respiratory system is also developing, and your baby will begin practising breathing as its chest rises and falls. By week 17, it’s possible for your baby’s heart rate to beat at around 140–150 bpm2 – much faster than an average resting adult range of 60–100 bpm.
Pregnancy at 17 weeks (second trimester)
What’s happening in my body?
Your placenta is growing with your baby, delivering more oxygen and nutrients and removing waste from your baby’s blood6. By the end of your pregnancy, your placenta will weigh 500 grams. Just before birth, it will transfer antibodies which will help protect your baby in its first three months of life6.
With two things now growing in size, the most noticeable change will be watching your waist start to vanish. This happens as your womb moves up and out of your pelvis, highlighting your 17 weeks pregnant bump. You may also start showing the pregnancy ‘glow’ – radiant skin caused by a boost in hormones and blood volume7.
However, this transformation can make some women feel self-conscious and anxious. 10% of pregnancies show signs of stress or anxiety, and ever-changing hormones can make things seem worse than they are7. If you’re struggling, talk to your doctor, midwife or one of our 24/7 support team.
Early pregnancy symptoms at 17 weeks
Pregnancy anaemia
Along with Vitamin D, you’ll also need plenty of extra iron for your baby. Signs of iron deficiency include feeling tired and out of breath, and looking pale8. Talk to your midwife about taking an iron supplement.
Swollen ankles, hands and feet
Your body holds more water while you’re pregnant, so if you stand for too long gravity will take a toll and send the water to your ankles, hands and feet. Put your feet up – right up: prop them up so they’re higher than your heart for an hour each day.
Cramp
It usually strikes at night, so make sure you turn a light on if you stand up to help clear it. You don’t want to trip and fall. Gentle exercise for your legs, ankles and feet may help prevent cramp.
Feeling hot
With your body pumping more blood, and rampaging hormones, you can feel extremely hot. And not always in the best sense of the word. Wear loose, breathable fabrics and stay hydrated with chilled water.
Mood swings
Pregnancy hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, soar during pregnancy9, affecting how you’re feeling emotionally. Get plenty of rest and light exercise to keep you feeling like yourself.
Bloating and gas
The pregnancy hormone progesterone slows down your digestion which can lead to bloating and excess gas
Focus on Vitamin D
It’s recommended that you get 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day during pregnancy11. The most efficient way to get vitamin D is through exposure to direct sunlight – UVB rays in particular. However, Britain’s latitude means we only get six months of effective sunlight each year, from April to September. This may explain why a significant number of young women in the UK have low vitamin D, and why sun exposure alone may not be enough to support your baby during pregnancy
How to boost your vitamin D intake
Vitamin D is present in certain foods, like eggs and oily fish. But the best way to make sure you’re getting enough is to take it as a 10mcg supplement. Some prenatal multivitamins contain this already, or you can choose to take a separate vitamin D supplement. You can also boost your vitamin D intake by including the following foods in your diet:
- Oily fish, including herrings, mackerel, sardines, salmon, trout (limit your intake to 2 portions a week).
- Eggs – the yolk contains the vitamin D.
- Fortified foods – some brands of milk and breakfast cereals have added vitamin D.
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Vitamin D forms an essential part of your healthy pregnancy diet. It plays a vital supporting role in the growth and development of your baby’s bones by regulating the levels of calcium and phosphate in their body13. An adequate supply of vitamin D also reduces your baby’s risk of vitamin D deficiency.
As well as supporting your baby’s bone development during pregnancy, the vitamin D you consume now helps to build up your baby’s personal store, which they will rely on during their first few months of life
Headaches in pregnancy
Some women experience headaches in early pregnancy. They usually improve or clear by the fourth month and don’t harm your baby.
Paracetamol is usually safe to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, but always at the lowest effective dose, and for the shortest possible time. When used correctly, there are no harmful effects to you or your baby15. Talk to your doctor or midwife for advice on how much paracetamol you should take, and for how long.
Painkillers to avoid
There are some painkillers you should avoid while pregnant or breastfeeding. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen or Naproxen, and medications containing codeine and other opiates unless specifically directed by a healthcare professional15.
A headache or pre-eclampsia?
If you continue to experience headaches, it could be a sign of pre-eclampsia15. This can affect women around week 20 of their pregnancy or soon after giving birth.
Most cases of pre-eclampsia are mild, but if it’s not monitored or treated, it can lead to serious complications.
The earlier pre-eclampsia is diagnosed, the better the outlook for you and your baby. Call your doctor, midwife or maternity unit if you develop a severe headache accompanied by:
- Blurred vision
- Seeing flashes of light
- A pain just below your ribs
- Vomiting
- Swelling in your face, hands, feet or ankles