Pregnancy Week 17

What does my baby look like and how big is it?

This week your baby is about the size of a pear. Body fat is starting to form now, and it will keep building up all the way until birth.

Your baby can now:

• move their eyes, though they'll stay closed for now
• respond to loud sounds
• open and close their mouth

Your baby's nails are beginning to grow, and their own unique fingerprints are forming. Even identical twins have different fingerprints.

Nervous system and sensory development

As the nervous system develops, your baby becomes more responsive to sounds, light, and movement from the outside world. They may start to react to things like stroking, rubbing, and loud laughter.

Touch receptors keep developing all over the body and grow until around week 20. The nerve fibers in the spinal cord begin to be coated with myelin, which supports nerve signaling. The intestines are also settling into place inside the abdomen.

Your baby will soon be able to hear you

Your baby's hearing is making big strides this week. Their ears are close to fully formed, and they're beginning to be able to hear your voice.

Your baby is practicing sucking and swallowing

Your baby is already working on the sucking and swallowing skills they'll use after birth. These reflexes, developing in the womb, will help them adjust to feeding once they arrive.

Your baby's movements

Many women notice the first signs of their baby moving somewhere between weeks 18 and 24. You might feel bubbling, fluttering, or rolling sensations inside your belly. You may notice your baby is more active:

• just after you eat
• when you listen to loud music
• when you stroke your belly and talk to your baby
• when you feel relaxed

How many months pregnant are you?

This week you're in your fourth month of pregnancy. You have about 5 months to go.

What's happening in my body?

Week by week, as your baby grows, the placenta that nourishes them and carries away waste grows too. By the end of pregnancy, the placenta can reach around 500 grams.

As your uterus rises up out of your pelvis, your waist may become less defined, which can make your pregnancy more visible. Some moms-to-be develop a small bump early on, while for others it takes a little longer—both are perfectly normal.

Your growing appetite

In the second trimester, morning sickness eases for most people and appetite can pick up. Because your body is spending more energy on your growing baby, it's normal to feel hungry more often.

Stretch marks

Depending on your skin tone, you may notice pink, red, purple, or brown lines on your belly and breasts. They can also appear on your bottom and thighs. These are stretch marks, and many women get them—they're usually linked to hormones and the skin stretching. After birth their color fades and they become less noticeable.

Dizziness and vision changes

During pregnancy, changes in progesterone and circulation can leave you feeling a little lightheaded or dizzy. That's why it helps to get up slowly from a sitting or lying position.

You might notice blurry vision or dry eyes. These changes can be mild during pregnancy. But if you have blurred vision, double vision, temporary loss of vision, or any other unusual symptom, talk to your doctor.

Itching and skin changes

Mild itching can happen during pregnancy. You may feel it especially where the skin stretches, like your breasts and belly. To ease it, you can:

• apply a cold compress
• moisturize with an unscented lotion
• try a lukewarm oatmeal bath

If you're itching a lot or a new rash develops, see your doctor.

Pregnancy dreams

Because of hormones and heightened emotions, you may have more vivid dreams or nightmares during pregnancy. On its own, this isn't unusual.

Constipation and hemorrhoids

Constipation is common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes and your growing uterus. Iron supplements and prenatal vitamins can make it worse. Hemorrhoids can develop when the veins around the rectum and anus enlarge and swell. These can help:

• drinking plenty of water
• eating high-fiber foods
• exercising regularly
• talking to your doctor if you're taking an iron supplement and dealing with constipation

Pregnancy worries and stress

About 1 in every 5 women feels stressed or anxious during pregnancy. Feeling stressed, low, or anxious in pregnancy is common, and it doesn't mean you won't love your baby. If you're feeling sad, worried, or down, talk to your doctor about how you're feeling.

Your pregnancy signs may include:

• fatigue and trouble sleeping
• swollen, bleeding gums
• pain on the side of your belly caused by your expanding uterus
• nosebleeds
• bloating and constipation
• indigestion and heartburn
• tender breasts
• leg cramps
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urinary tract infections
• vaginal infections
• darkened skin on your face or brown patches
• oilier, more breakout-prone skin
• thicker, shinier hair

Some symptoms from earlier weeks may also be sticking around:

• morning sickness
• food cravings
• a heightened sense of smell
• mood swings
• milky white vaginal discharge and light spotting

You don't need to eat for two. Your baby takes the nutrients they need from your body, and until the last trimester your calorie needs usually don't go up much at all.

Are you getting enough vitamin D?

In the fall and winter months, when there's less sunlight, it's recommended to take 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D each day. You may need a vitamin D supplement year-round if:

• you have Black or brown skin
• you keep your skin well covered when you're outside
• you spend a lot of time indoors

If you're not sure, talk to your doctor. Don't take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day, as that can be harmful.

Healthy fats and omega-3s

Fats and essential fatty acids are an important part of a healthy pregnancy diet. Omega-3 fats are important for normal growth and development, and they're found in oily fish like salmon. It's recommended to limit tuna and salmon to one serving a week, and to avoid fish high in mercury such as swordfish, marlin, and shark.

If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you can also get them from these sources:

• avocado
• legumes
• soybeans
• flaxseed
• chia seeds
• walnuts

Sensitive to dairy?

If you can't have dairy, you can get calcium from other sources. Calcium-fortified fruit juices, leafy green vegetables, sesame, almonds, and calcium-fortified tofu can all help. If you're not sure you're getting enough calcium, ask your doctor whether you need a supplement.

Start thinking about where to give birth

You can start thinking about where you'd like to give birth. You can talk with your doctor about your birthplace options.

Fetal anomaly scan

Your second scan, the fetal anomaly scan, is usually done between weeks 18 and 21. This scan is to check your baby's growth and development.

During this scan, you may be able to find out your baby's sex. However, some hospitals have a policy of not revealing the sex, and it isn't always possible for the specialist to be 100% certain.

Exercise and pregnancy

As long as you feel comfortable, exercise isn't dangerous for your baby. Just be careful not to overdo it. If you weren't very active before pregnancy, don't take up strenuous exercise now. Gentle pregnancy exercises and prenatal yoga can help you tune in to your body, but check with your doctor before starting any activity.

Gentle activities that can help:

• walking
• swimming

If you're joining an exercise class, let the instructor know you're pregnant.

Stretch to help prevent sciatica

Sciatica can cause sharp pain, tingling, or numbness that starts in your back or hips and radiates down your legs. A heating pad or back stretches can help ease the pain.

Aches and pains

As your belly grows, your aches and pains may increase. These should stay at a manageable level; if they're making daily life hard, talk to your doctor.

Ease round ligament pain

As the ligaments supporting the uterus stretch, you may feel sharp pains or dull aches in your lower belly. Resting, easing off on exercise intensity, and using extra support if needed can help.

Risk of preterm birth

Some people may be at risk of preterm birth. In those cases, closer monitoring and treatment may be needed to lower the risk or keep an eye on things.

People wanting to touch your belly

As your pregnancy becomes visible, some people may want to touch your belly. If that makes you uncomfortable, it's completely okay to say so, clearly and briefly.

Teeth and gum changes in pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can affect your gums, ligaments, and bones. Because of this, your teeth may feel slightly loose. If you have noticeable dental problems, see your dentist.

Colds and flu in pregnancy

Catching a cold during pregnancy is common. A common cold or an upset stomach usually won't harm your baby. Still, it's important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication, including over-the-counter ones.