printer friendly

PREGNANCY TIMELINE: WEEK 17

Week 17: By now you may be having difficulty remembering where you were going, or where you came from. Welcome to week seventeen and all the hormonal changes that are underway. Hormonal changes during pregnancy causes forgetfulness. With so many changes occurring daily it can be difficult to keep track of your baby's progress. Rely on our pregnancy timeline to mark this special journey with informative information and helpful hints for you and your baby.

Week Seventeen Overview

When you stop to think of the complexity of our bodies, it's amazing how quickly your baby develops. Baby is forming brown fat deposits under his or her skin, by the end of pregnancy this will account for 2-6% of their total body weight. This will help them maintain their body temperature when they are born. Your baby's circulatory system and urinary tract are now working. The baby is "breathing." That is, inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which is great practice for breathing air. Development of the lungs, kidneys, and gastrointestinal system depends on this ability.

Your little bugaboo is a very playful creature! His first toy is the umbilical cord, which he constantly pulls and grabs. He also whiles away the time sucking his thumb, swallowing and blinking. Loud noises outside might actually cause the baby to startle.

Stuffy nose? Congestion? Occasional nosebleeds? Unfortunately these are common in pregnancy. The best treatments are lots of fluids and a cool mist humidifier. Check with your doctor if symptoms don't improve after several days. Nasal congestion is thought to be caused by fluctuating hormones which cause softening and swelling of mucus membranes. Fluctuating hormones can also affect your ability to wear contact lens because eyes may feel gritty and dry.

Your uterus is now about halfway between your pubic bone and navel, and is becoming almost spherical. The uterus fills the pelvis and starts to grow into the abdomen. Round ligaments are attached to each side of the upper uterus and to the pelvic side-wall. During pregnancy and the growth of the uterus, these ligaments are stretched and pulled, becoming longer and thicker. Sudden or mild movements can stretch and pull these ligaments, causing pain or discomfort called round-ligament pain. This pain may occur on either side or on both sides, but does not harm the baby. Lie down and rest if you experience pain. Talk to your physician if you experience severe pain or if other symptoms arise. Warning signs of serious problems include bleeding from the vagina, loss of fluid from the vagina or severe pain.

Baby's Physical Development

• Baby weighs about 4-5 ounces and is 6 and 1/4 inches long.
• Eyes are more forward than on either side of the face now.
• Baby's ears have started to pop from his head.

Time to Start Thinking About...

Did you know having a baby costs money!!! It sure does, and lots of it. The good news is if you're prepared everything should fall in place. Check with you employer and educate yourself on your health coverage. What is your deductible? Does your insurance cover Cesarean delivery? What kind of coverage is there for a high-risk pregnancy? Is there a limit on total coverage? Are tests and medications covered during pregnancy? The questions are endless, and your insurance determines a lot of the costs and decisions for you. Also, many parents often make the decision to go from dual-income to a single income household. It's best to resolve these issues early on, and be prepared well in advance.

Today's hectic lifestyle has left many of us wondering how to manage the stress that comes along with it. Why not tailor your fitness program to encompass your spiritual well-being? As your body and hormones change you may consider altering your exercise routine. Yoga delivers an effective prenatal workout that can be done in the comfort of your living room. Basic postures within yoga include intensive focus on breathing, flexibility, and the constant connection between mind and body (and mother and child).

Tips for Mom

You may be experiencing occasional headaches, faintness, or dizziness. A number of factors can cause these symptoms, but the most likely cause is low blood sugar. Each time you go to the doctor they dip a strip of paper in a cup of your urine to measure your blood sugar level. This test is to make sure you're not developing gestational diabetes, a condition that affects around one to two percent of all pregnant women.

Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy

Try eating protein at every meal and eating small snacks between meals. This will keep the hunger pains away and keep your blood sugar level. Also, remember that quickly rising from a sitting or lying position can cause dizziness. Learn to make slow, deliberate movements.

Constipation may also be a problem during pregnancy. As always, plenty of fluids will help solve this problem. Other helpful hints for constipation are regular exercise and sticking to a diet high in fiber. Added incentive to avoid constipation is prevention of hemorrhoids. These swollen veins of the rectum can become quite painful and straining during bowel movements. Fortunately, all these symptoms disappear soon after delivery.

The use of over-the-counter medications is not recommended during pregnancy. Many over-the-counter preparations are combinations of medications. Aspirin is not advised during pregnancy because it can increase bleeding, causing problems for mom or baby if there is bleeding during pregnancy or delivery. Ibuprofen also has the possibility of harmful effects. In addition, cough syrups and sleep medications often contain as much as 25% alcohol. This is no different than drinking wine or beer during pregnancy. Speak with your physician before taking any medication.

Prenatal Care Checklist

• Lying on your left side with a firm pillow under your head will usually be the most comfortable position for sleeping. This position brings more oxygen to the baby and eases the load on your kidneys.
• Try a body pillow.
• Bath water should not exceed 100 degrees F. Saunas and hot tubs are off limits.
• Do not douche or use tampons. Take a warm bath or use pads instead.
• You should not be changing the kitty litter because harmful parasites may be present.
• Travel is okay as long as you don't travel far from home during the last month of pregnancy. Check with your doctor first if a travel emergency arises.
• Seatbelts will not harm your fetus.
• Use both shoulder and lap belts and make sure to place the lap belt under your belly, across the hips and thighs.
• Avoid contact with any harmful chemicals or fumes.

7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 682-9222; Fax: (901) 682-9505

Home • About Our Practice • Patient Services • Patient Education • Newsletters

The recommendations and information provided by this Web site are for educational purposes only. This Web site does not contain comprehensive coverage of the topics addressed, and is not a substitute for direct consultation with your health care provider. Always consult a health care provider regarding your specific condition. Trademarks referred to are the property of their respective owners.

© 2008 Women's Health Specialists. All Rights Reserved.