- How does my baby change in week 17 of pregnancy?
- What changes do I go through in week 17?
- What examinations do I need to have in the 17th week of pregnancy?
- What special features need to be considered?
- Tips for your 17th week of pregnancy
- Useful tips for the 17th week of pregnancy
How does my baby change in week 17 of pregnancy?
You are now in the middle of the second trimester of your pregnancy and have already reached the 5th month. Your baby is changing and the new family happiness is slowly becoming more and more noticeable and visible.
How your baby develops in the 17th week of pregnancy
In the 17th week of pregnancy, the foetus is already about the size of a pear. Your little baby is about 15 centimetres long on average. By the end of the 17th week, your baby may weigh up to 140 grams.
Up to this point, your baby has already undergone many developments. This means that in week 17, all the important body structures have developed. Many organs have started working. Of course, they will continue to develop rapidly over the next few weeks.
Your little baby will be nourished via the umbilical cord. This will not only be longer, but also more stable. It ensures that your baby is supplied with nutrients and oxygen while it floats in its amniotic fluid. Because the umbilical cord floats in the water with the foetus, it also serves as a toy. It is therefore important that it is stable and pressure-resistant. After all, the child should also be able to play safely in the womb.
Now the reproductive organs continue to mature. The following applies to boys: In week 17 of pregnancy, the penis has already formed - and now his prostate is also increasingly taking shape. For girls: The vagina and uterus begin to form in the 17th week of pregnancy.
Good to know: The foetus's body forms depot fat during pregnancy. This allows it to produce heat and use the fat as a practical source of energy.
The cheese smear in the 17th week of pregnancy
In week 17, your baby is already completely covered by a protective layer, which you may already recognise as cheese or amniotic fluid. The technical term for this is "vernix caseosa". This layer - together with the lanugo hair - ensures that your little miracle's body is not soaked by the amniotic fluid. Your baby's sebaceous glands were already busy building up this lipid layer bit by bit during the 14th week of pregnancy. The amniotic fluid contains excess flakes of cheese. When your baby is born, some of the protective layer may still be present on your baby's skin. Most of this wonderful protective layer will be used up during pregnancy. However, how much of the vernix layer is left at birth varies from case to case.
What changes do I go through in week 17?
During the 17th week of pregnancy, you may notice a dark line on your belly that runs from the belly button downwards. The line usually appears from the 15th week of pregnancy - but does not necessarily develop in every pregnant woman. This is the so-called "linea nigra". You don't need to worry about this pigmentation: The discolouration is not uncommon and occurs in varying degrees and intensities in pregnant women. While the dark line can be almost a centimetre thick in some mums-to-be, for example, it is much thinner in others. The linea nigra runs all the way to the pubic bone.
Your areola will now also increase in colour intensity. This means that your breast will become slightly darker in colour. The reason for the darkening - as with the linea nigra - is the increased melanin production that takes place during pregnancy. This sometimes leads to further skin discolouration, which usually disappears again after pregnancy. You will now tan more easily if you go out in the sun. However, the hormonal situation often causes the tan to appear blotchy. So protect yourself from excessive sun exposure during pregnancy. Excessive exposure to UV light is also not healthy during pregnancy.
By the wayMany women now also notice that their skin feels healthier overall. The hormonal changes during pregnancy usually ensure better blood circulation in your skin. In addition, water retention helps to plump up small wrinkles. Do you feel these changes in the 17th week of pregnancy? Then enjoy this time to the full.
Other symptoms of the 17th week of pregnancy
It is highly likely that you will not only feel your maternal ligaments - on the side of your belly - stretching in the 16th week, but also in the current week of pregnancy. The stretching of the ligaments is often noticeable through a stabbing or pulling pain. The reason for this is still the growing uterus, which creates space for your baby as it gets bigger and bigger.
Is the pain getting worse? Tip: Discuss the situation with your emergency midwife if you feel unsure. If you experience persistently severe and acute pain and unusual symptoms, please contact your doctor. By the way: Labour pain is of course also an important issue for expectant mothers. Here you have the opportunity to learn more about the topic of labour pain.
What examinations do I need to have in the 17th week of pregnancy?
The 4th week of pregnancy is between the 17th and 20th week. Preventive medical check-up on. Therefore, make an appointment in good time to have your baby's development checked.
Amniocentesis is also possible in the current week of pregnancy, but is only recommended in special cases. This method of prenatal diagnostics aims to detect hereditary diseases in the foetus. You may also know the word amniocentesis under the term "amniocentesis". Basically, this test is only recommended in special risk situations and is paid for by statutory health insurance. This examination is voluntary and you have time to decide whether you want to have it.
What special features are there in the 17th week of pregnancy?
Iron is of great importance during your pregnancy: the nutrient ensures that oxygen is transported in your bloodstream. It also contributes to the formation of blood cells. In week 17 of pregnancy, your body will slowly use up your iron supply. This makes it all the more important that you make sure you get enough iron. The general recommendation for pregnant women is 30 mg of iron per day. You can get this from iron-rich foods such as meat, but also from cereals and plant products. Millet and oats are valuable plant-based sources of iron.
In week 17 of pregnancy, it's not just the right diet with enough iron that plays an important role in providing your little miracle with a "nest" in your body. It's also about building a nest within your own four walls: Mums-to-be slowly start to set everything up for their offspring. This includes, for example, preparing the room, taking care of the initial equipment and running errands. At the same time, you may already be thinking about your Postpartum. Please note here: Don't overwhelm yourself with the tasks alone, but ask for support if necessary. In the Infant care course from notdiensthebamme.de you will not only find out how to look after your baby well, but also which purchases are important for your baby.
Another special feature: Injection of milk
You may feel fluid leaking from your breast for the first time. This is also nothing to worry about in the 17th week of pregnancy: between the 4th and 5th month of pregnancy, your body is ready to care for your little one in the event of a premature birth. This is why premature milk let-down is not unusual. On the contrary: breast milk is a valuable source of nutrients, especially for premature babies. Milk is particularly easy for your little one to digest. It protects the baby's immune system and also supports the premature baby's further development outside the womb. As long as your little miracle is still protected in your womb, it does not yet need milk. In most pregnant women, this milk - which is not yet needed - is broken down again by the body. Some pregnant women can already see small drops of milk coming out of their breasts. This often happens when showering. This milk is a valuable skin care lotion. You can apply it to the nipple as a care cream.
Useful tips for the 17th week of pregnancy
During the current week of pregnancy, you have many thoughts and perhaps also worries and problems. Use the following tips to make the 17th week of pregnancy as pleasant as possible for you and your baby:
1. Baby massage get to know: Many pregnant women use the second trimester to prepare for the time after the birth in peace and quiet. Find out about baby massage, for example: it is good for your little one and contributes to your baby's health, well-being and good development. It does this by encouraging the baby's dreams and is also good for tummy aches. It also offers you the chance to spend relaxing moments with your child, in which you can lovingly nurture them and get to know them in a very special way. If you and your partner feel like it, you can also practise baby massage on yourselves. You will see that it is not only wonderfully relaxing for babies.
2. involve the partner: It is often good to be physically pampered during pregnancy. Ask your partner - because fathers-to-be are also an important part of your pregnancy. However, finding closeness and supporting each other requires not only physical comfort, but above all open communication. It is completely normal for expectant fathers to feel that the baby is still a long way off. After all, they don't feel your changes. This makes it all the more important that dads are involved in the knowledge, thoughts and feelings. Sometimes difficult topics also need to be discussed. This can include the topic of alcohol consumption or smoking, for example. It is quite clear that cigarette smoke is harmful. However, many smokers do not realise that the physical vapours of the smoker also damage the baby's development. If you want to discuss such a difficult topic, look for a good and open dialogue situation. Then it will be easier for you to find a good way forward in your family life. In the workshop "Team play at birth" you will get tips and tricks on how you and your partner can become a perfect team for the baby.
3. plan your journey: Are you already 5 months pregnant but still haven't been able to go on holiday - or do you want to play it safe until you're through the critical phase of pregnancy? Now is the time: plan your trip if you want to go on holiday before the birth. With your little baby bump - and without the initial discomfort - you can really enjoy your days off. Make sure that the main focus is on relaxation for you, your partner and your little one. It is therefore important to continue to avoid any kind of stress and excessive demands.
4. combat fatigue: Continue to get enough rest, even in the current week of pregnancy. This is especially true if you feel exhausted quickly at the moment. However, if you want to get your circulation going in the 17th week of pregnancy, it helps to keep moving. For example, opt for regular, short walks in the fresh air - together with the father-to-be or a good friend, for example.
