Czy 17th week means another one has started month duration pregnancy? How much is child's weight and what it might look like stomach future mom in 17 weeks pregnant? What follows from USG - how big is the child when pregnancy will achieve 17th week? Could other changes be noticeable during this time?
Although your baby's weight and size continue to increase, the XNUMXth week of pregnancy does not make a big difference in symptoms. In general, it is also not particularly burdensome in this respect, which is confirmed by any forum for pregnant women. The expectant mother often feels good and notices an improvement in the condition of her skin and hair. However, it should be borne in mind that at this stage, he may also complain about the first stretch marks and problems with varicose veins.
17th week: what month is it?
At each stage, gestational age is calculated in weeks, with the number of weeks that have already elapsed and the number of days in the current week being recorded for greater accuracy. In this format, the 17th week of pregnancy begins at 16+1 weeks (i.e., 16,1) and ends at 17+0 (17,0) weeks. This is important not only for the expectant mother but also, and especially, for doctors, as they can assess whether the fetus is developing normally or if there are any causes for concern in the 17th week of pregnancy. This is especially true since the actual gestational age has already been estimated, not only based on the date of the last menstrual period but also on a first-trimester ultrasound.
However, relatives and friends often ask what month it is. The 17th week of pregnancy marks the beginning of a new month – the fifth – and the continuation of the second trimester.
17th week of pregnancy on ultrasound: what to expect?
Now that we know what month of pregnancy you're in and what to expect, it's time for some specifics. An ultrasound at 17 weeks of pregnancy reveals that the baby is usually over 20 cm tall from head to buttocks and weighs over 180 grams. It's starting to weigh more than the placenta. The fetus's slight build is still noticeable during the scan, but this will soon change as the new body begins to accumulate fat. This means that the baby will soon be gaining weight much faster.
During an ultrasound at 17 weeks of pregnancy, you can see the fetus moving and hear its heartbeat, which is beating at about 140 times per minute . High magnification would reveal that the baby's body is covered with down and already has its own set of fingerprints. The first, subtle fetal movements can be felt at this stage. The baby is very active, able to swallow, suck its thumb, and play with the umbilical cord. A total of 17 types of fetal movements can be distinguished.
Gestational belly at week 17
Browsing any forum for pregnant women leads to the conclusion that at week 17, every expectant mother's belly looks different and it is difficult to make any comparisons - just like at other stages of pregnancy.
By the 17th week of pregnancy, a woman's belly may be visibly enlarged, but it's not necessarily visible from the outside. Some women will still be able to conceal it with loose clothing, although for others, it's obvious at first glance that they're expecting a baby. In most cases, the 17th week of a twin pregnancy won't be possible to hide.
Week 17 is also the time when the uterus is positioned much higher than at the beginning of pregnancy, and the baby is positioned below the navel – approximately halfway between the navel and the pubic symphysis. Sleeping on the left side from week 17 of pregnancy allows the placenta to continuously deliver nutrients to the fetus.
The size of the child in the 17th week of pregnancy and the mother's well-being
Many women share their concerns on the forum about abdominal pain during the 17th week of pregnancy. These pains can even be comparable to cramps, which is obviously concerning. In reality, most of these cases are simply related to the growing uterus in the abdomen at 17 weeks. The muscles and ligaments are still stretching to accommodate it, which can result in abdominal discomfort resembling cramps . When should you be concerned? When is it accompanied by fever and/or vaginal bleeding?
As the weight of the woman increases and the blood vessels are exposed to a particularly high load due to the pressure, varicose veins and hemorrhoids may begin to appear on the legs, and the first stretch marks may appear on the abdomen in the 17th week of pregnancy. In general, however, the symptoms should not be too bothersome at this time.
The most difficult symptoms may include:
- constipation
- nosebleeds
- runny nose,
- bleeding gums
- dizziness.
Significant fluctuations in blood pressure can easily cause dizziness, and the expectant mother may experience momentary imbalances. Furthermore, the baby's weight and the size of the belly are already large enough around 17 weeks that the body's center of gravity shifts forward, which can also make maintaining balance difficult. Another unusual symptom at this stage is vivid dreams. Many women experience them due to stress, anxiety, but also the influx of new, positive experiences.
It's worth remembering that in a twin pregnancy, week 17 may be a bit more challenging due to the larger combined size and weight of the babies. Twin pregnancies also carry a slightly higher risk, so check-ups and ultrasounds should be regular.
Skin, hair, nails and pregnancy - 17th week
Some women in their pregnancy photos actually glow. This is due to increased blood circulation, which translates into a healthy flush and a more beautiful complexion . Hair and nails also grow faster than before. This is also facilitated by the more relaxed and healthier lifestyles of many expectant mothers.
On the other hand, hormonal changes during the 17th week of pregnancy may result in the unexpected appearance of hairs on the upper lip or acne. However, all of these symptoms are temporary.
Consultation:
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl – resident physician during specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
