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Your Pregnancy at Week 17

This week, your baby is as big as an artichoke.

Explore your pregnancy at Week 17

Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Week 17
Week 18
Week 19
Week 20
Week 21

23 Weeks to go!

The following information was reviewed by Dr. Cheng Ka Ning, Katherine

At A Glance

Week-17

Baby has grown eyelashes

The baby's body is continuing to develop. They now have fingerprints, eyelashes, and eyebrows.

You can now clearly see the gender of baby on ultrasound

If you haven't had your ultrasound yet, make sure to schedule one soon!

Constipation and bladder infection

Possible constipation and bladder pain from infection are common symptoms during pregnancy. If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure to tell your obstetrician and seek appropriate treatment methods.

Baby Development at 17 Weeks

active-movements

Active little athlete

Your growing baby is becoming more and more active in the womb. They are now able to make fluid movements and even have the strength to curl their toes and fingers. Their nails have also grown and their fingerprints are still developing.

In the 17th week, your baby's eyebrows and eyelashes will begin to grow slowly. The signals from their brain will also start to make their facial muscles work, so they may start making frowns and funny grimace expressions.

facial-expressions

Baby now has facial expressions

In the 17th week, baby's eyebrows and eyelashes began to grow slowly, and the signals from the brain also made the facial muscles work, and frowns and funny grimace expressions appeared!

identify-sex

Finally, find out if it's a boy or a girl!

Have you always wanted to know if your baby is a boy or a girl? An ultrasound examination at 17 weeks of pregnancy can usually reveal the gender clearly. If you wish to find out before 20 weeks, consider scheduling an obstetric examination to confirm the gender now.

Your Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 17

This week marks the 17th week of your pregnancy. For some women, this may be the week where they can find out the gender of their baby through a prenatal checkup. Additionally, this week may also bring about some common pregnancy complaints such as constipation and bladder pain which could be from an infection. Be sure to get advice from doctors if you have any concerns about your and your baby's health.

Limited bladder space leading to frequent urination

A pregnant woman's uterus continues to grow rapidly, leaving less and less room in her bladder. You may also notice yourself going to the toilet more often, and while it may be troublesome, frequent urination is a must in order to avoid a bladder infection. 

Changes in vaginal discharge, constipation, and haemorrhoids

Pregnant women may experience changes in their vaginal secretions during the 17-week period, and they may also suffer from constipation or hemorrhoids. To avoid this, it is important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. If you experience any serious problems, you should consult an obstetrician.

Becoming clumsy

As the belly gets heavier, pregnant women may lose their balance when walking. It is recommended to put away the high heels and replace them with comfortable low heels/flat shoes to reduce the risk of tripping. Pregnant women should also be careful when walking on slippery surfaces.

Excessive weight gain, rapid heartbeat

Weight gain is inevitable but it is important not to gain too much weight as this can lead to high blood pressure and increased heartrate. This can lead to palpitations or shortness of breath. It is important to monitor this with your doctor or midwife.

Symptoms you may experience in the 17th week of pregnancy

  • Frequent urination
  • Flatulence, constipation
  • Milky white discharge from the vagina
  • Breast tenderness
  • Pain on the side of the abdomen caused by a distended uterus
  • Limb edema, lower limb cramps
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Advice from OT&P Obstetricians

Structural Scan

Start thinking about booking a structural scan. The best time to examine the fetus' structure is during the 18th to 22nd week of pregnancy. This is when they can check for things such as the development of the brain and heart, as well as other organs. Additionally, they can observe the level of amniotic fluid and look for any abnormalities or physical deformities. The examination usually takes no more than an hour.

Aches & Pains

At 17 weeks pregnant, you may start to experience some back and muscle aches from the extra weight in your stomach. To help avoid this, be sure to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and consult with a nutritionist about supplements if needed. You may also want to consider investing in a maternity corset to help support your belly and lower back. Taking a maternity yoga class or seeing a women’s health physiotherapist will help soothe any sore muscles. From the fourth month of pregnancy, you should aim to control your weight gain so that you're only gaining 0.4 to 0.5 kilograms (kg) per week. If you're drinking alcohol, it's important to stop completely to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome. You can make an appointment with an obstetrician or midwife at OT&P to get all of your pregnancy-related questions answered.

Tips for 17 Weeks Pregnant

  • Wear elastic clothing to avoid cuffing your stomach
  • Make an appointment for an ultrasound to determine the sex of the fetus
  • Pregnant women over the age of 34 are advised to make an appointment for amniocentesis
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Use a maternity corset to lose belly weight

 

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