Highlights this week
Baby development at 17 weeks
- The umbilical cord, your baby's lifeline, is now thicker and stronger
- Your baby's pancreas is making insulin
- Cartilage in your baby's skeleton is hardening into bone
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Your baby weighs as much as a turnip
length
13
cm
head to toe
weight
140
g
How your life's changing
First-time mums often start to feel their baby's movements around now. Many women report that the first sensations are fluttery or like butterflies in the stomach. Unfortunately, your partner won't be able to share in your excitement just yet - real kicking doesn't usually start for a month or so.As your body gently expands, you may feel less than glamorous. Take some time to feel good about your changing body in the coming weeks. Even if you don't feel attractive your partner probably still finds you a turn on. It's quite safe to have sex right up until your waters break, provided there is no medical reason not to, such as bleeding. Some women find that their libido increases during pregnancy while others go right off making love - it's quite normal either way. If finding a comfortable position is the problem then follow our tips.
You may also notice that the areola, the darkish area around your nipples, is getting larger as your breasts expand. It's a harmless side effect of pregnancy but it may last as long as 12 months after the birth. You may have noticed other skin changes such as the linea nigra and the mask of pregnancy; both of which will also fade after the baby is born.
See the wide variety in pregnancy bellies in this slideshow of baby bumps at 16 to 18 weeks of pregnancy.
- Your growing belly may cause you to be off balance
- Blood pressure changes can make you dizzy, so don't stand up too fast
Pregnancy tip: an alternative way to treat piles and varicose veins
"Nibble on sunflower seeds, which are rich in the type of Vitamin E it's healthy for you to have in pregnancy. Not getting enough of this vitamin may be linked to piles and varicose veins." -- JenniferThings to consider
It's a good idea to talk through your family finances with your partner well before your baby's born; they could feel relieved if they've been worrying about it. Read about one partner''s money saving tips.Keep eating as healthily as you can, to supply the nutrients you need to help your baby grow.
What is the glucose tolerance test and why might you need one?
Why it's common in pregnancy to have a stuffy nose and how to treat it if it develops into sinusitis.
Megan Rive is a communication, content strategy and project delivery specialist. She was Babycenter editor for six years.
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