Development Milestones for Your Baby at Pregnancy Week 17
Depending on their gender, where there was just swelling in between their legs, a clitoris or penis is fast developing. She now weighs about 180 grams and is about 20 centimeters tall and you can begin to feel her fluttering more.
At pregnancy week 17, your baby can now hear clearly. In fact your environment right now may form their sleeping patterns after she is born. For instance, if you spend most of your day in a place with blaring horns or loud music, the baby learns not to be startled by noise. After delivery, these are the babies that are able to sleep through noises in their surroundings. She can also sense your touch when you rub your belly, which you should do more to bond.
Related: Baby Development and Your Body’s Changes at Pregnancy Week 16
Symptoms and Changes in Your Body at Pregnancy Week 17
As your belly continues to bulge, you are now noticing signs that your center of gravity has shifted. When 17 weeks pregnant you might stumble on your feet a few times. If you have held onto them for this long, now is the time to put those kitten heels and wedgies in storage and start shopping for comfortable flats.
You may also feel occasional pain in the legs also known as sciatic nerve pain, caused by pressure on the nerves from your growing baby. During this week it is best to prop your legs with pillows when lying down and avoiding standing in the same place for too long.
You will also notice that you are now having more vivid dreams and memories. The myriad of emotions and the fact that you now feel more deeply explain the dreams as well as the constant sleep interruptions at night.
At pregnancy week 17, your appetite has also grown because the baby at this point is also rapidly growing. Don’t be tempted to suppress this urge due to possible weight gain because your baby needs this nourishment. You can also do a few gentle pregnancy exercises to stay fit and increase the chances of losing weight fast after birth. Sweating at this stage is also quite normal and indicates abundance of fluids in your body.
Pregnancy week 17 tip: This is the ideal time to begin thinking about baby names. Start discussing with your partner the criteria which you will use to choose a name for your little one.
Next Week: Pregnancy Week 18: Symptoms, Body Changes, and Baby Development
Personalized and Holistic Maternity Care at Malaica
If you’re yet to settle on a maternity care hospital at pregnancy week 17, Malaica’s holistic and personalized antenatal clinics could be your answer. From when you start your appointments until after birth, our team remains by your side throughout the journey. We also ensure you have community via an online group and peace of mind via 24/7 access to an emergency line. We go above and beyond for our mamas because we understand how challenging pregnancy and postpartum can be.
Learn more about our maternity care by sending us a message at +254 746 610643 or requesting us to call you.