At the age of 17 weeks of pregnancy the weight of the child is 100 grams, but the height from the crown to the coccyx is about 11-12 cm. The baby has already developed all the joints, and the skeleton, which used to look like cartilage, began to sting. The hearing is getting better, this week the umbilical cord, which connects the baby with the placenta, thickens and grows stronger.
The gestation period is 17 weeks: changes that occur with the baby.
This week of pregnancy, kidneys begin their activity; they are already in their final place and secrete urine, thus replenishing the amniotic fluid. Despite the fact that the isolation system began functioning, the main organ of excretion is still the placenta, ending its formation processes at week 18. The movements of the baby are already more active, and they can be discerned if the woman has a repeat pregnancy. Reflex movements of the arms and legs of the child - this is a kind of training for his muscles. It is worth saying that by the 17th week of pregnancy the baby already coordinates the movements of the head and hands: he can find his mouth with a fist and sucks his finger. Fingers on the pens and legs have developed well and can be easily seen with ultrasound. When the fetus sucks a finger or a fist, it swallows the amniotic fluid, and with them comes a fluid that ensures the functioning of the digestive and excretory systems.
Changes of the future mother.
The bottom of the uterus in this week of pregnancy is already located between the navel and the pannus joint. By this week, the weight gain of a pregnant woman is 2.25 - 4.5 kg. Weight has increased, the stomach has grown and the center of gravity has shifted, so the future mother has become a bit awkward. It is worth removing the shoes on a large heel and go for comfortable sneakers, loafers and other comfortable shoes. If a woman feels stable, this will lead to confidence and a sense of security. At the age of 17 weeks, abdominal trauma can lead to negative consequences, so do not forget to fasten the seat belt in the car and let the strap underneath the belly.
Medicines that are dispensed without a prescription.
Most women think that drugs that are dispensed in a pharmacy without a prescription are completely harmless and use them for every occasion, regardless of pregnancy. In addition, studies have shown that during pregnancy, the use of such drugs is only greater.
It is worth knowing that drugs that seem absolutely safe can harm a growing baby. When using them, it is worthwhile to be cautious, as well as with the use of medicines that are prescribed by prescription. Because they have a very complex composition. They may contain aspirin, phenacetin, caffeine, as in some pain relievers, or alcohol. For example, cough syrups and hypnotics can have about 25% alcohol. Their use in pregnancy is equivalent to the use of wine or beer.
Do not take aspirin and medications that contain it, since aspirin can cause bleeding, which is very harmful, especially before childbirth.
Another drug with which one should be more careful is ibuprofen. It is included in a large number of drugs, prescription and without it. There is evidence that it led to undesirable consequences. So is it worth the risk?
Some antacids, neutralizing the acid, have sodium bicarbonate, that is, baking soda. A large amount of sodium in the body leads to fluid retention, gassing, constipation. The rest of the antacid preparations include aluminum, which also causes constipation and reacts with other minerals. The other part of the drugs includes magnesium, and its overdose can lead to poisoning.
Dreams of pregnant women.
By 17 weeks, more dreams may appear. In many respects this is the result of frequent interruptions of sleep for trips to the toilet, seizures in the legs or the search for a comfortable position for sleep. When interrupting the phases of shallow sleep, there is more likelihood of remembering dreams.
There is an opinion that pregnant dreams personify your fears, excitement from changes, both physical and emotional, that happen to you.
Part of the common theme of dreams and analysis by psychologist Patricia Garfield:
Caring for children of animals.
During the second trimester, most pregnant women see puppies, chickens, and kittens in their sleep. Creation data in dreams are symbols of appeal to instincts. Aggressive animals can personify uncertainty over a new being that appears in a pregnant woman's life.
Sexuality.
This period of pregnancy makes many pregnant women worry about changes in the figure and this negatively affects their sexual activity, while others, on the contrary, feel more sexual. And all these emotions often go through dreams. Erotic dreams again can restore confidence in the attractiveness, sexuality, felt throughout the day.
Your half is cheating on you.
Dreams that your half "meets" the ex-girlfriend or someone else, it's a lack of confidence in your abilities and that you can not keep your love and attention. At this time, the pregnant woman is dependent on the attitude and support of others and a partner. Fear of losing it means a normal emotional reaction during pregnancy.
17 week of pregnancy: lessons.
It is worth pondering the name of the future baby. You can write a list of several names that are more to your liking. And you need to ask about this same partner. Then you need to exchange lists and everyone will delete the name that you do not like. Then continue until you have a list of names with which both mom and dad will agree. It is worth explaining to each other about the preference for certain names. Some even can come up with certain rules, for example, you can not write the names of former partners or names that were once used for pet names.
Children of smokers' mothers.
The low weight of the baby at birth is the most common problem that occurs in newborn smokers. These babies are born with an average weight, which is 150 - 200 grams less than in non-smoking pregnant women. The outflow of amniotic fluid and the detachment of the placenta before the term occurs approximately 3 to 4 times more in smokers than in non-smokers. Another common problem is the increased risk of miscarriage. In some parts of the study, an increased incidence of mental underdevelopment and disease - "hare lip / wolf mouth" in mothers who smoke. It is worth saying that most of this is due to the fact that the fetus inhales the smoke, and not from the fact that nicotine enters the body. It is already believed that the nicotine patch is safer than smoking a cigarette.