Week 17

Their skeleton is now forming and hardening and a layer of fat has started forming under their skin. Your organs are shifting to make way for your growing uterus and you might feel some pregnancy related symptoms such as constipation. Read on to find out more about how you can relieve this.

At 17 weeks your baby is now about 17cm long. Their kidneys are now working well and they’re urinating several times per day. Their urine is filtered back to you through the placenta and is managed by your body. Your baby’s hearing is also improving day by day. If you’re one of the lucky ones who feels the fluttering of their baby moving early on in their pregnancy, you may notice that they respond to sudden loud noises from the outside world.

Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. It may be more troublesome from now on as your baby gets bigger. A diet rich in fibre can help, so make sure you include high-fibre food at every meal and try to snack on fruit and veg between meals. Oat or bran cereal is ideal for breakfast while wholegrain bread, wholemeal pasta, pulses and jacket potatoes can add fibre to other meals. Fluids are also vital to ensure that you avoid constipation – aim for at least 2 litres of water throughout the day. If this sounds like a lot, remember that fruit juices or smoothies count too.

As well as affecting your mood, pregnancy hormones can affect the soft tissues in your body, which may mean softer, more sensitive gums. Brush more gently or try a softer toothbrush and remember to floss. If you get sore or bleeding gums, speak to your dentist.

Learn about constipation in pregnancy >>

If you’ve got questions about your pregnancy or birth, just get in touch with our Careline team, for advice and support on 800 6458 6262 (UAE)/ +971 4 420 9489 (Other countries) between the hours of 9am and 6pm Saturday to Thursday.