You are 17 Weeks Pregnant!

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH YOU

Halfway between your navel and pubic bone, your uterus is rising up to greet the world. Increased secretions — from nasal to vaginal — are common as your blood volume increases.

You may be noticing tan-colored spots on your face. or chloasma may occur on the forehead, nose, upper lip and cheeks. Don’t worry, it’s not permanent, and it will fade soon after birth. Use sun block to prevent spots from darkening due to sun exposure, and continue taking your prenatal vitamins. Not only are they good for baby, but studies indicate that they may prevent excessive pigmentation.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

Going forward, growth and refinement of your baby’s existing systems and organs occurs. Your baby’s ears stand out from his or her head. (More or less depending on heredity.)

At 12 centimeters crown to rump, your baby is large enough to give you a good kick in the belly. Within the next month, you should be able to feel this five-ounce wonder throwing his or her weight around.

Unique fingerprints and toe prints are developing.

Meconium, your baby’s first bowel movement is beginning to collect in the colon. Your baby is actually digesting swallowed amniotic fluid. At this time, fat deposits will appear under your baby’s skin. This fat will help your baby to regulate his or her temperature after birth.

Circulation of blood is now established and the umbilical cord lengthens and thickens in response to the rapidly growing needs of your baby. The placenta and fetus are now almost equal in size.

EATING FOR TWO

Can’t sleep? Here are some ideas that may help:

  • Increase your intake of vitamin-B-rich foods.
  • Try an herb tea such as chamomile, marjoram or lemon.
  • Get some daily exercise, but avoid exercising close to bedtime.
  • Have a pre-bedtime snack to keep blood-sugar levels up while you sleep.
  • Drink some warm milk before heading to bed.
  • To avoid nightly visits to the bathroom, limit fluids after dinner.
  • Restrict your intake of caffeinated products such as coffee, tea, colas or chocolate.

FACT OF THE WEEK

Ninety percent of all pregnant women will get stretch marks. The good news is that for most women they’ll fade to silvery-white after pregnancy. While a propensity for developing stretch marks is inherited, here are some ideas that can’t hurt:

  • Eating well and exercising prior to and during pregnancy can help you maintain elastic skin tone, preventing stretch marks.
  • Don’t gain excessive weight and keep the gain steady to avoid overstretching of your skin.
  • Some practitioners don’t think creams work, but why not try them anyway? Buy some body lotion and massage away. At the very least, it will soothe your dry, flaky skin.

Here’s a homemade recipe for anti-stretch-mark skin cream:

In a blender, combine: 1/2 cup virgin olive oil, 1/2 cup aloe vera gel and six capsules vitamin E oil (opened). Keep this oil refrigerated and massage into areas with stretch marks at least once a day. (You may want to sit this jar in warm water to take off the chill before applying.)