The ultimate HerFamily guide to your pregnancy: Week 17
Week 17 – you're in the 2nd Trimester! Read more about trimesters here.
This week....
Your baby
Is about 11cm – the size of a big onion – and weighs about 140g.
Fat is forming beneath the translucent skin. The umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker.
If you're having a girl, hundreds of thousands of eggs have formed in her ovaries — the next generation!
We are sure you have begun your list of baby names at this stage! Here is some further inspiration for any adventurous mums-to-be: 13 Awesome Baby Names Inspired By Cool Places
You
As your shape becomes “pregnant” and your body releases relaxin – a hormone that loosens ligaments and muscles – you will start to experience more aches and pains in your back, pelvis and hips. Relaxin is why your feet may also expand and even grow in size. (Another reason to say goodbye to those heels!)
Other pregnancy hormones can cause your gums to bleed so keep an eye on your dental hygiene. Expect loads of vaginal mucus. Delightful.
Like we said, if you are having a girl, hundreds of thousands of eggs have formed in her ovaries. While you are approaching the time at which you can find out the sex, you might not want to. But that doesn't mean you can't guess with the help of some of these old wives' tales.
OUCH: If you are finding that your feet are sore and swollen, there are ways of easing your tootsies including putting your feet up and laying off the salt.
Sore feet are unfortunately one of the many symptoms of pregnancy but there are lots of other lovely things that come along with that baby bump- some of them you expect, others not so much!
Book some pampering!
When being preggers curtails your weekend jaunts to Zara, pushes the pause button on cocktail hour and cancels wine time, it's time to look a little further afield for fun.
Just because you are elbow deep in the business of growing a baby, does not mean you shouldn't seek out as many opportunities to enjoy yourself as possible.
We've come up with a list of the top treatments to try. Feel free to mail it to your other half and your mates too... hint hint.
REQUIRED READING: 10 of the BEST Pregnancy Massages in Ireland (You Deserve It, Mama!)
You are bumping along nicely now! Have a look at Week 18 to see what you can expect next on your pregnancy journey!
