17 Weeks Pregnant

The 17th week of pregnancy is the last week of the fourth month of pregnancy. At 17 weeks pregnant we have some interesting symptoms and body changes to cover, including challenges you might be experiencing with your skin.

During  of course we're also going to cover baby developments and go over what you might be wanting to add to your “think” and “do” list. 

With all of the changes going on inside your body we can't forget that you might be experiencing some changes on the outside as well. Of course, the growing belly , but likely you've noticed growth in your breast by 17 weeks pregrnant.

Also common at this time is the darkening of the areolas with tenderness and sensitivity in your breast. The extra blood flow that's going to your skin might result in a pregnancy glow or on the downside, acne and dark spots. 

At this time you might start wondering if these changes are your new normal. Will you areolas stay dark? Will the dark spots stay forever? Most people do see these changes fade after birth or after the end of breastfeeding. 

Other symptoms that you might be experiencing this week include:

• Increased energy (hooray!)

• Round ligament pain

• Heartburn

• Leg cramps

• Skin changes

• Constipation

Now everyone is different, you may be experiencing all of the body changes and symptoms, maybe none of them, or somewhere in between, and it’s totally normal. Now, if you ever have any concerns about a symptom or change with your body, don't hesitate to reach out to your care provider. 

I recommend keeping a list of questions for you doctor or midwife that you can ask at your next appointment. Something as simple as the notes app can be so helpful to make sure that you make the most out of each appointment. It is so common to go blank when your care provider asks if you have any questions! Next time, pull out your list in advance and be ready to go. 

Here is what is happening with babies development at 17 weeks pregnant:

• Fetus is about 5.1 inches (13 centimeters) in length which is similar in length to a turnip.

• Weight of the fetus is just about 5.9 ounces, about the weight of three tennis balls.

• Fetus' senses are continuing to develop and they might even respond to light stimuli like a flashlight pointed up against your belly.

• The brain continues to develop rapidly with neurons and pathways forming and that's going to become the foundation for the baby's ability to think, reason, and understand.

• Baby may hear sounds from outside the womb, such as your voice and your partner's voice or even common sounds that might come from a pet. 

Let's discuss what you might want to be thinking about and doing when you are 17 weeks pregnant.  

You may be thinking about adding a pregnancy pillow into your sleep routine for that added comfort. I also highly recommend setting up a bedtime routine for yourself along with an actual bedtime.

Bedtime routines are a great way of easing our body into sleep, setting ourselves up for sleep success . Some people enjoy listening to relaxing music while they fall asleep, and here’s an 8-hour soundtrack that you might enjoy.

It is a great time to start thinking about what classes you might be interested in and looking at the options that are available to you. You might want to learn about the benefits that are included in your health insurance plan or your Healthcare spending account as well.

Classes that you might want to consider are: childbirth education, CPR, breastfeeding, and newborn care. Check out the top childbirth class questions I have prepared for you to help you prepare for this life-changing event. 

If you are considering an on demand couples class to prepare you for labor and birth, check out the one I teach called Birth Toolbox. 

As nausea starts going away and energy levels begin to rise, most of us start feeling better in the second trimester which is why I'm thrilled to announce this week's blog sponsor, Better Shea Butter.

Better Shea butter is the maker of small batch magnesium cream. My favorite is lavender, which I love the smell of, and is great for sleep. There's also an unscented version of vanilla rose and a peppermint. This cream contains a high concentration of magnesium, and unlike other magnesium creams that I have tested out, this one is not sticky. It actually has a really luxurious feel on your skin. 

Better Shea Butter is a small company that is based in Austin, Texas. They have a formulation lab inside their warehouse making these products by hand. The company shared with me that these creams were actually created after an employee who was pregnant.

She was actually struggling with leg cramps and they wanted a natural solution. Now, their formula contains no artificial fragrances and is fast absorbing.

Thank you so much Better Shea Butter for helping us out during pregnancy, and thank you for supporting childbirth education.

(if you are a brand interested in supporting childbirth education, please reach out to Alice at alice@birthtoolbox.com)

Before you go make sure you're getting our  Weekly Newsletter  . I hope your 17th week of pregnancy is a good one. Don't forget to hit the Subscribe button so that you can follow along through the weeks ahead. See you next week.