17 Weeks Pregnant

Read about...

• Your Baby
• You
• 5th Month of Pregnancy Video
• Diary of a Daughter

Your Baby

Your little one at this stage has grown quite a bit larger weighing somewhere around four to five ounces and is approximately five inches in length.

If you were to hold your child in this stage, he/she would rest comfortably in the palm of your hand.

At this time period of the pregnancy the fetus experiences many changes.

The cranium begins to develop bone replacing the previous cartilage.

The little heart is pumping more than twenty-five ounces of blood through the body per day.

By now your child has noticed the joints and the ability to move them - he/she will begin to move them frequently.

The umbilical cord has become stronger.

The sweat glands have begun their development and your child has the ability to hear now.

This is a great opportunity to begin the bond with your child. Because he/she can hear sounds now some experts say that playing a calming music helps.

Talking to your child will strengthen the bond along with rubbing your tummy in slow circular motions. Even though your child is still pretty small, your touch can be felt.

All of these actions can assist in not only bonding with your child but keeping him/her calm.

If you want to get serious with caring for your baby's mental wellbeing and development already, check out the Baby Plus Prenatal Education System

This program provides audio lessons for your baby-to-be. You simply strap on the apparel; very easy to use and quite an interesting opportunity to try out, even though it is of course impossible to say if your baby's rapid development after birth has been improved by using Baby Plus.

But it certainly won't hurt your baby, so why not give it a try?

You

You are experiencing extenuating changes as well. Your uterus is no longer attempting to cradle a ball but rather an egg-shaped object. Your organs will shift aside as necessary to make room.

You may be starting to show a little bit. Exciting, huh!?

As your uterus has positioned itself below your belly button, you may be developing a tiny pooch. You may even feel a little off balance. As your belly grows larger gravity will begin to have an effect on you.

When riding or driving wear your seatbelt, but wear it comfortably. Be sure to keep the lap portion of the belt below your tummy; wear it across your hips.

You should be gaining weight at a steady pace. Welcome this opportunity...you are ensuring life.

Your body is discharging pretty frequently now. It appears as a white milky substance. This is normal and your body's way of keeping your vagina clean to avoid infections. The odorless substance is all part of the change.

If it does possess an odor it could be a yeast infection and should be discussed with your doctor immediately.

You might want to reassess your life. Stressful situations for work and/or personal reasons should be avoided. Studies have proven that stress can cause difficulties during pregnancy � premature birth, difficulties during labor etc.

Of course, some stress just cannot be avoided. In this case take the opportunity to listen to some calming music with your little one and relax as soon as you can.

5th Month of Pregnancy Video

If seeing is believing for you; watch this video explaining the fifth month of pregnancy in pictures and words.

Instructions: When watching the video clips, start the videos by clicking the small arrow down to the left, not the large one in the middle of the screen. If you're using Internet Explorer as your browser and the video doesn't start, try clicking twice on the small arrow.

Diary of a Daughter