17 weeks nagging pain. Stomach pain during pregnancy: when to be alarmed. Intestinal problems

Most women associate pregnancy with a wonderful time and harmonious development child. However, they do not always think about the problems and troubles of this period. One of them is pain.

Sometimes a wonderful period of pregnancy can be overshadowed by pain, which most often occurs in the abdomen and back. Pain at the 17th week of pregnancy is one of the most common phenomena, since it is from this period that the belly begins to grow. However, despite the nature of the spasms, it is necessary to consult a doctor to eliminate the threat of interruption.

Abdominal pain at 17 weeks of pregnancy: uterine growth or threat of miscarriage

Usually this week of pregnancy proceeds calmly and without pain, but in some cases, due to the growing uterus, a feeling of heaviness or sharp cramps may occur. You need to pay attention to pain in the 17th week of pregnancy and be sure to consult a doctor. Most often, pain at the 17th week of pregnancy is sharp and stabbing in nature, it occurs with sudden movements or lifting heavy objects. As soon as the woman calms down and rests, the pain disappears.

In this case, there is no need to worry; often these spasms mark the 17th week of pregnancy. The stomach hurts not only during the growth of the uterus, but also when there is a threat of termination of pregnancy. In this case, the pain will be regular and aching, and discharge is possible. Under no circumstances should you wait or self-medicate. You need to see a doctor urgently!

In most cases, pregnant women with pain in the lower abdomen are prescribed painkillers, the main one of which is Noshpa. If at the 17th week of pregnancy your stomach hurts or cramps appear, then taking this particular drug is indicated, since it has a herbal composition, which is absolutely safe for the child. For uterine tone, if the stomach hurts at 17 weeks of pregnancy, Magne B6 is prescribed, which relaxes the muscles of the pelvis and uterus and eliminates spasms. It is also used for cramps in the arms and legs during pregnancy.

Pain in the stomach and intestines

At first glance, it may seem that pregnant women may only suffer from abdominal pain associated with the growth of the uterus or miscarriage. But this is far from true, especially if you are 17 weeks pregnant. A pulling in the stomach, stabbing pains occur - these are also signs of improper functioning of the intestines, and if there are also spasms in the stomach area, then most likely there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract. At the 17th week of pregnancy, the stomach is pulled more often precisely because of improper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

This is due to the fact that by the second trimester toxicosis disappears and appetite appears, the woman begins to eat quite a lot, as a result, the stomach and intestines become clogged, which are especially sensitive during pregnancy. At the 17th week of pregnancy, when the stomach feels tight due to a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, doctors prescribe herbal preparations that will help cleanse the organs and will not harm the baby. These are “Mezim”, “Gastrapharm”, “Smecta”.

You cannot endure the pain; you can additionally take one Noshpa tablet. And, of course, it is important to follow a diet, try to eat more fruits, vegetables, foods containing fiber, and do not forget to drink enough water.

Dangerous abdominal pain: what to do?

Despite the fact that pain during pregnancy occurs quite often, it is necessary to treat it very carefully. The 17th week of pregnancy is especially important. Back pain and abdominal pain are a dangerous symptom for any pregnant woman. If at 17 weeks of pregnancy your back hurts, sharp, increasing cramps appear in the abdominal area, then you need to urgently consult a doctor or call an ambulance. With such pain, you need to react immediately! But if you are 17 weeks pregnant and only your back hurts, then most likely the placenta is located on the back wall of the uterus, the fetus is growing, and the load on the lower back increases. This suggests that you will soon need a bandage, which will ease the load until the end of pregnancy.

However, if you are 17 weeks pregnant, your stomach is constantly tugging, your back is aching, then you should think about whether everything is okay with the baby. First of all, you need to contact a gynecologist and talk about the nature of the pain. If it is sudden and sharp, begins in the abdomen and radiates to the lower back, or is constantly aching, regardless of the degree of load, then there may be a threat of interruption. If at 17 weeks the stomach is constantly pulling, then continuous medical supervision is necessary.

Another cause of pain may be premature detachment placenta. This is possible both at the 17th week of pregnancy, when the stomach is tight, and at a later stage. One of the important symptoms, in addition to abdominal and back pain, is spotting or even significant blood loss.

As soon as such symptoms appear, you need to urgently go to the doctor or call an ambulance! It must be remembered that any pain during pregnancy can be dangerous, so it is better to immediately consult a doctor who is monitoring the pregnancy. If your stomach hurts at the 17th week of pregnancy, then it is important to exclude all physical activity, constantly be at rest, lie down more, and do not use hot water. If your stomach begins to hurt at 17 weeks of pregnancy due to the growth of the uterus and the beginning of displacement internal organs, then doctors prescribe “Noshpa” and “Magne B6”, sometimes “Papaverine”. If your stomach hurts at 17 weeks, but it does not threaten the fetus, then you can take an infusion of lingonberries or cranberries, and if the cramps intensify, take ½ Noshpa tablet. However, you should not self-medicate and it is better to consult a doctor immediately.

The 17th week of pregnancy occurs in the middle of the second trimester and is the calmest period of gestation. Early toxicosis and attacks of weakness are left behind, and the stomach has not yet increased so much as to impede movement and create significant stress on the spine. Also in the fifth month, the woman begins to feel fetal movements.

The thickness of the placenta at 17 weeks of pregnancy is 1.7 cm. By this time, it is already fully performing its functions, the main of which are:

The gradual thickening of the placenta is a normal physiological process, since as the embryo grows, it requires more nutrients.

Its slow development leads to fetal hypoxia, when the child experiences a lack of oxygen and also suffers from an insufficient supply of substances necessary for development. As a result, the newborn may have too little weight, weak body resistance to external factors, and may also be born prematurely.

During times of stress, great emotional stress, lack of sleep, infectious and viral diseases of the mother, a sharp thickening and maturation of the placenta occurs. This can cause premature labor.

Fetal development

The weight of the unborn child at the 17th week of development reaches 135-140 g, and the height is 12-13 cm. By this time, the fetus’s arms, legs and internal organs are already fully formed. Now characteristic facial features begin to appear, the eyes begin to function and perceive light.

Sense organs

During this period, the formation of the auditory tube ends, and the child begins to perceive sounds coming from outside. Of course, he does not understand the meaning of the words, but reacts with chaotic movements to shouting and loud music. He is greatly excited by the combination of sharp sounds and the nervous state of the mother, which occurs during a quarrel or unforeseen extreme situations. But gentle beautiful music, the soft voice of mother and others, the sounds of the sea and forest, birdsong, a lullaby evoke peace and tranquility.

Teeth and bones

The 17th week of pregnancy is characterized by the beginning of hair growth and the formation of permanent teeth. During this period, it is necessary to ensure sufficient intake of calcium and phosphorus into the mother’s body. Preference should be given to food products containing these macroelements, rather than synthetic drugs, which are often not absorbed and pass through the digestive system.

Immunity

At this time, the fetal immune system begins to independently produce interferon and immunoglobulin, which protects it from many pathological factors. This explains the fact that the disease with rubella, herpes and some other viral diseases, causing significant deformities of the embryo in the first trimester of pregnancy, after the fifth week do not have such negative influence. However, the mother needs to understand that any infection increases the production of antibodies, which aggressively affect not only pathogenic microorganisms, but also the fetus, mistaking it for foreign. With increased uterine tone or insufficient hormonal levels, this can play a decisive role and cause a miscarriage.

Leather

At 17 weeks, subcutaneous fatty tissue is formed, which is responsible for the baby’s thermoregulation. A vernix lubricant appears on the skin, containing skin flakes, sebaceous gland secretions, hormones and other substances.

It performs the following functions:

• prevents the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms into the fetal body;
• protects the skin from the aggressive effects of amniotic fluid;
• helps pass through the birth canal during childbirth.

Internal organs

At this stage, the formation of the chambers of the heart is completed, and it begins to fulfill its function of pumping blood and transporting nutrients to all organs and tissues of the fetus.

The adrenal glands begin to produce adrenaline and norepinephrine. At the same time, the activity of the pituitary gland is activated, which stimulates the production of corticosteroids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, by the adrenal cortex.

Fetal movements

Pregnancy of 17 weeks is characterized by the appearance of sensations of fetal movement. This period is considered quite arbitrary, since thin women can feel these movements a little earlier. But for more early stages they can easily be confused with bowel function. IN dark time The child may become quiet during the day and become more active during the day.

Its movements may feel like light stroking, fluttering or pressing. This phenomenon is purely individual in nature and does not have specific norms.

Volume and shape of the abdomen

At 17 weeks, the placenta already weighs 500 g and increases significantly in size. This leads to an increase in the volume of the mother's abdomen and even the possible appearance of stretch marks on the skin around the hip joints and on the sides of the abdomen.

And although there are predisposing genetic factors for their formation, it can be prevented with constant care.

To do this you need:

• monitor your diet, including foods rich in collagen, vitamins A and E;
• use scrub regularly ground coffee or sugar;
• lubricate the skin natural oils against stretch marks (olive, almond, cocoa butter, and wheat germ);
• Moisturize your skin regularly.

You can also use pharmaceutical creams and ointments for stretch marks, having first read the information about the composition and contraindications.

In some women, at 17 weeks the stomach is still practically not enlarged. This should not be a cause for concern. The explanation for this may be the low presentation of the fetus or the structural features of the mother's body.

The shape of the abdomen can be round, oval, pear-shaped and even asymmetrical. It depends on:

• embryo position;
• the amount of fat deposits in the waist and abdomen;
• condition of the abdominal muscles;
• volume of amniotic fluid;
• anatomical features of the structure of the mother’s pelvis;
• number of fruits.

An “irregular” abdominal shape is not considered a pathology. However, if frequent pain and discomfort occur, this may be a symptom of increased uterine tone. Therefore, if such signs appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Trouble

Each pregnancy is individual, but several of the most common signs of this period can be identified.

Intestinal problems

The growing fetus puts a certain pressure on the mother's internal organs, which can lead to compression of the intestines, bloating and constipation.

This is also facilitated by a decrease in smooth muscle tone, which is a consequence of the effects of hormones. During this period it is necessary to switch to fractional meals. You need to eat food 5-6 times a day in small portions. It is worth excluding foods that cause fermentation and gas formation. Also, do not get carried away with sweets and baked goods, which will certainly lead to weight gain due to fat deposits. In addition, they will not bring any benefit to the child, but synthetic additives and dyes can have a negative effect on him.

You should also not eat food 2 hours before bedtime. Intestinal peristalsis can cause increased fetal movements and prevent the mother from resting peacefully.

Heartburn

Heartburn during this period occurs extremely rarely, since compression of the stomach does not yet occur. However, it can be triggered by spicy, sour or fried foods, as well as large quantities of them. Those women who prefer not to use pharmacological drugs during pregnancy can be advised to relieve heartburn attacks with a few sips of warm milk.

Stomach ache

At week 17, nagging pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar region may occur. This is due to the ongoing stretching of the ligamentous apparatus of the pelvis, which is gradually preparing for childbirth. Pain is most often felt during sharp turns, bending, bending, lifting weights and other movements. It usually goes away after relaxing and taking a horizontal position. But if the pain is sharp, cramping or prolonged, and is also accompanied by bloody discharge, this may signal a threat of failure.

In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor or undergo an ultrasound to find out the cause of these signs.

Unpleasant sensations when urinating

Pain or burning during urination may be associated with an inflammatory process. It must be urgently eliminated so that it does not spread to the genitals, especially the uterus. Treatment must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, especially when antibiotic therapy is needed.

Sweating and vaginal discharge

Under the influence of hormones in a woman’s body, metabolism accelerates and the heartbeat increases. This leads to a slight increase in heat exchange, and, consequently, the production of more sweat even with low physical activity. The volume of vaginal discharge also increases, which is a physiological norm.

If streaks of blood, flakes, an unpleasant odor appear in them, the color has become yellowish, green or brown, then you should inform your gynecologist about this.

Changes in breast sensitivity at 17 weeks of pregnancy are also a fairly individual factor. In some women it decreases compared to the first trimester, in others, on the contrary, a burning sensation or an acute reaction to cold and touch appears.

The following symptoms are also common:

• manifestation of venous pattern;
• darkening of the nipples, their swelling and soreness;
• tingling sensation, itching and other signs of discomfort.

Breast tenderness may be caused by estrogen production. Slight nagging or aching pain, increased sensitivity during hypothermia are natural processes. But there are symptoms that cannot be ignored, as they indicate the development of diseases. The most common of them are the following.

Lactostasis

This disease occurs as a result of milk production in the early stages of pregnancy. Finding no way out, it stagnates in the ducts and is manifested by the appearance of small seals, pain when pressed and redness of the skin.

Mastitis

Most often, this pathology is registered after childbirth, but in isolated cases it appears at the 17th week of pregnancy. The disease can be caused by mechanical blockage of the milk ducts, and can also be infectious.

First, redness and an increase in temperature appear in the area of ​​​​obstruction, the breast enlarges and becomes hard, bursting pain appears, intensifying during touching.

Then the general body temperature rises, weakness and lethargy appear. Lack of timely treatment can lead to surgical intervention, and in severe cases - to premature birth and even death.

The nature of discharge from the mammary glands at the 17th week of pregnancy can vary significantly, but does not go beyond the physiological norm. In the first case, it may look like a clear liquid that is released when you press on the nipple, during its stimulation with hot water or massage, or during stress.

This secretion is also formed in non-pregnant women, only in smaller quantities. It protects the milk ducts from sticking together.

In some cases, at 17 weeks, colostrum begins to appear, which is a yellowish, sticky and viscous liquid. During pregnancy, expressing colostrum is strictly prohibited.

This can lead not only to stimulation of milk production, but also to infection. To prevent the released liquid from staining your clothes, you should put special pads in your bra. We should not forget about careful adherence to hygiene rules.

Sex life

With a normal pregnancy at 17 weeks, it makes no sense to refuse sexual intercourse. During this period, a woman can completely relax, since there is no need to use protection.

Increasing blood flow to the genitals enhances sensations, orgasm becomes brighter, stronger and longer.

A small belly volume does not interfere with intimacy, so partners can choose any position. The only limitation is the position when a man, whose weight significantly exceeds the woman’s body weight, is located on top and puts strong pressure on the partner’s body.

Sex during this period of time has a positive effect on the mother’s nervous system, as it stimulates the production of the joy hormone (endorphin). Also during intercourse, the internal muscles of the vagina are massaged and the ligaments of the hip joints are stretched.

You will have to refuse sex if there is increased tone of the uterus, bleeding from the vagina or pain during intercourse.

Another important factor is the partner’s absence of sexually transmitted diseases and hidden sexually transmitted infections.

When is an ultrasound required?

In the second trimester of pregnancy, routine ultrasound is performed between 18 and 21 weeks. This study may be performed at week 17 for the following indications:

At 17 weeks, ultrasound can clearly distinguish the arms and legs, genitals of the fetus, facial expressions and possible developmental anomalies. The doctor takes measurements of certain parts of the body, determines the symmetry of the limbs, mobility and rhythm of the heartbeat.

Particular attention is paid to the umbilical cord. At this stage it should be completely formed. Three large blood vessels should be clearly visible in it.

Reason to see a doctor

At the 17th week of pregnancy, symptoms may arise that you should pay attention to and tell a specialist about them. These include:

At 17 weeks, you should avoid being in stuffy, gas-filled rooms and crowded places, and try to use public transport less often. If you experience frequent attacks of weakness and dizziness, you should not drive a car.

The fifth month of your pregnancy begins. Time flies by unnoticed expectant mother, she is more concerned about future motherhood. Soon you will be able to feel the movement of your baby if you have not yet experienced this wonderful feeling.

Fetal development at 17 weeks of gestation

Assuming a normal pregnancy, the baby grows rapidly and also gains weight quickly. He has already stretched to about 13 cm and has noticeably gained weight: about 140 grams.

There is a very high probability that at this time you will be able to feel the baby moving for the first time. The movements are practically imperceptible, and each woman has her own description of this. Some compare it with the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings, and there are also comparisons with the barely noticeable splashing of a fish. One way or another, even if the baby announced himself at this time, it is impossible to predict his movements. In addition, a significant part of the movements are simply not noticed by the mother.

At this time, the placenta also develops rapidly. From the first weeks, the placenta is a thin shell with villi, and by the end of pregnancy it is already a dense mass, and its weight will be 480 g. At this stage, the placenta is sufficiently formed, it has a dense network of blood vessels, thanks to which nutrients pass through and waste substances are eliminated . It is the same size as a baby's.

At the 17th week of pregnancy, the deposition of “brown fat” occurs; it is a special type of adipose tissue, very important for organizing the body’s heat exchange, because skin The baby is still too young for education.

The child at this stage is already developing the ability to respond to loud sounds from the outside. According to the results of special studies, when scanning with an ultrasound machine, you can notice how the baby changes its movement activity after hearing the sounds produced by a special device, which is located near the mother’s abdominal wall. This indicates that the mother can and should introduce the baby to music, song, tell fairy tales and read rhymes.

The primordia of baby teeth are covered by the underlying tissue of the tooth. The formation of permanent teeth is formed. By this time, the baby’s immune system is already completing its formation. At the moment, it can form interferon and immunoglobulin. And now mother’s infectious diseases are not so dangerous. Rib cage the child makes breathing movements. It is already possible to hear the beating of a small heart using a specialized device.

The productive activity of the adrenal glands increases, which results in the synthesis of necessary hormones. The pituitary gland actively begins to work, and the connection with the hypothalamus becomes stronger.

At this stage, the baby’s skin is covered with birth lubricant, white-pink in color, and it is this that will serve while he is in amniotic fluid protection against infections. After birth, it will be removed from the newborn’s body.

Woman at this stage

By this time, your weight has increased from approximately 2.3 to 4.5 kg. The heart's work became one and a half times faster than usual. All this is necessary to help the placenta feed the growing baby. Blood circulation increases, which subsequently increases pressure on blood vessels small circle. As a result, bleeding from the nose or gums is possible. Sweating and sexual discharge may also increase.

Your child already has his own immune system, but the expectant mother should not relax. Eliminate foods and drinks containing caffeine from your diet. Add less salt to your food and ensure an increased supply of calcium to your body. Pay attention to vaginal discharge, as it is likely to appear or worsen.

Start performing a special complex physical exercise, provided that you have no health restrictions. This is necessary primarily to strengthen the genital muscles. You also need to master the technique of relaxing the muscles of the perineum and abdominal muscles, study the features. All this will play important role during the birth process. The fundus of the uterus at this stage is located 4-5 cm down from the navel. The uterus continues to grow, but most of all it increases in length, not in breadth, acquiring an oval shape. The uterus has already filled the small pelvis and continues to grow, rising to the stomach; in the near future it will reach the liver.

The expectant mother begins to experience pain in her lower back, this is due to the growth of the baby and, accordingly, his weight. Therefore, try to rest as often as possible when you feel tired and uncomfortable. However, do not forget about activity, do household chores, take walks.

By this stage it has increased, and the tummy has also grown accordingly. The waist is practically no longer visible. But stretch marks are already beginning to appear on the skin. Therefore, you should not stop using cosmetics skin care. Your skin is probably a little dry right now, your breasts are plump and a web of veins is visible on the surface. An enlarged tummy and swollen breasts will no longer allow mom to sleep on her stomach. There is a possibility that you may experience discomfort in the calf muscle area while you sleep. These are the consequences of a lack of calcium in the body. At the same time, the thyroid gland is now functioning most actively, which results in increased sweating and fatigue.

As mentioned above: the uterus continues to grow, while its size puts pressure on the intestines. As a result, heartburn and increased gas formation appear. This can be prevented with proper nutrition and an active lifestyle. The appearance of a burning sensation and pain in the perineal area after emptying the bladder indicates the occurrence of cystitis, the appearance of which is not uncommon during pregnancy.

By this time, there is a possibility that the pregnant woman’s face will also change: her nose will swell a little, her lips seem to have become larger, and a blush appears on her cheeks. It is likely that there were age spots. All this will disappear after childbirth.

Abdomen at 17 weeks of pregnancy: pain

Quite often, at seventeen weeks, there are sipping sensations in the area of ​​the sides of the abdomen. This nagging pain on the sides of the abdomen is the result of stretching of the ligaments that hold the rapidly expanding uterus.

In the case when the abdominal pain is nagging and the lower abdomen is aching, and cramping pain appears, reminiscent of pain during menstruation, this is probably a consequence of increased uterine tone. If you do experience such pain, do not make sudden movements and lie down immediately. If the pain does not go away after a certain period of time, contact your doctor.

But immediate action requires the appearance of bloody discharge with nagging and spasmodic pain in the abdominal area. This is very dangerous, as it indicates an increasing risk of miscarriage. Therefore, if the above symptoms occur, call an ambulance immediately and, if necessary, go to the hospital.

Discharge

Above in this article we found out that bloody discharge is not a favorable symptom, especially if accompanied by abdominal pain. If you notice that the discharge has acquired a spotting brown, cream or pink tint, then you should immediately report these manifestations to your doctor. This discharge may become bleeding.

Another immediate consultation and in-depth analysis is required by the fact that the expectant mother has detected green discharge in herself, yellow, purulent, curd-like in nature, discharge with the presence of flakes and a bad odor. This indicates some disturbances in the pregnancy process along with the appearance of a genital tract infection. Basically, the infection is accompanied not only by a change in discharge, but also by the appearance of discomfort in the genital area in the form of itching, burning and swelling. After making a final diagnosis (the causes of such changes may be candidiasis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, vulvitis, etc.), the specialist has the opportunity to determine the most optimal treatment option. It is imperative to follow this treatment to avoid the possibility of infection of the fetus.

Normal discharge at this stage is of a moderate, homogeneous nature with a light or milky color and a subtle sour odor.

Ultrasound examination

Usually it is not diagnosed at the 17th week of pregnancy, but if necessary, your doctor may order an unscheduled ultrasound. Then you will have the opportunity to see with your own eyes how much your child has grown. You can also find out the gender of your unborn baby if he turns the right way.

At this time, the specialist will assess whether all processes are proceeding normally. Along with measuring the length of the fetus, the doctor will examine the heartbeat, motor activity, make sure there are no gross malformations and chromosomal abnormalities, and the general condition of the uterus, placenta and amniotic fluid.

How do you feel at 17 weeks of pregnancy? How are you feeling?

The beginning of the fifth month of pregnancy is a favorable period for a woman carrying a child, since at this time the dangers of the first trimester are already far behind her and the condition becomes more stable. During the normal course of pregnancy during this period, the woman does not experience any significant unpleasant sensations, except for the discomfort that can be caused by a noticeably enlarged uterus and an enlarged abdomen. Compliance with doctors' recommendations, correct and balanced diet, an active lifestyle - all this is the key to the health of the mother and unborn child.

Week 17 is the beginning of the fifth month of pregnancy. During this period, with a successful pregnancy, the woman does not experience any special problems, but a number of sensations and signs of changes in the body may appear. At this time, it is advisable to rest as much as possible, be less nervous, and follow the correct daily routine and diet.

From a medical point of view, the 17th week is considered the beginning of the fifth month of pregnancy, since there are 4 weeks in the obstetric month. At this time, the unborn child grows significantly and gains weight at a rapid pace. An increase in body weight is also observed in the expectant mother.

Feelings and signs

At 17 weeks of pregnancy, various unusual sensations and symptoms may appear. You should always be attentive to any changes and, at the slightest suspicion, consult your doctor.

During this period, the following sensations may appear:

1. Frequent urination. At this stage, the uterus reaches a significant size and compresses the bladder. This may lead to a frequent urge to urinate. Such a manifestation does not necessarily appear at this stage in all pregnant women.
2. Unusual vaginal discharge. If a pregnant woman has yellow or green discharge, mixed with flakes, or unpleasant smell, you should immediately consult a doctor. Such problems may be associated with the presence of an inflammatory process in the genital tract. When such complaints appear, the gynecologist takes a smear and determines the nature of the discharge. Standard, uniform, light-colored discharge with a slightly sour odor is normal.
3. Increased thrush. Thrush itself can be present in a woman in a chronic form throughout pregnancy, since the expectant mother’s immunity is significantly weakened during this period. In some women, thrush persists throughout life, periodically exacerbating and then subside again. If chronic thrush begins to manifest itself more actively and causes concern (heavy discharge, itching, etc.), you need to pay attention to this. In such a situation, treatment is required. One of the measures to combat the problem is to give up sweets, which provoke the progression of the disease. Also, it is necessary to observe hygiene standards and demand the same from your sexual partner.
4. Change appearance. The face of a pregnant woman at this stage may begin to look a little different - her lips will become larger, her nose will become slightly swollen, and a blush will appear on her cheeks. Such changes in appearance are typical and occur in many expectant mothers.
5. The baby's first movements. During this period, the child is already actively moving in the noticeably grown abdomen and may begin to feel these movements expectant mother. It is important not to worry if movements are not yet observed during this period. The first sensations may appear much later (at 18-22 weeks). Often, women who are not pregnant for the first time begin to feel movements earlier than first-time mothers.
6. An actively growing uterus and abdomen can cause unpleasant pulling sensations in the lower abdomen. These sensations are in many ways similar to those that appear during menstruation for many women. This problem is explained by the tension of the ligaments that hold the growing uterus. With a sudden movement, the nature of the pain can change from aching to shooting. If such unpleasant sensations appear, it is advisable to reduce activity, rest more and not make sudden movements.
7. The appearance of pain in the tailbone and lower back. These pains also occur due to a significant increase in the size and weight of the uterus. Increased stress on the back leads to similar sensations. It is important to choose a comfortable position for sitting and sleeping, try to alternate periods of rest and physical activity, and not lift heavy objects.
8. Bloating and heartburn. The rise of the uterus leads to the displacement of a number of internal organs. Compression of the intestines provokes heartburn and bloating. It is important to eat right and not eat too much food.
9. An enlarged belly can lead to sleep disturbances. It becomes difficult for a woman to find a comfortable position for her body. Typically, the most comfortable position is on your side, with a small pillow placed between your bent legs. It is not recommended to sleep on your stomach or back. When positioned on the stomach, you can put pressure on the child, and when positioned on the back, the uterus puts pressure on the inferior vena cava, thereby disrupting the blood flow in the pelvic organs (this has an unfavorable effect on the child’s condition).
10. Sweating, increased heart rate, weakness, cramps in the lower extremities. Such signs appear due to an enlargement of the thyroid gland, which begins to produce increased levels of hormones. You can avoid these phenomena by consuming enough calcium and other vitamins.
11. Bleeding gums. This problem may occur due to increased heart rate. You can solve this by rinsing your mouth with special solutions.

Fetal development at 17 weeks

At this time, the fetus is actively growing and developing.

Child development occurs in the following areas:

• Weight gain. At this stage, the baby weighs approximately 200 grams and reaches a length of 10-14 cm.
• Formation of the fetus's own immune system. The child’s body begins to produce its own interferon and immunoglobulin, which allows it to protect itself from infection that may appear in the body of a pregnant woman.
• The formation of a subcutaneous fat layer in a child, which helps regulate heat exchange processes in his body.
• A protective lubricant appears on the surface of the skin.
• The level of sensitivity in the child’s skin increases, especially in the area of ​​the buttocks and abdomen.
• The formation of the heart is almost complete.
• The adrenal glands produce hormones.
• In girls, the uterus is forming.
• The child begins to perceive sharp sounds, so it is advisable to avoid noisy gatherings and listening to music at high volumes.
• The baby perceives the emotional state of the mother, so it is important to try to experience exclusively positive emotions and protect yourself from any negativity.
• The formation of permanent teeth occurs.
• The formation of the placenta is completed. The placenta performs a protective function and ensures the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the child, removing waste products.

The presence of all of the above changes in the child’s body indicates proper development and compliance with the gestational age of 17 obstetric weeks.

If the mother has no complaints and medical indications, then at this stage of pregnancy there is no planned ultrasound.

Nutritional Features

The food a pregnant woman eats must be of high quality, fresh and balanced. During this period, a woman’s heart experiences increased stress due to the fact that it must ensure the vital functions of not only the mother, but also the child.

Therefore, the body must receive a sufficient amount of nutrients to allow it to function fully. It is advisable to eat small portions several times a day (the optimal number of meals per day is 5 times), try not to overeat. The food itself must be balanced and contain all the vitamins and microelements necessary for the development of the child and the health of the woman. During pregnancy, a woman’s physical activity often decreases and this immediately leads to disruptions in the functioning of the digestive system due to the occurrence of so-called “stagnation”. Therefore, after eating, it is recommended to take short walks in the fresh air, which will have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive system.

• Coffee, tea.
• Spicy.
• Fatty and fried.
• Salty.
• Smoked.
• Sour berries.

All of the above products lead to increased production of gastric juice, which negatively affects the well-being of the expectant mother.

Proper nutrition and avoiding overeating will help you avoid problems such as heartburn, bloating, increased gas formation and constipation. It is recommended to regularly consume cereals, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Also, nutritionists recommend including more soups and jelly in your diet. This food provides the formation of a lining inside the stomach, which prevents heartburn. It is important to eat enough foods that contain iron. Iron plays an important role in the formation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen into the blood. Equally important is sufficient vitamin D in food to reduce the risk of hypertension in a pregnant woman.