WEEK 17 DEVELOPMENT
Grit your teeth: many older women still tell pregnant women stories about teeth falling out during pregnancy. Good news: That is outdated nonsense! For some women, the bump is now showing. If you are very slim, or have had given birth before, it is more likely that there is something to see. In other words, no one can tell by looking. But this is the time when trousers or skirts get hard to fasten and waistlines are harder to discern.
As always, lots going on this week. Your child's skin is still very thin and quite transparent, with small blood vessels visible through it. Your child’s intestine continues to develop and is now in its permanent place in the abdomen. All is as it should be.
NUTRITION
Satisfying sugar cravings during pregnancy requires a little more creativity than it normally would, especially if yours seem stronger than usual. There is no harm in eating desserts, if you don’t overdo it. To satisfy your sweet tooth while meeting your nutritional needs, choose fresh fruits, desserts made with milk, plain yoghurt, and dried fruits. Moderation is key. Instead of ice cream, indulge in sorbets or frozen yoghurt with lower sugar content.
TIPS
Artificial sweeteners also known as ‘non-nutritive sweeteners’, ‘sugar replacements’, or ‘zero-calorie sweeteners’, commonly include aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame K, saccharin, and sugar alcohols (e.g. xylitol), as well as plant-derived compounds (e.g. steviol glycosides). Although they are increasingly consumed by pregnant women around the world, their long-term health impact has been questioned. Some nutrition authorities indicated that within acceptable intake limits, these types of sweeteners are safe for women, and their unborn child during pregnancy. Other evidence suggests that early-life exposure to artificial sweeteners may adversely affect body composition and cardio-metabolic health. As such, for the latest recommendations, check with your healthcare provider if you want to include these products in your diet.
Related articles
Questions to ask at your first prenatal appointment
Your very first prenatal appointment is here — you must be excited! With so much going on, it helps to have a list of pregnancy questions on hand to ask your healthcare provider.
2 mins to read
Pregnancy Symptoms Week By Week: Week 1 – 12
Pregnancy is a joyous (sometimes tiring) journey of your body’s development for your newborn to enter the world. At times you’ll be excited, at other times you’ll be tired.
3 mins to read
Pregnancy: The Start of Loving and Protecting
The moment you know another being is growing inside your body, your maternal instincts are awakened.
4 mins to read
How to cope with pregnancy pains and discomfort
As your body changes, pregnancy pains and discomfort can occur, especially in your back, legs and feet. The good news is, there are ways to ease your pregnancy aches and pains.
2 mins to read
Pregnancy Exercises to Help You Keep Fit
Pregnancy doesn’t mean you have to be stuck to the bed or the couch.
3 mins to read
Signs of Baby blues vs postpartum depression
Wondering how to know if I have postnatal depression? You’ve just birthed a human, your whole has been turned upside down, and you haven’t slept for what feels like an age.
5 mins to read
3 Tips to Overcome Fatigue during Pregnancy
Much like the wind changes direction, the journey of motherhood is filled with ups and downs.
4 mins to read
How to deal with morning sickness at the start of pregnancy
Morning sickness can strike at any time of day or night. Especially at the start of pregnancy. Here’s a few things that could help make the first, delicate trimester a little easier to stomach.
2 mins to read
10 Early Signs of Pregnancy
For the young families who are planning for pregnancy, it can be an exciting challenge and experience to look forward to.
4 mins to read
C-sections: What you need to consider
How you bring your junior into the world is a very personal decision, with different factors at play. Here are a few things to consider about an elective caesarean, also known as a C-section.
2 mins to read
C-section recovery: Things to think about
As with any surgery, C-section recovery takes time and self-care. Here are some things to have in mind to help you heal, from C-section recovery time to cleaning C-section incisions.
2 mins to read
7-Week pregnant: Development and diet
Your unborn child is already a pretty impressive 18 mm long. Though you won’t feel it yet, she’s on the move. Read more about this week.
2 mins to read
6-Week pregnant: Development and diet
Your child’s growth is in overdrive right about now. So many exciting developments on such a tiny little being! Read more about this week.
2 mins to read
3-Week pregnant: Development and diet
You’re at the very beginning of the journey. You can’t see anything yet, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a whole lot going on.
3 mins to read
39-Week pregnant: Development and diet
You might have felt a few contractions already and were wondering if that was “it”. Don’t worry, you won’t miss the start of labour! Read more about this next to last week.
3 mins to read
38-Week pregnant: Development and diet
Two more weeks! Yes, it’s true, you and your little one will soon be making each other’s acquaintance. Everything is pretty much in place. Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
37-Week pregnant: Development and diet
Your little one tends to keep his head down, arms crossed, and legs folded up on his chest as there’s not much room to move around. He’ll be very glad to get out and stretch!
3 mins to read
36-Week pregnant: Development and diet
From now until she makes her grand entrance, your little one will continue to grow. She is already 45 cm long and weighs about 2.9 kg! Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
35-Week pregnant: Development and diet
In about a month, you’ll be holding that little bundle of joy in your arms. Until then, there’s still lots of polishing and refinement going on inside you. Read more about this week.
3 mins to read
Related tools
Ovulation calendar
Determine when you are likely to ovulate can improve your chances of conceiving.
Naming Your Little One
Search the perfect name for your child
Pregnancy week
Find out what changes you can expect in your body, your emotions, your life and your little one.
