At 17 weeks pregnant, your baby's heart is beating at 140–150 beats per minute, her brain is beginning to control that heartbeat, and her sweat glands, joints, and senses of touch, smell, taste, and sight are all actively developing. The baby is now roughly the size of a pear, with fat tissue forming to regulate metabolism and body temperature, and — if you're expecting a girl — her ovaries are already producing primordial egg cells. Common maternal symptoms this week include leucorrhoea, increased appetite, snoring driven by pregnancy hormones, heartburn, flatulence, backaches, and the first appearance of stretch marks as the uterus expands and begins pushing the intestines upward. Adding mangosteen to your diet at this stage is worth considering, as the tropical fruit is a natural source of folate, manganese, and Vitamin C — nutrients linked to reduced risk of neural tube defects and healthy skeletal development in the baby.
- At week 17, the fetal heart beats at a rate of 140–150 beats per minute, which can be approximately twice the rate of the mother's heart.
- By week 17, a baby girl's ovaries are already producing millions of primordial egg cells that can later develop into actual eggs.
- At 17 weeks, the fetus is approximately the size of a pear, with fat (adipose) tissues beginning to form to help regulate metabolism and body temperature.
- Mangosteen is a tropical fruit rich in folate, manganese, and Vitamin C, all of which provide documented benefits during pregnancy.
- According to studies cited in the article, folate can help reduce a baby's risk for brain and spinal birth defects, as well as heart defects and cleft palate and lip.
- At week 17, the uterus begins pushing the intestines upward and toward the sides of the abdomen, and by the end of pregnancy the upper portion of the uterus can reach the liver.
Pregnancy Diary Week 17
Discover your pregnancy journey
Pregnancy Diary Week 17
You don’t need to read this website or any other information to know that so much has already changed from the time your baby was conceived …as you’ve been experiencing so many changes yourself. This week find out what you should expect, and also check out why the tropical fruit mangosteen is good for you and your baby.
Discover
How your baby is growing
What you can expect at this time
A beneficial food for your pregnancy nutrition
Pregnancy Diary Week 17: How Is Your Baby Growing?
By this time, your baby starts swallowing and sucking. Her brain begins to control her heart which is now beating at a rate of 140-150 beats per minute. This could be twice as your heart rate! Also, the baby can now move her joints and her sweat glands are now getting functional. She is about the size of a pear.
Fat tissues or adipose are now forming in the baby’s body. These tissues are beneficial in regulating the metabolism and temperature of the body. Even the baby’s umbilical cord is lengthening and getting thicker. The brain is also developing the baby’s sense of touch, smell, taste and sight. If you are having a baby girl, please be informed that her ovaries are now producing millions of egg cells (primordial) which can develop into actual eggs later on!
What you can expect
Lots of changes are also taking place inside your body. You are having a slight vaginal discharge known as leucorrhoea. Also, you have developed a slight sensitivity to a number of allergens. These changes are pretty normal during this stage.
Your partner might have noticed your unusual snoring habit these days. Snoring is normally caused by the surge of pregnancy hormones in your body. On the other hand, your appetite is getting more overwhelming these days. This is also normal since your baby is requiring more nutrients so you need to meet these growing demands.
Flatulence, heartburn and indigestion should also be expected this week. Though these symptoms have become common since you learned about your pregnancy, there are times where it can really be a huge discomfort. Some pregnant women have also reported symptoms such as occasional headaches, tensions and fatigue during this time.
Since your baby is getting bigger, you are now becoming more susceptible to backaches, and of course, stretch marks. Stretch marks are often necessary but they may also appear due to the abrupt significant change in body size.
Inside the body, your uterus begins to push your intestines upward and towards the side of your abdomen. By the end of your pregnancy, the upper portion of your uterus could reach your liver.
Mangosteen For Pregnancy Nutrition
Mums only want the best for their babies. From the time of conception until delivery, pregnant women play a vital role in enhancing their baby’s health. Their lifestyle is a major factor that can determine their baby’s health. What the mother takes in is what the baby obtains. Therefore, mothers should observe a healthy and fitter lifestyle during pregnancy. Intake of healthy and nutritious fruits and vegetables are deemed to be very important and beneficial.
Mangosteen is a tropical fruit which normally comes in purple skin with juicy flesh inside. It is considered as one of the healthiest fruits today. According to research, this super fruit is fortified with lots of essential nutrients that are beneficial not just to the pregnant women, but to their babies as well.
Mangosteen is actually rich in folate, manganese and Vitamin C which are known for their massive benefits to the human body. Folate is considered to be one of the most important nutrients during pregnancy. According to studies, folate can help in reducing the baby’s risks for brain and spinal birth defects. In fact, lack of folate is associated with heart defects as well as cleft palate and lip.
On the other hand, its manganese content is useful in the formation of the cartilage and skeletal system. Manganese contains antioxidant properties which help in protecting the mother and the baby against cellular damage.
Mangosteen is also an excellent source of Vitamin C which is beneficial in keeping the immune system healthy. Also, it lowers one’s risk for contracting infections which may substantial damage to the foetus. Furthermore, Vitamin C plays a vital role in enhancing the production of collagen which is important in increasing the skin’s elasticity. Improved skin elasticity is beneficial in accommodating a growing baby.
Meanwhile, mangosteen’s fibre content helps in preventing constipation which is a common complaint during pregnancy. Aside from its ability to prevent constipation, fibre is also important in reducing one’s risk for pre-eclampsia which is normally triggered by high levels of blood pressure.
The fruit is also packed with xanthones which are scientifically proven to be effective at treating tuberculosis, urinary tract infections and menstrual problems. The fruit is also used to treat eczema, thrush, gonorrhoea, fever, pain and dysentery.
Aside from its antibiotic properties, mangosteen is also deemed to be effective at regulating the level of cholesterol thereby lowering one’s risk for atherosclerosis. It can also help in fighting off common gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcer, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhoea and gastritis.
Pregnancy Diary Week 17
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DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.
How big is a baby at 17 weeks pregnant?
At 17 weeks, the baby is approximately the size of a pear. Fat tissues, known as adipose tissue, are beginning to form in the baby's body to help regulate metabolism and temperature.
What is a baby's heart rate at 17 weeks pregnant?
At 17 weeks, a baby's heart beats at a rate of 140–150 beats per minute, which can be roughly twice the heart rate of the mother.
What physical symptoms should you expect at 17 weeks pregnant?
At 17 weeks, common symptoms include vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea), snoring caused by pregnancy hormones, increased appetite, flatulence, heartburn, indigestion, occasional headaches, fatigue, backaches, and stretch marks. The uterus also begins pushing the intestines upward and toward the sides of the abdomen.
What causes snoring during pregnancy?
Snoring during pregnancy is commonly caused by the surge of pregnancy hormones in the body and is considered a normal symptom at this stage.
What is leucorrhoea in pregnancy?
Leucorrhoea is a slight vaginal discharge that occurs during pregnancy and is considered a normal change at this stage of development.
What are the benefits of mangosteen during pregnancy?
Mangosteen is a tropical fruit rich in folate, manganese, and Vitamin C, all of which offer benefits during pregnancy. Folate in particular helps reduce the baby's risk of brain and spinal birth defects, and a lack of folate is also associated with heart defects and cleft palate and lip.
What senses is a baby developing at 17 weeks?
At 17 weeks, the brain is actively developing the baby's senses of touch, smell, taste, and sight.
What happens to a baby girl's reproductive development at 17 weeks?
At 17 weeks, a baby girl's ovaries begin producing millions of primordial egg cells, which can develop into actual eggs later in life.