Pregnancy, Whats Happening in Week Seventeen?
During week seventeen of pregnancy, the baby continues to grow as the mother becomes more comfortable in her new skin. Week seventeen of pregnancy is marked by the transformation of the baby’s soft cartilage into hard bone. The baby now measures five inches from crown to rump and weighs in at about five ounces. Sweat glands also begin to develop at this point. The umbilical cord becomes thicker and stronger as its job becomes even more important. The baby can also move his or her joints, although it may still be difficult for first-time moms to detect fetal movement. For the mother, a growing baby bump can signal a new challenge: loss of balance. A woman’s center of gravity changes as her belly protrudes, which can lead to unsteadiness. As a result, pregnant women should wear flat shoes and always hold onto stair railings to avoid falls. It is also important to adjust seat belts in the car so that they fit properly. The lap belt should rest securely under the stomach, while the shoulde
