17-Weeks-Pregnant

At 17 weeks pregnant your centre of gravity is changing. Trying to maintain a good posture will help you avoid backache and unnecessary muscular strain. If you have to lift heavy objects, remember to bend at the knees and use those large, powerful Quadriceps in your thighs to help.

For some women, sciatic nerve pain is extremely troubling. This nerve runs from your spine, down your buttocks and the entire length of each leg. When the weight of the uterus and the baby are compressing on this nerve, it can feel like pins and needles or a sharp pain down in your bottom or legs. Try to shift your weight if this is happening and sleep with as many pillows as you find comfortable. By lying on your side, with your upper leg bent at the knee and supported by a pillow, the pressure on the sciatic nerve can be relieved. Avoid putting pillows behind your knees or lying in the same position for long periods of time. This can lead to a pooling of blood and increase the risk of blood clots. Another useful tip can be when you are sitting, try to elevate your legs and rest them on a foot stool.

From around the time they are 17 weeks pregnant, some women find they need to wear a pregnancy girdle to support the weight of their abdomen. Don t laugh! There's a lot of comfort to be found in supportive undergarments. No one but you, and perhaps your partner, needs to know.

Mummy-pick me up!

If you have a toddler who demands to be picked up all the time, encourage them to climb onto your lap when you're sitting down and then have a cuddle. Take their stroller when you go out, use a shopping trolley to contain them, or time your outings for when your partner is available. Pilates, yoga, water aerobics and physiotherapy can all help to strengthen the muscles which maintain the spine in its correct alignment.

Your physical changes this week

• Lots of extra blood supply to your own body could be making you feel hot and flushed, even if it is the middle of winter. You really aren t the best person in the room to be gauging the temperature at the moment. Look at the palms of your hands and see how close to the surface of your skin your blood is. Don t be alarmed if you get your palms read and you are told you are pregnant. Even if you aren t showing yet, red palmar lines are one of the signs of pregnancy, not a reflection of the palm reader's skills.
• You could be noticing the veins in your legs are more visible and your legs are aching if you're standing a lot. If you've had a baby previously, are overweight or have a family history, you could be more prone to varicose veins. Some women need to wear support hose to assist gravity in returning blood back up their legs. Try to lie with your legs elevated and sit when you can.
• You may have a head of hair which could be used to advertise shampoo. Usually hair goes through growing and shedding phases, but during pregnancy not much shedding occurs. Hence the lustrous locks.
• At 17 weeks pregnant, your nails may be looking a little strange. Many women find their nails become brittle, weak and flaky when they are pregnant. Paint on nail hardeners won t do you or the baby any harm, just use them in a well ventilated space so you're not breathing in the fumes.