The beginning of the 17th week of pregnancy (or the fifth month) is a favorable period for a woman who is carrying a child, since many dangers lurking behind the pregnant woman in the first trimester are left behind. Many are interested in what happens during this period both with the fetus and with the woman, how the pregnancy proceeds, what tests should be prescribed and what changes in the body should be paid attention to.
Feelings in the 17th week of pregnancy
During this period, there may be quite unusual sensations. At the slightest suspicion and the appearance of strange symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor.
During this period, manifestations that are not characteristic of the normal state of a woman can be observed.
Frequent urination
On this period, the uterus grows in size, squeezing the bladder, which can cause a frequent desire to go to the toilet.
Strange selection
If at the 17th week of pregnancy there were strange green or yellowish discharges with an admixture of "flakes" that have an unpleasant odor, it is necessary to turn to the doctors. Such problems may indicate an inflammatory process.
It is for this reason that one cannot do without a doctor: he will take a smear and, based on the results obtained, will prescribe a treatment. But the selection of the usual light shade and with a slight sour smell are considered the norm.
Thrush
Thrush hurts many pregnant women, which is associated with a decrease in immunity during this period.
However, if serious complications, such as strange discharges, severe itching, appear because of thrush, you should go to the doctor, because only he can prescribe a safe and effective treatment.
As a preventive measure, it is worth refusing from products that can strengthen the thrush: sweet, spicy. Also a woman, like her partner, needs to remember about hygiene.
Change in appearance
In the fifth month of pregnancy, the woman’s appearance may change slightly: the lips are enlarged, the nose swells, a blush appears on the cheeks. Such changes should not be considered negative - they are faced by very many pregnant women.
The first stirring of the child
At this stage, the baby begins to move actively - the young mother feels these movements.
Pulling sensations in the abdomen
Due to the fact that the uterus is actively growing, it can cause unpleasant pulling pains in the lower abdomen, and with sudden movements the nature of the pain may change.
If there are unpleasant sensations, you need to reduce activity, do not make sudden movements, more rest.
Low back pain
Such pains can occur due to an increase in the uterus, weight, as a result of which the load on the back increases. During such periods it is important to choose a comfortable posture for sleep, try not to lift weights.
Heartburn and bloating
As a result of the growth of the uterus, there is a slight displacement of the internal organs, especially the intestines, which leads to bloating and heartburn. It is important during this period to eat right, not to burden the body with food.
Sleep disturbance
What is usually associated with an increase in the abdomen: in such a period it is difficult for a woman to find a comfortable position. It is best to lie on your side, putting a small pillow between your bent legs. Also, do not sleep on your stomach, it can adversely affect the condition of the child.
Sweating, weakness, cramps
Such signs usually appear as a result of an enlarged thyroid gland, which produces a large amount of hormones. To avoid these symptoms, you should eat vitamins and calcium.
How does the fetus develop?
On the obstetric 17th week of pregnancy, the fetus begins to actively develop in such areas as:
Weight gain. In the fifth month, the child weighs about 300 g, the body length is about 12 cm.- The immune system is formed: the body begins to produce immunoglobulin and interferon, so that it can independently fight against various kinds of infections.
- Formation of subcutaneous fat, which helps the fetus to independently regulate heat transfer processes.
- On the surface of the skin appears protective lubricant.
- Almost at the final stage is the formation of the heart.
- The adrenal glands begin to produce hormones.
- In girls, the uterus is formed.
- The fetus begins to perceive harsh sounds, because during this period it is better not to listen to music at high volume.
- There is a laying of teeth.
- The child begins to respond to the emotional state of the mother, because it is necessary to protect themselves from stress and nerves, negative.
- The formation of the placenta is at the final stage (the placenta is the protection of the fetus, it also delivers nutrients and removes processed products).
Weight gain. In the fifth month, the child weighs about 300 g, the body length is about 12 cm.Food during this period
Food during pregnancy should be fresh, high quality. Do not forget that the mother is experiencing serious workloads, since she needs to provide everyone not only with herself, but also with the child. Therefore, the body needs to be provided with all necessary micronutrients so that it can function properly. It is advisable to eat 5-6 times a day, but in small portions. The food itself must be balanced, useful.
It is worth remembering that during pregnancy, many women have decreased physical activity, as a result of which "stagnation" can occur.
Because many doctors recommend after each meal to make a short walk, which will positively affect the work of the digestive tract.
From the 17th week of pregnancy, doctors recommend to refuse such products as:
- Coffee and tea;
- spicy dishes;
- smoked meat;
- fried foods;
- sour berries and fruits.
And all because the products listed above lead to an increase in gastric juice, which can adversely affect the health of mother and fetus.
Such a diet will avoid constipation, problems with the work of the intestine and stomach. In the fifth month, it is desirable to eat more dairy products, vegetables, soups, various kissels, cereals. Due to such food inside the stomach, a shell is formed that will prevent the appearance of heartburn.
It is also important to consume foods with a high iron content, because thanks to this element, red blood cells that carry oxygen are formed.
Recommendations from doctors
At the 17th week of pregnancy, a woman strongly feels the changes occurring in the body. It is very important to follow all the recommendations of doctors that will not only have a positive effect on the development of the fetus, but will also become the key to preserving the life of the future mother.
The main recommendations include:
It is necessary to avoid any stressful situations, because it can negatively affect the child. It often happens that children born to a nervous mother are very nervous themselves, do not sleep well and behave restlessly.- It is important to pay attention to the condition of the blood vessels and the heart, because in the fifth month of pregnancy, women often have varicose veins, gums begin to bleed. This is due to the increased load on the cardiovascular system. As a preventive measure, women are not recommended to spend much time on their feet, they need to rest more, in the evenings you can do foot baths.
- It is necessary to exclude smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages - such habits can cause the occurrence of pathologies in children. In addition, it can cause early detachment of the placenta and, accordingly, premature birth.
- Medicines should be taken only after consulting a doctor, especially since many medicines are forbidden to be used during pregnancy.
It is necessary to avoid any stressful situations, because it can negatively affect the child. It often happens that children born to a nervous mother are very nervous themselves, do not sleep well and behave restlessly.In addition, you must carefully behave in public places. Pregnancy reduces concentration a little, as a result of which a woman will not be able to react so quickly to any dangerous situation.
And the most important advice - with the slightest complaints, you should immediately consult a doctor, because only a specialist can properly assess the patient's condition and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.
Surveys and analyzes
If the pregnancy is going on calmly, doctors will not prescribe additional clinical tests (they are usually performed when a woman suffers from pyelonephritis or anemia).
Also at this stage, ultrasound is rarely performed only if there are serious indications for this procedure. But when it is carried out, it is already possible to find out the sex of the child (although there may be mistakes), to see his body movements, facial expressions. It is especially important to consult a doctor in the presence of such signs as:
- nagging pains in the abdomen;
- the appearance of unusual discharge, especially bloody;
- temperature rise.
At the 17th week of pregnancy, genetic screening is needed to help evaluate chromosomal abnormalities, assess the health of a woman, which will allow making predictions about gestation.
Screening will also help to recognize the so-called missed abortion, which usually occurs when the mother has some infectious disease, because it is rather difficult to suspect the problem of the woman herself. Screening includes:
- blood chemistry;
- AFP analysis.
All indicators should be assessed comprehensively, because only in this case can any abnormalities be revealed in the fetus.
