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Pregnancy week 17

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

Halfway between your navel and pubic bone, your uterus is rising up to greet the world. Increased secretions - from nasal to vaginal - are common as your blood volume increases.

White women may notice dark spots on their face. This is chloasma or the ‘mask of pregnancy’. It occurs on the forehead, nose and cheeks. They will go within three months of delivery. Black women may develop patches of white skin on their face and neck - these too will go after delivery.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

At 12cm crown to rump, or a total length of about 6 1/2 inches, your baby is large enough to give you a good swift kick in the tummy. Within the next month, you should be able to feel this five-ounce wonder throwing his or her weight around.

At this time, fat deposits will appear under the baby's skin. This fat will help your baby to regulate his or her temperature after birth.

HEALTHY EATING

Can't sleep? Here are some ideas that may help:

• Increase your intake of vitamin B foods.
• Try herb teas such as chamomile, marjoram or lemon.
• Get some daily exercise, but avoid exercising close to bedtime.
• Have a pre-bedtime snack to keep blood-sugar levels up while you sleep.
• To avoid nightly visits to the bathroom, limit fluids after dinner.
• Restrict your intake of caffeinated products such as coffee, tea, colas or chocolate.

Ninety per cent of all pregnant women will get stretch marks. The good news is that for most women they'll fade to silvery-white after pregnancy. While a propensity for developing stretch marks is inherited, here are some ideas that can't hurt:

• Eating well and exercising prior to and during pregnancy can help you maintain elastic skin tone, preventing stretch marks.
• Don't gain excessive weight - and keep the gain steady to avoid over-stretching of your skin.
• Try body lotion and massage. At the very least, it will reduce dry skin.

In a blender, combine: 1/2 cup virgin olive oil, 1/2 cup aloe vera gel, six capsules vitamin E oil (opened) and four capsules vitamin A oil (opened). Keep it refrigerated and apply once daily (you may want to warm it before applying).

Find out what to expect in week 18 of your pregnancy.

For a list of all the pregnancy week by week articles click here

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