Pregnancy Week 17

Week 17.

Month five, your baby is about 5 inches in length now and weighs around 5 ounces. The skeleton, which mostly contained soft cartilage up till now, is starting to form solid bones. The umbilical cord connecting the baby to the mother is also becoming thicker and much more powerful for the increased energy demand for development needs to be met properly. Sweat glands are being developed on its body by now and fat under the skin. The heartbeat is almost twice the rate of yours and is incredible to listen too.

Mom, your body is starting to release more fluids like sweat, vaginal discharge, and mucus. Your chest and belly may be itchy as it stretches, and the weight gain will increase. Stretch marks on your skin may be visible at this point. You may also begin noticing the line on your stomach darkening.

You may also be looking for new clothes, but don’t buy too much, as the growing really happens in the last trimester.