17th week
LET'S GET MEASURED!
Size of baby: 11 - 12 cm
Baby's weight: 100 grams
We have happily reached 100 grams! Yes, it's your baby we 're talking about, which is constantly growing! The baby's skeleton is changing and the soft cartilage gradually converts to bone, while the umbilical cord is getting stronger. It may move its joints now, but the sweat glands begin to grow too. A layer of fat is formed on the surface of the embryo. This helps it to regulate its temperature. You start to feel that you no longer have good balance? As your belly grows, your centre of gravity is changing and so you may reasonably feel a certain instability. Try to avoid dangerous situations and high heels, to avoid falling! Hitting your belly can be highly dangerous for you and especially for your baby.
DID YOU KNOW THAT?
...During the second trimester, according to statistics pregnant women have more intense and many more dreams in relation to the remaining period of pregnancy? Many women report that they dream of taking care of small animal. This may derive from the maternal instinct of protecting the baby, which, since you have not seen yet, you personify through cute little animals. In other cases, they may dream of bigger and threatening animals, something that experts interpret as concern and anxiety about the unknown. Nothing to worry about that is...
In your dreams you may express your increased libido; nothing to be ashamed of, it happens to the majority of pregnant women. Usually, your concern about how your body changes and how it looks or even your need to be desirable from your partner can take shape in one (or more) dreams! Remember that during pregnancy women are more feminine than ever... So, cheer up and keep going with confidence!
Now, why all this is happening more in the second trimester? This may be due to the fact that in the first trimester frequent urination is more intense, just like cramps and heartburn or even pain in the back, so they wake up more often during the night, while in the second trimester these occurrences have fairly abated. Of course, there is the possibility to "think" that dreams are stronger than before, due to their increased emotional charge. And finally, since you cannot avoid them, at least enjoy them! Either way, we'll wish you... sweet dreams!
Do you feel your eyes more dry? Do not worry, it is common. Use a few drops of eye drops and you will feel better. If you use contact lenses, try not to wear them for long periods. And if dryness persists, consider returning to the solution of glasses until you give birth...
Some pregnant women also exhibit symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome for the first time, a condition characterised by swelling, inflammation, pain and numbness in the fingers or wrist. This is partly due to swelling from fluid retention during pregnancy. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually disappear a few weeks after birth.
Advice
Love is here and it is for two (for now!). Spend time with your partner this week. Surprise him, write him a romantic letter with everything you love in him and how you see him as a partner and future father, make him an abundant breakfast, take a walk with him along the sea shore, even a relaxing bath with scented candles. Find the time to bond as a couple physically and emotionally and leave the dull reality of everyday life behind you!
Have a pleasant week... and enjoy reuniting!
Source
http://www.paidorama.com
