Canada's Largest & Oldest Cord Blood Bank
Will you find out your baby’s gender or will it be a surprise? With your anatomy scan coming up in a few weeks, this is something you and your partner needs decide upon.
This Week’s Highlights
Your baby is growing fingernails
Your baby starts putting on a layer of fat under the skin
You may feel your baby move
Your Baby at 17 Weeks
Your baby is the size of an onion, measuring about 5.1 inches (13 centimeters) from head to rump and weighing in at about 4.9 ounces (140 grams). Your baby’s head and the body are now more in proportion to each other.
Baby Development at Week 17
This week, the fingerprints and toe prints continue to establish their unique swirls and your baby’s nails will start to grow. As the baby grows in size his or her umbilical cord will also continue to grow, to match the supply and demand. Did you know the umbilical cord and the blood left over are usually discarded as medical waste? Did you also know that these tissues are a source of valuable stem cells? Find out more about newborn stem cells and stem cell banking here.
Your baby is finally starting to put on a little fat. This layer of brown fat will keep your little one warm after birth, and act as an energy source when needed.
The heart is now beating at a regular pattern and your baby is sharpening his or her sucking and swallowing skills in preparation for the breast or the bottle. Every single reflex your baby will need to survive in the outside world is being perfected in utero right now.
Pregancy Tip
Are you experiencing round ligament pain and back pain? You may want to think about investing in a belly band, since a little extra support can go a long way.
Your Bump at 17 Weeks
Is your bump starting to become more and more obvious? Remember your bump is unique to you; so don’t compare it to any other bumps.
This is a great time to start taking weekly photos of your bump. It will be an amazing memory you can share with the baby in years to come.
Cord Blood Banking is Easier than You Think
How Your Body is Changing
Your little one is quite active now and if you haven’t felt your baby move yet, this may be your lucky week.
Quickening (feeling your baby move) can happen anywhere between 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. These first sensations will feel fluttery and can only be felt by the mom-to-be. Real kicking, that can be felt by your partner, won’t start for another month or so.
As your skin stretches and thins out to accommodate growth, you may notice that the skin on your breasts and belly are getting dry and itchy. Some women also start noticing stretch marks around this time of pregnancy. Plenty of hydration and a good moisturizer can help with both dry skin and stretch marks.
You may also notice the skin around your nipples (areola) are getting darker and larger. This is another side effect of pregnancy and may last longer after pregnancy. If you have developed a linea nigra (a dark line that extends over your belly) and the mask of pregnancy (dark pigmentation on your face) these will fade after the baby is born.
How Far Along are You?
17 weeks in, 23 weeks to go! You are in the 2nd trimester of your pregnancy. Even though pregnancy is measured in weeks not months this means you going into the 5th month of pregnancy.
Diet and Exercise at Week 17
Are you always hungry? You should be taking cues from your constantly growing baby, and eat to keep up with the increasing demand.
But, if you are worried about gaining too much weight, talk to your healthcare provider about how to maintain a healthy pregnancy weight. It is normal to gain about 1 to 2 pounds (0.4 to 0.9 kilograms) per week in your second trimester. Making sure you are eating healthy, nutritious food (as opposed to chips and cookies) is a good way to keep your weight in check.
What is Cord Blood & Why is it Valuable?
Cord blood is the blood remaining in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. It contains rare stem cells that have many potential medical applications.
We have put together a fantastic webinar that will introduce you to cord blood and everything you need to know about it:
Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 17
Heartburn and indigestion– Your digestive system behaves differently during pregnancy owning to pregnancy hormones. The same hormones that relax your muscles and joints, also relax muscles in your digestive tract. This means food is passed along at a slower rate through your system causing bloating, gas and heartburn. The slow down is actually beneficial to the baby, since it gives your body time to better absorb nutrients from food, which can then be passed on to the baby through the placenta. Try keeping a food diary and taking note of the food that lead to indigestion and heart burn so you can avoid them.
Back pain – If your back is starting to hurt at this early stage of pregnancy there are a few things you can do to ease the pain. Stretching, low-heeled (not completely flat) shoes, exercises that strengthen your back and wearing a bellyband can help.
Stretch marks – Stretch marks (striae distensae) are tears that occur in the dermis, the inner layer of your skin. Some moms are proud of them, others do not want to even talk about them. Rapid weight gain is one of the top culprits behind stretch marks. So, watching your weight gain and making sure your skin remains hydrated can help with stretch marks.
Vivid dreams – Strange dreams are a normal part of pregnancy. They may be due to hormones or your fears and anxieties about the upcoming big change.
Hemorrhoids – Did you know that the increase in your blood volume is also behind your haemorrhoids? They are caused by dilated blood vessels in your rectal area, as the blood volume and flow is increased. You can adopt preventative strategies such as including more fibre in your diet and drinking more water to avoid haemorrhoids. Warm baths can help sooth existing haemorrhoids.
Crash course: Cord blood banking in 11 minutes.
