Weekly Pregnancy Calendar: Week 17

on January 28, 2009 at 6:54 AM

Photo by bam61907

I'm following a first-time pregnant mom, 19-year-old bam61907, on her exciting journey from bump to baby. Check back every Wednesday for the latest developments!

Week 17

What's Happening with Mom: I've had lots of aches and pains this week. No more trips to the E.R., thank goodness, but I am still experiencing the cramping -- mild sometimes but then pretty uncomfortable other times. I guess it's more of the stretching out in my abdomen or the growth spurt the E.R. doctor mentioned. I've also had headaches from hell -- nothing seems to work.

Last night I had a dream we were at the ultrasound to find out the sex....

... and in the dream it was clear that we were having a little girl! We'll have to wait a couple more weeks to see if the dream comes true, unless my midwife does an ultrasound at my next prenatal appointment, which I'm just about to have. I'm so excited to find out the gender!

I'm pretty certain I've been feeling the baby move -- it's just sudden, light flutters. It feels really cool but also a little weird because they seem so random and light. I'm looking forward to the big movements and kicks!

I've been having trouble sleeping, primarily because of the headaches -- they literally wake me up in the middle of the night -- and because I have to pee like CRAZY!

I haven't really been eating all that much, but as for random cravings, orange soda has been sounding sooo good!

I'm finally starting to get a hard little baby bump, but not much of one -- I still haven't bought maternity clothes yet.

What's Happening with Baby: I'm about five inches long now, or about the size of two generous lemons sitting together side by side. The bones of my skeleton are becoming harder and I'm rounding out a bit with stores of body fat. I can hear loud noises and my movements are becoming stronger.

Question of the Week from Pregnancy:

I've had a horrible headache since yesterday. I couldn't even sleep because of it! Anyone have any ideas about what might help? -- priincessz

I've had one, too! Talk to your doctor, but all you can really do is take Tylenol. -- Beth8329

Heat at the base of my skull helps me -- hot water or a heating pad. -- ToshaE

Try a little caffeine. If that or some Tylenol doesn't help, call your doctor. I got terrible headaches in my second trimester and my doctor prescribed something and it worked WONDERS. -- SuperMommy0212

Are you in your second trimester? Is your experience similar to Brittany's? Share your thoughts and questions here.

Past weeks:

Week 16

Week 15

Weeks 13 & 14

Filed Under: 2nd trimester, bam61907, weekly pregnancy calendar

Comments (5)

LuckyClown

on Jan 29, 2009 at 10:51 AM

I am a few days shy of 17 weeks. My headaches have been debilitating and they keep me up. It did not help that last night the gutter was dripping on our window a/c unit. A steady chinese water torture drip-drip-drip... oooh shudder. Imagine my relief when today turned out to be another snow day - one more benefit to being a teacher.

I also have been getting extremely annoyed by loose clothes. I used to sleep in sweats and a t-shirt but lately I guess I have been tossing and turning so much that my clothes get all twisted around me. I even had to take off a necklace that my husband gave me- it has been around my neck for the better part of four years. So it's tight tanks and undies for me- and a sincere hope for the sake of the neighborhood that the house doesn't catch on fire.

On the size front- I am shocked that I am not huge yet, this is my third pregnancy and i assumed I'd be huge. Nope. no i am just big enough that my normal clothes hurt on my belly but not so big that I need maternity. I wear them anyway because they are comfy but I have to pull the pants back up every once in a while. I have been feeling the kicks- much like a little goldfish bouncing around in a bag of water, but i have to lie flat on my back right after eating in order to feel it. The little one is sooo active on ultrasounds and he loves to make the doc chase him around with the doppler but when I want to feel him/her I have to beg...sigh

Report this comment

bam61907

on Jan 29, 2009 at 12:09 PM

LuckyClown- I too am not big. This is only my first pregnancy, but I am 17 weeks and just starting to show. Everyone keeps telling me I am so small. I am getting sick of hearing it! But yes, my clothes, well my pants are starting to get a little tight on the waste, but it is mainly just my work/dress pants. Today I felt the baby do a big movement. Before this I was only feeling light flutters but today was a big movement but still no kicks for me unless I do not know what they are when it happens. I love listening to the heartbeat. I want a fetal doppler but we cannot afford to buy a fetal doppler especially with having to save to buy the baby necessities.

on Jan 29, 2009 at 2:06 PM

I have heard that unless you buy a really good quality doppler they can lead to more stress, it's hard to find the heartbeat sometimes and OMG if you can't find it then something HAS to be wrong...

It is cool that you are like a week ahead of me though. it has been four years since my last pregnancy so i have forgotten how it goes.

don't worry, you'll balloon out soon enough- then you can get sick of people telling you how you either a.) look like you swallowed a beach ball or b.) look like you are ready to pop at any minute,,, growl

Bellameg05

on Jun 3, 2009 at 11:13 PM

this is my first time having a baby also.. and I'm 17 weeks.. and it seems as though it takes forever for me to go to sleep and my head is just pounding all day long it really sucks.. I'll be glad when this part is over hehe..

nicolelb0906

on Mar 28, 2010 at 7:17 AM

I'm 17 weeks also. . and I'm having a girl. . I'm so excited. I can feel her move suddenly already and kick a little but not so much feel her actually kick. It's an amazing feeling. I still get sick sometimes but it doesn't last that long, and its not in the mornings its mostly at night or afternoons. . it sucks. that's one thing I hate is the sickness.