Week 17 of pregnancy: Fat Begins to Form

This week your baby starts to make vernix, the pale, waxy coat that will protect their skin in the fluid around them, and the first small fat stores begin. For you, the growing uterus and pregnancy hormones make this a common time for heartburn to start, and your changing posture can bring a nagging lower back ache. Both usually respond well to small everyday changes. It is also worth checking that your mid-pregnancy anomaly scan is booked, because the best window for it opens next week.

Around now your baby measures roughly 12–13 cm from the top of the head to the bottom, the crown–rump length used until about 20 weeks. The 140 g figure is an average estimate; healthy babies can weigh noticeably more or less. A sweet potato is only a rough picture of the size.

Every pregnancy is different - you may have some, all or none of these.

Heartburn and acidity

Hormones relax the stomach valve and the uterus presses upwards. Smaller meals, staying upright after eating and raising the head end of the bed usually help. Ask your doctor before taking any antacid.

Lower back ache

Softer ligaments and a forward-shifting bump strain the back. Stand tall, sit with your back supported and avoid lifting heavy things. Back pain with fever, bleeding or burning urine needs a same-day check.

Round ligament twinges

Brief pulling pain in the groin on standing or turning is common now. Move a little more slowly. Constant or severe pain, or pain with bleeding or fever, is not this and should be checked.

Blocked nose

Pregnancy hormones and extra blood flow can swell the lining of the nose, and nosebleeds can happen. Check with a pharmacist before using any decongestant spray or tablet.

Constipation

Slower gut movement and iron tablets can both play a part. More fibre, plenty of water and daily walking help; isabgol is a safe option to discuss with your doctor.

• Second antenatal visit

  Routine

  14 to 26 weeks

  In India the national schedule includes a visit between 14 and 26 weeks, with your blood pressure, weight, haemoglobin and urine checked. Government facilities also offer free check-ups on the 9th of every month for women in the second and third trimesters. Your doctor may use this visit to plan the anomaly scan.

• Iron-folic acid and calcium tablets

  Routine

  From the second trimester, daily

  India's programme gives one iron-folic acid tablet a day and calcium tablets twice a day. Take calcium with meals but not at the same time as the iron tablet, and keep tea, coffee and milk away from the iron tablet. Tell your doctor or ANM if the tablets upset your stomach or worsen heartburn.

• Booking the anomaly scan

  Commonly offered

  Scan usually 18 to 22 weeks in India

  If your doctor has not already arranged it, ask now when your detailed mid-pregnancy scan should be done, so you have a slot in the right window rather than rushing later.

Schedules differ between government and private care and between doctors. If you are unsure which tests are due, ask at your next visit or at your nearest health centre.

• 🌿Heartburn-friendly eating matters most this week. Have smaller portions more often, for example idli with sambar, vegetable poha, dalia or a roti with dal, instead of one large, late dinner.
• 🌿Keep a note of what triggers your acidity. Deep-fried snacks, rich gravies, very spicy food, pickles and strong tea or coffee are common culprits, but triggers differ from person to person.
• 🌿Sit upright while eating and for a while after, and try not to go to sleep immediately after a meal, as ICMR-NIN also advises.
• 🌿Keep calcium foods in your day, such as dahi, milk, paneer, ragi and til, but have milk at a different time from your iron tablet.

• •Aim for regular moderate activity such as brisk walking most days, building towards about 150 minutes a week if your doctor is happy. You should be able to talk while you move.
• •Pelvic tilts, cat–cow on hands and knees and gentle side stretches can ease back stiffness. Avoid lying flat on your back for long periods now; do floor moves side-lying or on all fours instead.
• •Wait an hour or two after a meal before exercising if heartburn is a problem, and stop if you feel dizzy, breathless or have any pain or bleeding.

• •Protect your back at home and work: carry shopping in two lighter bags, ask for help with heavy buckets or gas cylinders, and bend your knees rather than your waist.
• •If you sit for long hours, use a small cushion behind your lower back and get up to walk for a few minutes every hour.
• •Do not take over-the-counter painkillers or acidity remedies without checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Paracetamol is usually the first choice for pain if needed; avoid ibuprofen and similar medicines unless your doctor advises them.
• •Low, supportive footwear is kinder to your back than heels as the bump grows.

• ?Which antacid, if any, is safe for me to take for heartburn?
• ?When exactly should my anomaly scan be done, and where?
• ?Could my iron or calcium tablets be making my acidity or constipation worse?
• ?What exercises are safe for my back pain at this stage?

• Anomaly scan date booked or discussed
• Dinner moved at least two hours before bed
• Iron and calcium tablets taken at separate times
• Head end of the bed raised with pillows or blocks
• Comfortable low-heeled shoes ready for daily walks