Pregnancy Week By Week (Week 17)

Pregnancy week by week - Week 17,

Week 17 Fetus

Must-ask Questions this Week (Week 17)

I am barely into my second trimester and am already experiencing back aches. What is going on?




My hips are so sore that I am not able to sleep well at nights. How do I deal with this problem?

Hip pain and stiffness are common complaints. Unfortunately it is hard to avoid when your growing belly limits you to sleeping on one side or the other some find that putting a pillow between their knees and tucking a pillow under their abdomen provides some relief. Fortunately this is a temporary discomfort which disappears once the baby appears!


Sometimes when I roll over I feel this ripping sensation in my abdomen. Is this normal?

This sounds like round ligament pain - the shooting pain in the lower abdomen that many women experience when they change position suddenly. It is caused by the sudden stretching of the ligaments and muscles that support the expanding uterus. It tends to be worse between weeks 14 and 20 when the uterus is big enough to exert its pressure on the ligaments yet not big enough to rest some of its weight on the pelvic bones. You can manage the pain by moving slowly and supporting your belly when you are changing positions. If you experience tenderness after moving too quickly one day, warm baths can also help to ease some of the discomfort. Round ligament pain can be very painful but this too is temporary.


What causes painful leg cramps and what can I do to avoid it?

Painful leg cramps during the second and third trimester are common. These cramps which occur mostly while you are sleeping are believed to be caused by the pressure of the uterus on the nerves in the legs or by a calcium deficiency. Some tips to on preventing and managing cramps in your calf muscles:

• Stretch your calf muscles before you hit the sack. Point your toes up toward your knees while pushing your heel away from you. You should repeat this exercise at least 10 times for each leg in order to really stretch the muscles out

• Ask your partner to massage your calf muscles

• As your cramp starts, aim your toes upward toward your knees. Whatever you do don't point your toes as this will intensify the pain

• Ask your caregiver to recommend calcium supplement. Getting adequate amounts of calcium in your diet can help prevent leg cramps

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Heartburn is causing me lots of problems. What can I do to prevent it?





Too much of dizziness of late - is this a normal part of pregnancy?