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Pregnancy

      Pregnancy calendar - Week 17

      Pregnancy yoga

      Your baby is the size of an Onion

      At 17 weeks pregnant your baby is now about 17cm long. Their kidneys are now working well so, like you, they’re weeing several times per day. Their urine is filtered back to you through the placenta and is managed by your body. Your baby’s hearing is also getting much better, so you may notice that they respond to sudden loud noises from the outside world.

      Fetus week 17

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      Baby size onion

      You & your body

      Constipation in pregnancy is a common problem and may be more troublesome from now on as your baby gets bigger. A diet rich in fibre can help, so include high-fibre food at every meal and try to snack on fruit and veg between meals.

      Bran or oat cereal makes a good fibre-packed breakfast and during the rest of the day, you can top it up with wholegrain bread, wholemeal pasta, pulses, or perhaps a jacket potato. Remember that plenty of fluids are vital to ensure that you avoid constipation, so have about eight glasses of water, fruit juices or smoothies throughout the day.

      Did you know?

      As well as affecting your mood, pregnancy hormones make all the soft tissues in your body even softer, including your gums. Be a bit gentler with them than usual, maybe choosing a softer toothbrush and remembering to floss. If you do get sore or bleeding gums, speak to your dentist.

      Any more questions?

      Our specialist baby advisors and experienced mums are here to talk and ready to help whenever you need them. You can call us or reach us on Live Chat 8.30am-5.30pm Monday-Friday.

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      Baby on board! Explore your pregnancy journey

      Discover something new about your baby's development every week, with exciting emails tailored to every stage of your pregnancy

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