Pregnancy calendar - week 17

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Constipation is a common complaint during pregnancy and though it’s not serious, it can be quite painful sometimes. Why not get in touch and ask about foods you can eat to help avoid it?

Christine, pregnancy advisor and mum

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Your baby’s development


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.

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.

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.

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