Week 17

Your Baby’s Development:

During this week, your baby is about the size of a pear. The sucking and swallowing practice continues this week and your baby is even producing meconium, a black and tarry waste material inside his or her intestines which will become his or her first bowel movement after being born. Your baby’s heartbeat is regulating his or her brain and you can expect an average heartbeat of about 150 beats per minute this week. In addition to growing into a baby, your little one is already creating its first identity, forming the beginnings of unique fingerprints.

What You Should Expect:

Your appetite is on the rise, but remember that you only need between 250 and 300 extra calories per day to support your growing baby. Add healthy and nutritious foods to your diet and remember that you can indulge in a slice of cheesecake or even some pizza from time to time. What’s more, your pregnancy is probably very noticeable by now as your belly and breasts grow faster every day.