17 weeks pregnant: heartburn, aches and stretch marks

At 17 weeks pregnant, fine hair called lanugo is starting to cover your baby's body, and a layer of fat is forming under the skin. KKH's planner flags three symptoms for weeks 17 to 24: aches and pains, heartburn and skin changes. Here's what helps with each.

Your baby at 17 weeks

• Lanugo coats the whole body and will shed close to term.
• The legs have caught up and are now longer than the arms.
• Fat is laid down under the skin, which will help your baby keep warm after birth.
• Your baby is starting to respond to the outside world, and loud noises may startle it into moving. KKH says the twists and turns may soon be felt as kicks.

Aches and pains

Your ligaments are stretching to get ready for birth, which can make your pelvic area ache. A dull backache can come and go through pregnancy and often gets worse in the third trimester as your baby gets heavier.

KKH suggests a warm towel on your back, or a gentle back and leg massage from your partner. Paracetamol is safe if you need it. For professional massage, our guide to prenatal massage in Singapore covers timing and what to tell the therapist.

See your specialist if you feel burning pain shooting down a leg or numbness you can't explain; you may need a referral.

Heartburn

• Eat small meals more often.
• Don't eat close to bedtime, and don't lie flat straight after a meal.
• Go easy on oily and spicy food.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes.
• If it keeps up, ask your doctor for a pregnancy-safe antacid.

Skin changes

A dark line may appear running from your belly button to your pubic bone. It's called the linea nigra, and KKH says it lightens after pregnancy.

Stretch marks may show up as your bump grows, usually purple or red at first and fading to pale white after delivery. KKH suggests gently massaging your belly with a pregnancy-safe oil. It's also frank that no cream or drug makes stretch marks go away for good once you have them. Abdominal exercises three months after a vaginal birth, or six after a caesarean, may help tone your tummy. More in how to reduce stretch marks.

What's due in Singapore at 17 weeks

When to call the hospital

Burning leg pain or numbness needs your specialist. Bleeding, fluid leaking, painful tightening, a bad headache, chest pain, fainting or breathlessness need a same-day check.

Where to go: KKH runs a 24-hour walk-in Urgent O&G Centre (Basement 1, Women's Tower) for pain and bleeding in pregnancies under 22 weeks. Milder bleeding or pain before 16 weeks can be booked into its Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit for the same or next working day. Other hospitals have their own O&G urgent services, so ask yours where to go.

Frequently asked questions

Is heartburn normal at 17 weeks pregnant?

Yes, KKH lists it among the common symptoms from week 17. Small, frequent meals help, and your doctor can suggest a pregnancy-safe antacid.

Can I take paracetamol at 17 weeks pregnant?

KKH says paracetamol is safe to take in pregnancy for aches and pains.

Will my stretch marks go away?

They fade from red or purple to pale white after delivery, KKH says, but no cream removes them for good.

17 weeks pregnant is how many months?

About four months, counted from the first day of your last period.

Week by week. Previous week: 16 weeks pregnant. Next week: 18 weeks pregnant. Every week from 4 to 40: pregnancy week by week.