Week 17: Build Me Up Buttercup

Welcome to week 17! You’ve made it to the end of another month! You may continue to see different visible signs of pregnancy. Some women are prone to developing vascular spiders, which are just small “spidery” blood vessels close to the skin’s surface that appear in pregnancy. Others develop varicose veins, bulging blood vessels visible on the skin’s surface that develop due to increased blood volume and disrupted blood flow. The linea nigra may become darker in colour as it slowly moves up your tummy to match your growing uterus. Pigmentation changes also darken the areola around the nipple and vulva. Some women also experience more oily skin, excessive perspiration, or worsening acne in pregnancy. Again, these changes are all hormone-related and fade in the postpartum period. As your bump grows and your body changes, accepting these changes is essential. Feeling comfortable in your changing body is key to embracing pregnancy, so wear clothes that are comfortable and make you feel good. More importantly, find love for the changes happening because of what they represent!

Your baby is now 17 weeks! In preparation for your baby making more movements, a thick protective coating called vernix appears on the skin’s surface. This layer protects the skin, giving the skin time to start building more layers and become more durable. This vernix will remain on your baby’s skin until her due date, after which it will be absorbed and disappear.