2nd trimester: Week 17

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Your Baby

From crown to rump, your baby measures about 7 3/4 inches. He weighs about 5 ounces, but not for long, as fat is starting to fill out his body and keep him warm. By the time he's born, fat will account for two-thirds of his body weight. He has eyelashes now, although he's months away from being able to bat them.

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Your Body

Your uterus is about two inches below your belly button. As it fills the pelvis, it pushes up against your intestines, shifting them aside. Your lower abdomen swells with child, literally inside, the placenta is working hard to support and nourish your baby, its network of blood vessels delivering nutrients and carting away waste. 

Do's and Don'ts

Do munch on mini meals. Experts recommend eating six small meals throughout the day instead of three large ones to ease indigestion (caused by pregnancy hormones that slow down the digestion process). This way, you'll also avoid the nausea that kicks in when you go for hours without eating.

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Health

Some women suffer migraine headaches for the first time during pregnancy, which doctors chalk up to fluctuating estrogen levels. Unfortunately, you can't rely on medications to make them go away. Instead, head off migraines at the pass by avoiding triggers such as chocolate, MSG, and caffeine. Minimize stress and try to get enough sleep (admittedly, that's easier said than done).

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