Monday, April 25, 2005

Welcome to Week 17!

If you saw an ultrasound of your fetus right now, you'd spot a number of recognizable features. Your baby-to-be has thin eyebrows, hair on his scalp, and well-developed limbs. He's mastered a few simple reflexes, too -- sucking, swallowing, and blinking. Head to rump, the fetus measures 5 inches (12.7 cm) long and weighs approximately 6 ounces (170 g). Underneath the baby's skin, fat is forming. By the end of your pregnancy, this fat will account for 2% to 6% of the baby's weight and help maintain his body temperature at birth. At this age, your baby's hearing is pretty sharp. He can make out your conversations and may even be startled by loud noises! Whether you feel it or not, your baby is becoming very active, moving his head, arms, and legs, and making breathing movements.

Make sure you're getting about 120 grams of protein a day for twins, more for higher order multiples. It's not as hard as it might seem. A quick peanut butter sandwich, or an egg can help boost those numbers up there. Some women find that protein powders added to other meals is easier for them.

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