Week17

At 17 weeks abdomen grows as the internal organs move around, providing space for the uterus and baby. The uterus begins pushing the intestines up and outwards, towards the sides of the abdomen, allowing to feel the uterus more when one is standing rather than sleeping or lying down. There may be an occasional pain in the legs called sciatic nerve pain, which can be excruciating for some women. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and it runs under the uterus, traveling down the entire length of the leg. The cause of the pain is usually pressure on the nerve caused by the growing baby, and it can sometimes be alleviated by avoiding standing in one place for too long, or by putting pillows under your legs while sleeping at night to provide support.