17 weeks pregnant: Baby’s development, symptoms and top tips

At 17 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 12 cm from head to bottom. In fruit terms, that’s about the size of a pear or a pomegranate. Delicious!

Your baby’s fingerprints are already developing, and fingernails and toenails are growing, though everything is still very small! This week your baby is beginning to grow eyebrows and eyelashes, their mouth can open and close and their eyes can move, though they’re still shut. Your baby’s hearing is continuing to develop and they’ll react to loud noises.

If you visit the midwife this week, they’ll be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat through the Doppler. It’s fast! Much faster than yours – almost a continual thrumming, rather than the duh-dum of your own heartbeat.

How are you feeling this week? Hopefully the sickness and fatigue are distant memories, now, but throughout pregnancy you might find niggling symptoms every now and again that remind you how much your body is changing to accommodate your growing baby.

Some people find their nesting instincts kick in in the second trimester. You might like to start planning some of the big purchases – like the buggy, or Moses basket, or car seat – or perhaps thinking about creating a nursery space for your little one. Don’t worry if you’re not ready to do any of this yet. It’s fine to wait until you’re further along – or, in the case of the nursery – until your baby is here. Newborns actually need very little ‘stuff’!

Pregnancy brain

How many times have you boiled the kettle to make a single cup of tea? And then forgotten to drink the tea when you have finally made it? It’s not unusual to get distracted mid-task and forget what you’re doing at this stage of pregnancy – a phenomenon commonly referred to as ‘pregnancy brain’. It happens because you’re overworked.

In week 17, there are so many new sensations, feelings and information to process, some of the basic stuff gets forgotten. There’s no need to be embarrassed about this temporary symptom – you’ll be able to laugh about it later!

Feeling your baby’s movements

Some people begin to feel movements in week 17, though others have to wait a few more weeks yet. It’s much easier to identify the movements if you’ve been pregnant before. For first-time mums on the watch for the tiniest little flutters, it will feel a bit like bubbles popping low down in your tummy, a sensation so slight that some people liken it to the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings. The sensation gets more defined as the baby grows until by the final few weeks it’s like being poked from the inside! 

Your womb gets bigger and bigger 

As your womb grows, you may well feel the ligaments that support it as they stretch, causing a kind of grinding and pulling sensation. This round ligament pain is very common throughout pregnancy and is nothing to worry about, though if you have severe discomfort, rhythmic pains or bleeding, call your midwife.

There are exercises that you can do to lessen the pain caused by your growing uterus, strengthen your pelvic floor and relax those ligaments. Try joining a pregnancy yoga class or following an exercise routine online that’s developed especially for pregnant people. Even just getting out and about will do you and your baby the world of good.

Varicose veins on your legs

At times you may notice small veins on your legs, known either as varicose veins or spider veins. This is completely normal and is no reason to worry: your body has a lot of work to do and is processing a larger amount of blood (another symptom of this is minor nosebleeds). Compression tights may help if you’re suffering – talk to your doctor or midwife for more advice.

Your bump becomes rounder 

In week 17, people you meet will probably be able to tell that you’re expecting a baby. Some people enjoy their curvier figure, with larger breasts, wider hips and a bigger baby bump. If that’s you, make sure you capture these moments with regular bump photos or perhaps even plan a pregnancy photoshoot.

If you’re not loving your new shape, try to be kind to yourself. Maternity wear can help you feel more comfortable, both physically and emotionally. Use positive self-talk to remind yourself that your body is doing something amazing, and these changes are the natural result of that. This isn’t a permanent state.

Stretch marks

As your skin stretches to keep up with your growing belly and breasts, you might begin to see some fine lines appearing. Keeping your skin hydrated with nourishing creams or oils can help boost its elasticity, but for most women developing at least some stretch marks is par for the course with pregnancy. Though they may appear dark in colour to begin with, they will fade over time and eventually you’ll barely notice them. Think of them as proof of your body’s amazing ability to adapt.

If you’re concerned that you’re putting on weight too quickly, check our weight chart, which shows the ideal weight gain based on your pre-pregnancy BMI.

Your body

Your heart and kidneys are working harder now, pumping lots of extra blood around to bring nourishment and oxygen to your baby. Your digestive system has less space than it used to, however, so it might become more sluggish, resulting in heartburn, indigestion, or constipation.

The best way to steer clear of these problems is to drink plenty of caffeine-free fluids – at least eight 8-ounce glasses a day - and eat lots of fibre-rich foods, like fruit, veg and wholegrain carbs. Organic fruits and vegetables are a great choice, with lots of fibre and no harmful pesticide residues.

Breast growth

You might be sick of hearing it, but your breasts are still growing and will continue to do so for the remainder of your pregnancy. For naturally small-breasted women, this can feel like a huge change in your shape – and perhaps one you can enjoy, so long as you have a supportive bra. If you’re already blessed with large breasts, the extra weight can put a lot of strain on your back. Visit a lingerie shop and seek advice on a bra or alternative underwear that is both supportive and comfortable.

Stretches to prevent sciatica

Sciatic pain can flare up during pregnancy, when your body is adjusting to the extra weight of pregnancy, plus associated muscle pain and unstable joints. It causes discomfort (or numbness or agony!) in your buttocks, down your leg, and sometimes all the way to your foot. Whether it is actually sciatica or just similar pain, you can alleviate the discomfort with exercise. For example, when seated, lay your foot across your opposite knee and lean forward slightly with a straight back to stretch the piriformis muscle in your buttocks.

Another nice stretch for the back is called the ‘table stretch’. Stand with feet just wider than hip width apart near to a table, back of a chair, shelf or similar that’s about hip height. Keeping your feet flat on the floor, put your hands on the surface with arms straight and bend at the hips so that your back is level like a table. Hold for 30 seconds or so, then push up, keeping hold of the surface. You’re effectively pushing your bum backwards and forwards as if you were doing a downward dog pose, but without attempting such a great range of movement!

There are other stretches that you can try that are great for your hip flexors. It’s worth having a look on YouTube for some you can follow along with.

Preventing painful gums

Your dental health can take a hit when you’re pregnant, so it’s more important than ever to keep up with good oral hygiene. Avoid drinking fizzy drinks through a straw, or anything that keeps sugars in contact with your teeth for a long time, like sweets you suck on.

If your gums are painful, you might need to switch to a softer toothbrush, or change your dental products. For example, it is not recommended you use mouthwash containing alcohol during pregnancy. Remember, dental treatment is free throughout pregnancy, so if in doubt, make an appointment and go and see your dentist.

Possible questions for midwives or doctors

Have you decided where you will be having your baby? Depending on your area, you may get a choice of hospital, and you may also be able to go to a midwife-led birthing centre. Then there’s also the matter of the birth plan. Would you like a water birth? Do you have preferences on pain relief?

These are all things you should think about, and it might do you good to talk to your midwife about your choices at your next antenatal appointment, as they have a wealth of experience for you to draw on. Talk to friends and family who have had babies locally, as well, for a realistic sense of what you can expect from your chosen hospital or birthing centre. If possible, book a tour to see what the facilities are like, so it’s not a total unknown on the day.

What should I be expecting at 17 weeks pregnant?

At 17 weeks pregnant, you should expect to feel relatively well and not too uncomfortable. You might be able to detect your baby’s movements, though these feelings will probably be very faint and inconsistent. Hopefully, you’re feeling happy and excited at the prospect that you’realmost halfway through your pregnancy.

If you’re feeling really low or anxious, make sure you talk about your feelings – either to your partner, friends or family, or to your health professional. They all want to support you through your pregnancy and they can only do that if you tell them how you’re feeling.

Where is my baby at 17 weeks in my stomach?

Your uterus is growing and your midwife should be able to feel the top of it outside your pelvic cavity now. If you’re ‘listening’ out for sensations, concentrate on your knicker line for now. Flutterings higher up than that are likely from your stomach or digestive tract!

How many months is 17 weeks pregnant?

At 17 weeks pregnant, you are 4 months along. Congratulations! Almost halfway there.

What pains are normal at 17 weeks pregnant?

At this point, any cramping should have disappeared, so if you do feel period pain-like sensations, talk to your midwife or call the maternity ward for guidance. (Take a look at your yellow notes for instructions on what to do if you’re worried.) 

You will likely experience other types of pain from time to time. For example, occasional sharp jabbing pain in your abdomen – usually occurring when you move suddenly, such as when you cough, sneeze, or laugh – is usually the feeling of your ligaments stretching. These ligaments attach your uterus to your pelvis, so they are under quite a lot of pressure. Pain in that area is not unusual, but it’s not usually sustained. If your pain persists, talk to your midwife.

How do I know if my baby is kicking at 17 weeks?

The million-dollar question! In all likelihood, the first few times it happens, you won’t be sure that what you’re feeling is actually the baby. But the more you feel it, the more certain you will become. The feeling has been likened to popcorn popping in your tummy, or bubbles bursting. It’s happening in a different place than gas bubbles would normally occur, so try giving yourself the time and quiet to concentrate on your body. You’ll soon become familiar with the sensation.

Got questions? At the HiPPBabyClub, we bring you real-world advice and support from HiPP parents, midwives, nutritionists and more. Join our Baby Club to find out more.