Pregnancy Guide: What You Need to Know at 17 Weeks Pregnant

Ooh, now your baby is beefing up! You’re already 17 weeks pregnant, and you know what that means? Lots of new surprises and a fast-growing baby bump. Learn more about what to expect this week and in your second trimester here.

17 Weeks Pregnant in Months

At 17 weeks pregnant, you’re in your fourth month of pregnancy. Pregnancy is typically calculated in terms of months with each month considered to be around four weeks long. So, if you’re at 17 weeks, you’re just about entering your fifth month of this incredible journey toward parenthood!

Pregnancy Week 17: Baby

You might be starting to feel like your little bundle of joy is taking over your body. That’s because, indeed, your baby is growing larger and more active every day.

Your baby’s brain and spinal cord are forming, and their organs are starting to take shape. Their eyes are developing and their ears are opening up. They can even hear your voice!

Your baby’s lungs are starting to develop—but they won’t be fully formed until the end of the pregnancy.

Your baby’s bone marrow is producing blood cells and their liver is developing enough to start making bile. They also have a fully functioning digestive system that will help them get the nutrients they need once they’re born.

Baby’s Growth

Your baby is now the size of a large onion, at about 13cm in height and about 140g in weight. Now is a good time to think if you want to know your baby’s gender.

Week 17 of your pregnancy is when your baby’s growth really starts to take off.

The bones of your baby’s face are mostly formed, and more and more hair follicles are appearing on the scalp.

Your baby’s brain is developing rapidly, with nerve cells forming clusters called “somites,” which will eventually become the bones and muscles of your baby’s back and neck. The liver is also forming and will soon start processing waste products from your blood.

Your baby’s kidneys have started to form as well, though they won’t be fully functional until after birth. The lungs are also developing rapidly during this time, with alveoli—tiny air sacs where oxygen enters the bloodstream—forming in their walls.

The umbilical cord is also growing longer as more blood flows through it, carrying nutrients from the mother’s placenta to her developing baby.

Baby’s Development

In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you’ll learn that:

• Your baby’s air passage is now ready to take in oxygen instead of amniotic fluid.
• Their bones have started hardening—a process called ossification. Their legs and inner ears will be the first to ossify.
• Your baby will know you on a very personal level because they can already hear sounds inside your body, including the noises made by your heartbeat, breathing, and digestion.
• At this stage, their nerves will now be forming myelin—a protective layer of protein and fatty substances that insulate nerves to promote quick and efficient transmission of electrical impulses–which is vital for their nervous system to function properly post-birth.
• Also, their umbilical cord is becoming stronger and thicker at pregnancy week 17.
• Baby’s sweat glands have begun to form, and by next week, the layers of his skin will be fully formed.
• Scans will become more exciting as your doctor will be listening to your munchkin’s heartbeat.

Baby’s Hearing

Your baby has been developing the ability to hear sounds from outside of the womb and respond to them: if you talk to your belly, your baby will move around in response.

At this point, your baby’s hearing is still developing. He or she can hear sounds from inside and outside the womb, and even recognises the sound of your voice. Your baby will respond to loud noises by moving around, kicking, or sucking their thumb.

Baby’s Teeth

Your baby is also starting to develop taste buds! So now he or she can tell what foods he or she likes by tasting them through the amniotic fluid and mucus that covers him or her.

Your little one’s teeth are forming beneath the gums. The roots of the teeth are starting to grow into the jaw bone, and the enamel—the hard outer layer—is just beginning to form. In fact, it’s still considered “tooth bud” at this point!

Baby’s Movement

Can you feel your baby at 17 weeks?

Your baby has been busy growing and developing in the past few weeks—but now he or she is finally starting to move around. This week is when the first flutters begin—it’s barely noticeable at first, but eventually those little movements will become stronger and more frequent as time goes on.

So what do these movements feel like? 

These sensations are often described as flutters or gentle taps, and they’re known as “quickening.” Keep in mind that the timing of when you feel these movements can vary widely depending on factors like your body’s anatomy, the position of the placenta, and whether you’ve been pregnant before.

You’ll notice them most often when you’re lying down or sitting still for long periods of time—especially when you’re lying on your back or stomach (if you don’t want to feel it while sitting up).

If you’re a first-time parent, you might not notice these sensations as early as someone who has been through pregnancy before. Feeling your baby move is an exciting milestone and a reassuring sign of their growth and development.

The movements are usually light taps and jabs, though sometimes they can feel more like strong kicks.

17 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body

The good news is that your baby is growing quickly enough that they will probably be born before you have time to get too uncomfortable. If you’re having any trouble sleeping or eating well because of discomfort, talk with your doctor about ways to ease the pain. Your body knows what it needs in order for your baby’s development, so let it guide you!

Although you are most likely thinking about the baby growing inside of you, this week is a great time to focus on your body as well. You might find that your skin is looking and feeling different than usual.

You may notice that your belly button is protruding more than normal, or maybe it’s sunken in a little bit? Either way, don’t worry! It’s all part of the changes happening in your body during pregnancy. You’ll also notice that your breasts are becoming larger and more sensitive. This is because they are making milk for the baby.

You may want to invest in some maternity clothing now if you haven’t already started wearing it. Some women continue to experience morning sickness this week, so make sure you have some crackers or dry toast on hand for when those cravings hit!

17 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

What are the sign of a healthy pregnancy at 17 weeks?

At 17 weeks, there are several positive signs that can indicate a healthy pregnancy. You might notice a boost in your energy levels and a decrease in nausea if you experienced morning sickness during the first trimester. Your appetite might return, and you could start gaining weight at a steady pace, which is generally a positive sign that your baby is growing well.

Feeling those gentle flutters or movements from your baby can also be a reassuring sign of their activity and well-being. Additionally, any discomfort you may have felt earlier might start to ease as your body adjusts to the changes. Here are more pregnancy symptoms that may have at 17 weeks pregnant: 

• Morning sickness may have come and gone, but you may still feel a little lightheaded and dizzy due to normal pregnancy-related cardiovascular changes (a higher heart rate, bigger blood vessels to accommodate an increased blood volume, and temporary changes in circulation).
• As your baby grows, chances are that so will you! Get ready for those extra kilos. Learn how much weight should you gain here.
• This is also the time when those much-dreaded stretch marks make an appearance. Mild itching is also a common pregnancy problem. So just keep moisturising and drink enough water to keep your skin moist.
• The increased blood flow in your body is accompanied by an increased discharge of bodily fluids such as vaginal discharge, sweat, and mucus.
• Have strange and vivid dreams lately? Just relax. It’s not a premonition but more likely a product of fluctuating hormones plus the intense emotions and stress you feel as your pregnancy progresses.

Maternal Weight Gain

This week, you’ll notice that your breasts are getting bigger and fuller. The change in size is part of the reason for your increased weight gain. Your breasts will continue to grow to their final size during pregnancy, but they may not get quite as big as they do during this stage.

You’ll also notice more stretch marks starting to show on your abdomen, where there was once a flat plane of skin. This is because your skin is stretched to accommodate the growing fetus. You’ll see some small bumps appear on your lower belly; these are called moles and are normal for this time of pregnancy.

Your uterus is growing larger too, making room for the baby’s head and body. These changes can make it feel like you’re carrying around an extra person!

Nutrition

As a mother-to-be, you may have already heard that the health of your baby depends on the health of your diet. But what does this really mean? What are the best foods to eat during pregnancy, and how can you make sure that you’re getting enough nutrients?

While there is no one-size-fits-all list of foods to eat during pregnancy, there are some general rules that most doctors agree on:

• Eat a wide variety of foods from each food group (fruit, vegetables, grains, milk products) every day.
• Choose whole grains over refined grains.
• Focus on fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins A and C (such as broccoli, carrots and kiwis).
• Eat plenty of calcium-rich foods (such as milk and yoghurt). You may also want to take a prenatal vitamin with extra calcium if necessary.
• Keep an eye out for signs of anaemia (fatigue or shortness of breath) or low blood sugar (a drop in energy levels or frequent hunger). If either happens, talk with your doctor about ways to improve these conditions.

Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 17 Weeks Pregnant

• Time to check in with your doctor to see if all your prenatal vitamin supplements are adequately meeting your nutrient needs, as well as your baby’s.
• If you are still wearing high heels, it is probably a good time to ditch them for low-heeled or flat footwear. This is the time that your centre of gravity has shifted courtesy of the extra weight you’re carrying.
• You and your husband should decide on whether you want to know your baby’s gender.
• Support your baby’s bone development (and your own) by eating foods that are rich in calcium.
• If you’re not careful, the pregnancy pounds may pile on really quick, so be mindful of your diet. If you want, you can consult a nutritionist to help you plan your meals. You can also try to get more exercise.

Your next week: 18 weeks pregnant

Your previous week: 16 weeks pregnant

Updates from Pheona Ilagan

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