17 Week Pregnancy: Baby Development, Symptoms and Tips
Short Answer: At 17 week pregnancy, your baby is about 13 cm long, roughly the size of a pomegranate or a turnip, and weighs around 140 grams. Your baby is starting to build fat under the skin, the skeleton is hardening, a waxy coating called vernix is forming and the umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger. You may feel the first flutters, and your bump is growing. This week is a good time to book your anomaly scan for 18 to 22 weeks, check your hemoglobin, take your iron and calcium as prescribed and learn the warning signs of high blood pressure. Call a doctor for heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever, fluid leaking or a severe headache with blurred vision.
Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period, not from conception. Seventeen weeks pregnant means about fifteen weeks since conception. You are in your fifth month with about 23 weeks to go. For the week before, read our guide to 16 /weeks pregnant, for the next, 18 weeks pregnant, and to follow the whole journey see our pregnancy guidelines week by week.
Week 17 at a glance
| Detail | At 17 weeks |
|---|---|
| Trimester | Second |
| Months | About 4 |
| Baby’s length | About 13 cm (5 inches) |
| Baby’s weight | About 140 grams |
| Heart rate | About 140 to 150 beats per minute |
| Weeks to go | About 23 |
| Size comparison | A pomegranate or a turnip |
Your baby at 17 weeks
Growth. Your baby has grown steadily and now weighs around 140 grams. Over the next weeks the weight will rise much faster, because fat and muscle are building up.
Fat. Your baby is starting to lay down fat under the skin. Some of it is a special type called brown fat, which helps newborns stay warm after birth. Fat also smooths out the wrinkled, see-through skin over the coming weeks.
Vernix. A white, creamy coating called vernix caseosa begins to cover the skin. It protects the thin skin from the amniotic fluid and helps with temperature control. Some of it is still visible on newborns.
Skeleton. The cartilage is turning into bone, and the skeleton is much firmer. The bones of the ears are hardening, which helps hearing develop.
Umbilical cord. The cord has grown thicker and stronger, and it carries blood, oxygen and nutrients between the placenta and your baby. It can be 50 cm long by the end of pregnancy. Your baby may play with the cord and hold it, which is normal.
Hearing. The ears are working, and your baby may start to hear your heartbeat, your voice and your stomach sounds. A loud noise may make your baby jump.
Movement and reflexes. Your baby is very active, with kicks, rolls, hiccups and thumb-sucking. The muscles are strong, and the baby can grasp, stretch and curl. Sleep and wake patterns begin, though they are not regular yet.
Organs. The lungs are developing, with small airways forming. The kidneys make urine, and the liver and pancreas work. The sweat glands are developing. The brain is growing quickly, with more connections forming between nerve cells.
Sex. The genitals are well formed. A sonographer can often see the sex at the anomaly scan in the next weeks. If you do not want to know, tell the sonographer before the scan starts.
Your body at 17 weeks
Womb. Your womb is about the size of a large melon, and the top sits roughly midway between the pubic bone and the navel. By week 20 it will be level with your navel. A bump is likely to be visible, especially if you have had a baby before. First-time mothers may still be small, and height, build and muscle tone affect how you show.
Weight. From now, a person of normal weight usually gains about 0.4 to 0.5 kg a week. Gain varies, and your doctor will track yours at each visit.
Energy. Most people feel well. Nausea has usually gone, and sleep is better. Use the energy to exercise and plan, but do not overdo it.
Blood pressure. Blood pressure often dips a little in the second trimester, which can cause dizziness. Stand up slowly and eat regularly. After about 20 weeks it can start to rise, so every visit includes a blood pressure check.
Breathing. The growing womb and the hormone progesterone can make you feel slightly breathless, especially on stairs. Rest and take your time. Call a doctor if breathlessness is sudden or severe, or comes with chest pain.
Skin and hair. A glow is common, but so are acne, dry skin and dark patches on the face (melasma). A dark line down the belly (linea nigra) may appear. Stretch marks can start to show. Hair often looks thicker. These changes usually fade after the birth.
Dreams and sleep. Vivid dreams are common. Sleep can get harder as your belly grows.
Appetite. You need about 300 extra calories a day. You do not need to eat for two.
Feeling the baby move
The first movement is called quickening. It often feels like bubbles, flutters, a gentle tap or a swimming fish. You may not be sure what it is at first.
- People who have been pregnant before often feel it between 14 and 18 weeks.
- First-time mothers usually feel it between 18 and 22 weeks.
- An anterior placenta, which sits at the front of the womb, and a larger body size can delay the feeling.
- Movement is irregular at this stage, so do not worry if you feel it one day and not the next.
You do not need to count kicks yet. Doctors usually advise paying attention to your baby’s pattern from about 28 weeks. If you notice a clear drop in movement later in pregnancy, call your doctor the same day.
Common symptoms and what helps
| Symptom | Why it happens | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Backache | Growing womb, loosening joints, posture | Flat supportive shoes, good posture, side-sleeping with a pillow, gentle stretches |
| Round ligament pain, a sharp pull in the lower belly or groin | Ligaments stretch as the womb grows | Move slowly, rest, warm bath |
| Stuffy nose, nosebleeds | More blood flow to the nose lining | Saline spray, a humidifier, lean forward and pinch the nose for a bleed |
| Bleeding gums | More blood flow to the gums | Soft brush, gentle flossing, dental check |
| Headaches | Hormones, tiredness, dehydration | Rest, fluids, ask your doctor before taking medicine |
| Dizziness | Blood pressure changes, low blood sugar | Eat regularly, stand up slowly |
| Heartburn | Relaxed valve at the top of the stomach | Smaller meals, avoid spicy and oily food, stay upright after eating |
| Constipation | Slow gut, iron tablets | Fibre, water, daily movement |
| Leg cramps, mostly at night | Circulation and mineral changes | Calf stretches before bed, drink water, ask about calcium |
| Increased vaginal discharge | Hormones | Cotton underwear, no douching |
| Itchy, stretching belly skin | Skin stretching | Moisturiser, loose cotton clothes |
| Swollen feet and ankles | Fluid retention | Raise your feet, avoid long standing |
| Mild breathlessness | Growing womb, hormones | Rest, good posture |
Do not take any medicine, including painkillers and herbal products, without asking a doctor or pharmacist.
When to call a doctor
| Usually normal | Call a doctor soon |
|---|---|
| Short, sharp pulls in the lower belly | Severe or constant abdominal pain |
| Mild cramps after activity that settle with rest | Bleeding that soaks a pad in an hour, or with clots |
| Milky white discharge | Watery fluid leaking, or foul, itchy or coloured discharge |
| Occasional headache | Severe headache with blurred vision, flashing lights or upper belly pain |
| Tiredness, mood swings | Fainting, chest pain or sudden breathlessness |
| Mild swelling of feet late in the day | Sudden swelling of the face and hands |
| Occasional nosebleed | Any fever, burning urination or pain in one calf |
After 20 weeks, a severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling and pain under the ribs can be signs of pre-eclampsia, a serious blood pressure condition. It needs urgent care. Call straight away for fluid leaking from the vagina, regular tightening of the belly that does not stop or any fever. If you feel sad, anxious or hopeless for more than two weeks, tell your doctor. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, seek help right away.
Anaemia and iron
Anaemia, or low hemoglobin, is common among pregnant women in South Asia, including Bangladesh. It can make you tired, pale, dizzy and short of breath, and it raises risks for you and your baby. The World Health Organization defines anaemia in pregnancy as a hemoglobin below 11 g/dL in the first and third trimesters and below 10.5 g/dL in the second.
How to prevent it:
- Take iron-folic acid tablets exactly as your doctor prescribes.
- Eat iron-rich foods such as leafy greens (shak), lean meat, fish, eggs and lentils.
- Add vitamin C, such as lemon, guava or orange, to meals to help absorb iron.
- Take iron away from tea, coffee and milk, which reduce absorption.
- Ask your doctor about deworming if it is advised in your area, because worms can cause blood loss.
What to do: ask for a hemoglobin test at your next visit. If it is low, your doctor may increase your iron dose, change the type or advise a longer treatment. Severe anaemia needs hospital care. If iron upsets your stomach, ask about taking it at a different time or in a different form rather than stopping it.
Tests and visits
| Test or step | When | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Quad screen (blood test) | Up to about 22 weeks | Estimates the chance of Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and neural tube defects |
| Amniocentesis | From 15 to 16 weeks | Diagnostic test if screening shows a higher chance |
| Anomaly scan | 18 to 22 weeks | Checks organs, spine, limbs, face, heart, placenta and growth |
| Glucose test | 24 to 28 weeks | Screens for gestational diabetes |
| Anti-D injection | About 28 weeks, if you are Rh negative | Protects future pregnancies |
| Whooping cough vaccine | About 27 to 36 weeks | Protects your newborn |
| Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine | During pregnancy, as your doctor advises | Protects you and your baby |
The anomaly scan. It is the detailed scan that checks your baby’s organs, spine, limbs, face, heart, the position of the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid. It usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. Book it now, because slots fill up. A full bladder is not usually needed, but check with your clinic. If the sonographer cannot see everything, you may be asked to come back. That is common and not a cause for alarm.
Visits. Most doctors see you every four weeks until about 28 weeks, then more often. Each visit checks your blood pressure, weight, belly size, urine and your baby’s heartbeat. The World Health Organization recommends at least eight contacts during pregnancy. If you miss a visit, rebook as soon as you can.
Vaccines. Ask your doctor about the tetanus-diphtheria schedule, since you may need two doses at least four weeks apart if you were not vaccinated before. Ask about the flu vaccine and the whooping cough vaccine.
Food and weight
Eat more of:
- Protein: eggs, well-cooked fish, chicken, lentils (dal), beans and milk
- Iron-rich foods: leafy greens (shak), lean meat and lentils, with lemon or guava for vitamin C
- Fruit and vegetables: a variety of colours every day
- Whole grains and fibre: brown rice, whole wheat roti and oats
- Calcium: milk, yogurt and small fish eaten with the bones
- Water: about 8 to 10 glasses across the day
Take as advised: iron-folic acid tablets, calcium and vitamin D as your doctor prescribes. Many doctors advise calcium from about 20 weeks. Do not add extra supplements on your own.
Limit: caffeine to about 200 mg a day, which is one or two cups of tea or a single small coffee, and sugary and fried snacks.
Avoid: alcohol, all tobacco (including zarda and jorda), raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, unpasteurized milk and cheese, unwashed produce, large predatory fish such as shark and swordfish, high-dose vitamin A, unripe papaya and herbal tonics your doctor has not approved.
Weight gain. Total gain over the whole pregnancy depends on your weight before pregnancy, and Asian-specific BMI ranges may apply, so ask your doctor.
| Weight before pregnancy | Recommended total gain |
|---|---|
| Underweight | 12.5 to 18 kg |
| Normal weight | 11.5 to 16 kg |
| Overweight | 7 to 11.5 kg |
| Obese | 5 to 9 kg |
Exercise, sleep and posture
Move. The standard advice for healthy pregnancies is about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking on most days. Swimming, prenatal yoga, stationary cycling and pelvic floor exercises are good choices. You should be able to talk while you exercise. Avoid contact sports, heavy lifting and activities with a risk of falls. Stop and call your doctor if you have pain, bleeding, dizziness or trouble breathing.
Pelvic floor. Squeeze and lift the muscles you use to stop urine flow, hold for a few seconds and release. Do a few sets a day.
Sleep. Sleep on your side, with a pillow between your knees and another under your belly. After about 20 weeks, doctors advise against sleeping flat on your back. A long body pillow helps. Keep a regular bedtime and avoid screens at night.
Posture. As your belly grows, your centre of gravity shifts forward. Stand tall, keep your shoulders back, avoid high heels and use a chair that supports your lower back. Lift by bending your knees. A support belt can ease back pain, so ask your doctor.
Common pregnancy myths in Bangladesh
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| You must eat for two | You need about 300 extra calories in the second trimester, not double. |
| Ripe papaya and pineapple cause miscarriage | Normal amounts of ripe fruit are generally considered fine. Avoid unripe papaya, and ask your doctor. |
| Pregnant women should not go out after dark or to certain places | There is no medical reason. Take normal safety precautions. |
| The shape of the bump shows the baby’s sex | It does not. Bump shape depends on your body and muscle tone. |
| Pregnant women should stay in bed | Gentle activity is good for you and your baby. |
| Eating ghee or extra fat makes labour easier | There is no evidence. A balanced diet is best. |
| A C-section is always safer | Not always. Surgery has risks, and it is best when there is a medical reason. Ask your doctor. |
If you hear advice from family, it is polite to listen, and wise to check with your doctor before you act on it.
Planning your birth
It is not too early to start thinking about where and how you will give birth.
- Where. Choose a hospital or clinic with a qualified doctor or midwife, a way to handle emergencies and a blood supply. Ask what the delivery package covers and what an emergency would cost.
- Mode of delivery. Bangladesh has a high rate of C-sections. Many are done for medical reasons, but some are not needed. Ask your doctor to explain when a C-section is recommended and what a vaginal birth involves.
- Transport. Plan how you will get to the hospital at any hour, and keep emergency numbers handy.
- Money. Save for delivery, newborn care and any complications.
- Support. Decide who will be with you and who will look after children or the home.
- Maternity leave. Under Bangladesh’s labour law, working mothers in the private sector are entitled to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, eight before and eight after the birth. Government employees receive six months. Check your own contract.
- Prenatal classes. Ask about classes on labour, breathing, newborn care and breastfeeding.
Checklist for this week
- Book your anomaly scan for 18 to 22 weeks
- Ask for a hemoglobin test and take iron-folic acid as prescribed
- Ask about calcium, the tetanus-diphtheria, flu and whooping cough vaccines
- Learn the signs of pre-eclampsia and know who to call
- Ask about the quad screen if you have not had it
- Keep a list of your medicines and share it with your doctor
- Cut caffeine, alcohol and tobacco
- Start a daily walk and pelvic floor exercises
- Buy flat, supportive shoes and a body pillow
- Save your doctor’s number and the nearest hospital’s emergency number
FAQ
How big is the baby at 17 weeks?
About 13 cm long and 140 grams, roughly the size of a pomegranate or a turnip. Sizes vary a little between babies.
Can I feel the baby move at 17 weeks?
Some people can, especially if they have been pregnant before. First-time mothers usually feel the first movement between 18 and 22 weeks. Do not worry if you feel nothing yet.
Should I have a bump at 17 weeks?
Many people do, especially after a first pregnancy. First-time mothers may still look only slightly rounder. Both are normal.
Can I find out the baby’s sex at 17 weeks?
Sometimes a clear scan shows it, but the anomaly scan at 18 to 22 weeks is more reliable.
Why am I short of breath at 17 weeks?
Hormones and the growing womb change how you breathe. Mild breathlessness is common. Call your doctor if it is sudden, severe or comes with chest pain.
What is vernix?
A white, creamy coating that forms on the baby’s skin from about this week. It protects the skin from the amniotic fluid.
Is it normal to feel dizzy at 17 weeks?
Yes, because blood pressure often dips in the second trimester. Stand up slowly and eat regularly. Call your doctor if you faint or feel dizzy with a headache or vision changes.
Is it safe to exercise at 17 weeks?
Yes for most healthy pregnancies. Walking, swimming, gentle yoga and pelvic floor exercises are good. Avoid contact sports and heavy lifting.
How do I know if I am anaemic?
You may feel tired, pale and short of breath, but the only way to know is a hemoglobin blood test. Ask your doctor at your next visit.
Note: This article gives general information and does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife. Every pregnancy is different. Call your doctor or go to a hospital if you have bleeding, severe pain, fever, fainting or any symptom that worries you.
