WeMoms
9 Apr 2024

My baby at 17 weeks of pregnancy

Your Baby at 17 Weeks
As big as a bell pepper
Length
5.6
Weight
6.7

This week, your baby is about the size of an avocado. This means your fetus is at about 5½ inches long and weighs about 6½ ounces.

You've made it this far which is like almost halfway!

What's new this week?
Baby’s Changes Overview
Open 3D Baby to see all changes
  • Nail Growth: Your baby is starting to develop nails on their fingers and toes.

  • Physical Interaction: They are now able to touch their toes and face, exploring their growing body.

  • Placenta Development: While fully formed by 18 to 20 weeks, the placenta continues to grow, playing a crucial role in nourishing your baby and will weigh nearly 16 ounces at term.

  • Lung Preparation: Your baby is practicing breathing movements with amniotic fluid, preparing their lungs for life outside the womb. The development of alveoli in the lungs is crucial for oxygen exchange post-birth.

  • Facial Expressions and Reflexes: Yawning and hiccuping are new skills your baby has mastered, contributing to their growing repertoire of movements.

  • Nervous System Development: The nervous system is rapidly expanding, with myelin forming around nerves to speed up neural connections. The brain's sensory areas are also developing, enhancing touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing.

  • Sex-Specific Development: Depending on your baby's gender, reproductive organs are also developing. For girls, the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries are in place, with ovaries containing a lifetime supply of eggs. For boys, the testicles are descending, and the penis is visible.
As many as 40% of moms begin to feel their baby's movements, a delightful sensation often described as 'flutters.' This period is an excellent opportunity to start bonding with your baby through talking or singing.
Juliette, Midwife for 8+ years
Helping your baby's development
  • Vitamin D Intake: Essential for your baby's bone, teeth, immune system, brain, and nervous system development. Aim for 15-20 minutes of sunlight exposure daily to boost your vitamin D levels naturally.

  • Stay Hydrated: Incorporate water-rich fruits and vegetables into your diet to help meet your hydration needs. Watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers, lettuce, and celery are excellent choices.

  • Maintain Physical Activity: Engage in low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga to support your health and prepare your body for childbirth. Always listen to your body and adjust your activities as needed.

  • Optimal Sleep Position: Sleeping on your left side can improve blood flow to your baby and reduce swelling and back pain. Use a pillow between your knees for added comfort and to maintain proper hip alignment.
Top Asked Questions
When should I start thinking about childbirth classes?

Consider enrolling in childbirth classes during the second trimester, ideally between weeks 20 and 24. These classes provide valuable information and preparation for labor and delivery.

What is the purpose of the fetal anatomy scan?

The fetal anatomy scan, performed around week 20, checks the baby's development in detail, including vital organs, limbs, and overall growth.

Is it normal to have swollen ankles and feet during pregnancy?

Mild swelling in the ankles and feet can be normal during pregnancy, especially in the later stages. However, severe or sudden swelling should be reported to your healthcare provider.

What can I do to manage pregnancy-related back pain?

To manage back pain, practice good posture, use ergonomic support, consider prenatal massages, and perform exercises that strengthen your back and core muscles.

Juliette
Midwife for 8+ years
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17 weeks so cuteeee🥰 we think boy ! What’s your guesses !?!? #babyboyorgirl ?!

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I'ma guess a girl! ❤️
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I'm gonna guess Boy 😁
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Is it possible to feel baby movement about an inch or so above your belly button at 17 weeks? Seems a bit high to feel at 17 weeks right? I’m a first time momma, so I know nothing lol.

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No ma’am baby is still low
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That’s what I thought…it just feels different than gas 😂
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Do anyone else's baby be sleep at your ultrasound appts? The last 2 this little girl was sleep and barely wanted to wake up 😩 Look at these little legs crossed and comfortable 🥺🥺 17 weeks 1 day. I think she likes to be up at night.

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I always drink a smoothie or cold drinks so he be up kicking it
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She’s going to be tall huh mama? How tall are you and her dad?
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17 May 2023

Hello ladies…when did you start shopping for your little one? I lost my first baby at 17 weeks due to short cervix, but I have a cerclage this go round but I’m scared to purchase anything.

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I lost my first baby at 20 weeks and so with my second baby I kept waiting and I needed up in the hospital due to preeclampsia a month before she was born and I had bought nothing I was devastated. so now i’m currently 13 weeks and I’m shopping online and putting things in my cart but I haven’t checked out yet. I’m not leaving it to others to shop for me. I have bought atleast one sleeper already that was too cute to pass on. I think you should do what feels right and be proactive
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This is my third baby, cerclage with all 3, my first 2 I was totally done and ready by 25 weeks. This go around I have a few outfits and that's it and in 24 weeks.😮 just not in a hurry this time I guess. Sorry to hear about your loss!
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Lexi
27 Feb 2023

Hey mommas. At 17 weeks what did your baby bump look like? I’m so self conscious because mine is still so undefined🥺

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💙🧸 ( Zyaire’s Mommy ) 🧸💙
This was my bump at 17 weeks. My bump would come and go depending on the week.
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Elana
Mine honestly just looked like i had a belly, i'm 20 weeks and its just now kinda startin to look more like a pregnancy belly but still not quit there yet. I also had a little bit of a belly before pregnancy tho
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Riley
31 Jan 2023

I’ll be 17 weeks at my next appointment. They told me at my last appointment at 12 weeks it was too early to hear the heartbeat and that it’s too dangerous,? should i be able to hear my baby’s heartbeat at my 17 week appointment?

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B
Brit
You should hear it now. When I first heard mine was 6w and Doppler was 10w
27 Mar 2024

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ryley
Yeah I heard my baby’s at 6 weeks so you definitely should be able to hear it. Maybe they just had trouble finding it at the last appointment because 12 weeks is not too early at all
27 Mar 2024

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K
Kayleigh
4 Jan 2023

Bump at 17 weeks.. I’ve been told you show faster/more during your first pregnancy ?

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Kashmirs Mommy ❤️
You show faster during the second one for sure but every women is different 💜
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Mattie
Faster after your first
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M
Mackenzi
18 Oct 2022

This is what a miracle looks like. I was 17 weeks pregnant at 17 i had a bad UTI and got sepsis. Ladies please listen to your body but i was healed from the icu in 2 weeks.. I thank god but most of all my babygirl Lanaya that was healthy the whole time 👣👶🏼🤍💞💞💞 #6yearsago #1stpregnancy

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Mayra
God is amazing mama he truly is all we have to do is pray and follow 🥰🥰🥰🥰 blessings your way
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Carltrese
Wow god bless you ❤️
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Yeliena
26 Apr 2022

I am currently 17 weeks and 2 days. Let me see all of your bump pics at around 17 weeks

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Yeliena
that's awesome. We are pregnancy twins lol
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Ebony
yes what's your due date..I'm Oct 1st
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Sam
5 Feb 2022

I'm 17 weeks pregnant and I still don't feel the baby moving. Is it early? Anybody here felt the movement at 17 weeks?

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Hannah
It’s normal to not feel them yet ! Everybody is different and it’s a lot harder to tell for first time moms I didn’t start feeling him kick until 18 weeks
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