17 weeks pregnant
At 17 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a pomegranate: around 13.0 cm crown to rump and 140 g. Fat stores begin to build, and the skeleton is turning from cartilage to bone.
Your baby at 17 weeks
Fat stores begin to build, and the skeleton is turning from cartilage to bone.
| Size | About the size of a pomegranate |
|---|---|
| Length | 13.0 cm crown to rump |
| Weight | 140 g |
Your baby is starting to build up stores of fat, which will help to keep it warm after birth. The skeleton is turning from soft cartilage into bone, and the umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger. Sweat glands are forming, and each fingertip now has its own unique pattern of swirls and lines.
How far along are you at 17 weeks?
At 17 weeks pregnant you are in the fourth month of your pregnancy and the second trimester. You have about 23 weeks to go until your due date. Doctors count pregnancy from the first day of your last period, not from conception, so at 17 weeks your baby has been growing for about 15 weeks. Not sure of your dates? Use our due date calculator.
Your body at 17 weeks
Many women feel their best in the second trimester. Appetite returns and your bump starts to show.
Common symptoms at 17 weeks
Every pregnancy is different, and you may have some, all or none of these.
- Increased appetite. Hunger is common now; healthy snacks help keep your energy steady.
- An itchy bump. Your skin is stretching. Moisturiser can soothe it.
- Stretch marks. Pink, red or purple lines may appear on your tummy, breasts or thighs.
- Dizziness. Your blood pressure is usually at its lowest in mid-pregnancy.
- Lower back pain. Your centre of gravity is shifting forward.
- Vivid dreams. Often about the baby, birth or nothing in particular.
Your checklist for week 17
- Look into antenatal classes and book one for the third trimester. They fill up quickly.
- Buy a few pieces of maternity clothing so you are comfortable.
- Moisturise your bump if it feels itchy.
- Keep up with daily pelvic floor exercises.
- Keep track of your weight at check-ups rather than weighing yourself every day.
Tip of the week: Healthy weight gain
There is no need to eat for two. In the first six months you need no extra calories, and in the last three months only about 200 extra a day, about one bowl of yoghurt with fruit or a slice of wholemeal toast with peanut butter. Women who start at a healthy weight usually gain about 11.5 to 16 kg in total. Our weight gain guide explains more.
For your partner
Energy often returns, so it's a good time to plan.
- Plan a short trip or day out
- Research your hospital and costs
- Start the baby-name shortlist
When to call your doctor at 17 weeks
Contact your doctor, midwife or maternity unit the same day if you have:
- Itching that is very intense, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet.
- Bleeding, fluid leaking or tummy pain.
Call your doctor or hospital straight away for bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, severe headache or vision changes.
Questions about 17 weeks pregnant
Can I prevent stretch marks?
Not completely. Whether you get them depends mostly on your genes and how quickly your skin stretches. Moisturisers and oils can soothe itching, but there is little evidence that they prevent stretch marks. Most fade to faint silvery lines within a year of the birth.
How much weight should I have gained by 17 weeks?
Most women gain relatively little in the first trimester, often 1 to 2 kg, and then around 0.4 to 0.5 kg a week from the second trimester if they started at a healthy weight. Your doctor will tell you if your weight gain needs attention.
Is it normal to feel hungry all the time?
Yes. Many women feel hungry in the second trimester. Choose filling snacks that give steady energy, such as nuts, yoghurt, fruit, roasted chana, boiled eggs or wholegrain crackers, rather than sweets and fried snacks.