At 17 weeks pregnant, you are right in the thick of your second trimester. At this point, you’ve likely settled into your pregnancy; not only are some of the tougher symptoms of the first trimester in the rearview mirror, but chances are, you’re feeling more comfortable—both physically (bye-bye 24/7 nausea and exhaustion!) and emotionally (moods are generally more stable during the second trimester).1
And you’re not the only one experiencing changes! At week 17, your baby is continuing to grow and develop every day—which can be super exciting for parents-to-be.
So what, exactly, can you expect as you pass the 17-week mark? Here’s everything you need to know about this point of your pregnancy:
How You’re Feeling at 17 Weeks
Again, by week 17, some of the more challenging physical and emotional symptoms of your first trimester (like nausea, exhaustion, and mood swings) should be behind you—and because of that, chances are you’re feeling better and more energetic.
But that doesn’t mean that you’re not experiencing any side effects during week 17. Some pregnancy-related symptoms you might experience this week include:2
- Increased appetite. You’re growing a baby—and as your baby grows, your appetite will probably grow right along with it.
- Weight gain. As your baby grows (and as you take in more food to support the baby’s growth), you’ll continue to gain weight—and the weight gain really starts to accelerate during the second trimester.
- Belly growth. Around week 17, your belly will start to lengthen and appear more rounded (think classic baby bump!).3
- Stretch marks. Around this time, you might start to notice stretch marks on different parts of your body (like your belly, breasts, butt, or thighs)—which can be caused by hormonal changes and/or skin stretching.4
- Dizziness. When you’re pregnant, your body increases blood flow to your baby, which can lead to low blood pressure and feelings of dizziness.5
- Increased vaginal discharge. You might also notice increased vaginal discharge.
- Melasma. Melasma (also known as the “mask of pregnancy”) is a skin condition that leads to brown patches on the skin—and many women start to notice these skin changes by week 17.
While it’s not a guarantee, there is a possibility that you’ll get an opportunity to feel your baby move during week 17! Try standing up; at this stage of pregnancy, it can be easier to feel your uterus standing vs. laying down.
What’s New With Your Baby
Your baby is growing and changing every day—and that includes during week 17. Here’s what’s happening with your baby:
- At week 17, your baby is about 5 inches long—which is about the size of a pomegranate.
- At this point, your baby can move their eyes—but they’re not ready to open quite yet.
- The baby can also open and close their mouth and is starting to grow fingernails and develop fingerprints.
- At this point, your baby’s brain is continuing to develop rapidly—and by week 17, the baby's brain is regulating its heart.
By week 17, your baby is also starting to hear! While their hearing isn’t fully developed, they are starting to hear sounds, like your voice. Though sounds will be muffled, if there's a loud noise close by (like fireworks or a pan falling to the floor), don’t be surprised if you feel the baby move around in response.
Your Week 17 To-Do List
Want to make sure you’re taking all the necessary steps to keep you—and your baby—happy and healthy through week 17? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Get the nutrients you need through diet…
As mentioned, your appetite will increase around week 17, which means you’ll want to eat more. But it’s important to make sure that you’re eating more of the right foods—and getting the nutrients you and your baby need to thrive. In addition to eating foods rich in iron, folic acid and calcium (like leafy greens), try to also incorporate foods with omega-3 fatty acids (like walnuts), which support your baby’s brain development.
…and supplements
Your diet is a great place to get the nutrients you and your baby need. But to make sure you’re getting the right balance and amount of nutrients throughout your pregnancy, it’s also important to supplement.
To get the potent dose of nutrients you need to support yourself and your growing baby during week 17, try Perelel’s 2nd Trimester Prenatal Pack. This vitamin pack was designed by a team of leading OB-GYNs to deliver the optimal nutrition you need during your second trimester of your pregnancy (and that includes week 17!). That includes a prenatal vitamin, calcium, magnesium, and DHA + EPA (omega-3 fatty acids). Perelel’s 2nd Trimester Prenatal Pack:
- Supports relaxation
- Supports brain development
- Builds strong teeth and bones
- Provides optimal nutrition
If you’re not already taking prenatals and pregnancy supplements, you'll definitely want to get started by week 17—so make sure to find a way to work the 2nd Trimester Prenatal Pack into your daily wellness routine.
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Take care of your skin
As mentioned, melasma is common during pregnancy. But there are steps you can take to prevent it and/or treat it; all you have to do is switch up your skin care routine.
Look for skincare products that contain vitamin C, which lightens dark spots and brightens skin. You may also want to add in a gentle exfoliant, which will get rid of the dead cells on the surface of your skin, allowing your products to penetrate more deeply—which can help boost your products’ efficacy.
(Just remember that not all skincare products are safe for pregnancy—so make sure to talk to your doctor before you introduce any skincare products into your routine.)
Get ready for your anatomy scan
Most doctors will perform an ultrasound at some point between 18 and 22 weeks—also known as an anatomy scan.6 This scan allows the doctor to check on your baby’s physical development, look at organ growth, and make sure that everything looks healthy. It’s also often the appointment where people find out the sex of their baby!
If you haven’t already made your anatomy scan appointment, week 17 is a great time to do it. Also, if you haven’t decided whether you want to know the sex of your baby, you’ll want to decide before your anatomy scan—and let the doctor know. (If you don’t want to know, you don’t want the doctor to accidentally ruin the surprise!).
Next up: The foods to eat to nourish your body during the second trimester, according to a dietitian, plus how to manage pregnancy mood swings.
References:
- Rochester Regional Health. Emotional and Physical Changes During Pregnancy.
- Cleveland Clinic. Pregnancy: Second Trimester.
- American Pregnancy Association. 17 Weeks Pregnant.
- NHS. Week 17.
- What to Expect. Week 17.
- Cleveland Clinic. 20-Week Ultrasound (Anatomy Scan).
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel.
