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On Saturday, I took my sister-in-law to Primark in Central London, which was a nightmare. I don’t think I have ever been in such a claustrophobic situation before. I got elbowed and pushed in the belly so many times that after ten minutes I had to get out.
I am looking forward to my trip to North Cyprus next week. But, I am worried about the heat because I can’t even handle the heat in the UK. I feel so uncomfortable all the time, especially now that I’m experiencing the oh-so-embarrassing (and ever-so-annoying) discharge. I’ve also had some weight gain, which I read is pretty normal, so I guess I’ll have to grin and bear it. I figure investing in some discreet panty liners* should help me to feel less uncomfortable.
I am so glad I don’t have morning sickness anymore and I’m really excited about my second trimester 20-week scan and get those diagnostic tests done. I get to see my little baby boxer again dancing around and tugging at my umbilical cord. Hubby and I are so certain the little one is a boy that we’ve started thinking of boy names. We seem to keep arguing about it though and can never agree on names, but one thing we can agree on is that we definitely want to find out the sex of the baby.
Find out why it’s important to have a wellbeing scan around 16 – 20 weeks here!
My boobs are not achy anymore but they are definitely getting bigger. I need to go to a bra fitting because none of my bras fit anymore. I took my husband to Marks and Spencers and Mothercare for a bra fitting. M&S reckoned I was a 34E and Mothercare thought I was a 32F!!! Hmmm… I’m going to get a third opinion…
Hubby kept bringing me maternity swimsuits* to try on but the whole process got me really depressed. My pregnant belly just makes me look like I have eaten too many pies! So, I opted for a tummy control sexy red swimsuit* and a kaftan* to hide the bump.
Until my bump makes me look pregnant, I’m going to hide it with clever clothes, so I don’t just look fat.
Do you know your due date/ pregnancy week? Check out when you are due with our Due Date Calendar here!
I also bought some maternity bras* in a 36e (32 and 34 were too tight) and a sun hat*, as well as some support tights* for the plane ride. I told work that I was going to North Cyprus for two weeks and they told me that, as my temporary position was due to end in the middle of my holiday, it would probably be best to work up until the day before I go away. I agreed and decided not to think any more about my work situation. I had already applied for quite a few jobs before I knew I was going away, so I was scheduled to hear back from some of them when I got back from holiday. It’s hard to look for jobs when you’re pregnant at 17 weeks as you’re not really a desirable candidate, but there’s nothing I can do about that right now except wait for potential jobs to come up. I’ll deal with it all when I get back. Time to hit holiday mode!
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A fun fact – The baby is nearly 11cm long and weighs about 140g – about the size of a large apple!
Table of Contents
Your baby at 17 weeks
- Your baby is busy growing skin receptors – ‘tact corpuscles’ – that will allow them to feel.
- Your baby is occupied at the moment with sucking and swallowing – all in preparation for that first feed!
- Their eyelashes and eyebrows are starting to grow and their unique set of fingerprints are starting to form.
- Your baby’s eyes are still fused shut
- Your baby’s hearing is also maturing and may move more if you play music to them.
- Their head is much more in proportion to the body now and the bones are hardening and getting stronger by the day.
Are you thinking about getting pregnant or have been trying but not succeeding? Download our free starter pack to help kickstart your natural fertility plans here!
Your pregnancy week – signs and symptoms
17 weeks pregnant: bump
- This is the time for some pregnant women when their bump starts to show.
17 weeks pregnant: movement
- Have you started to feel flutters in your tummy yet? Around this time you might start to notice your baby moving around inside, although if you’re a first time mum, this may not happen for a few more weeks yet.
17 weeks pregnant: pressure in lower abdomen
- Are you experiencing itchy breasts and tummy? Are you feeling a certain weight on your bump now? Your skin is starting to stretch as your baby is growing, so make sure you moisturise your skin well* to prevent stretch marks
17 weeks pregnant: pictures
- Make sure you take pictures of your growing bump so you can show your baby when they’re older!
Other symptoms
- You may be experiencing a stuffy nose or even a nosebleed. This is down to increased blood flow and pregnancy hormones which cause the membranes inside your nose to swell up. If you find that nasal congestion is keeping you up at night, then you can purchase nose strips or humidifiers to help ease your nasal passage. It may also help to prop your head up with an extra pillow.
- Some interesting pregnancy symptoms include feeling a little off balance as your centre of gravity starts to change, thanks to your growing bump!
- You may start to experience leg cramps from the extra weight
- You may start to sweat more due to the extra blood in your system as well.
- Have you started to notice a line down the middle of your belly yet? This is called your linea nigra – if you don’t have it, don’t worry, not everyone gets it.
- You might also be experiencing weird dreams – this may be down to your hormones, but also you may be feeling nervous and in anticipation of your impending birth.
Your next steps
- If you haven’t done so already, think about exercises like pregnancy yoga and swimming, that will provide your body with support as it goes through all the changes.
- Watch you health and keep eating the right foods – fats are very important but too much can make you put on weight. Stick to good fats and steam or grill food.
- Your immune system has been suppressed to allow your body to grow your baby, so you may be more susceptible to colds. Don’t worry if you have the sniffles or tummy aches at 17 weeks pregnant as these don’t harm your baby. But, notify your doctor if you experience any other illnesses to make sure you have been prescribed the right medication because not all painkillers are suitable for pregnancy in week 17.
- Do you know what your maternity rights are if you’re working? Find out what you are entitled to and when. Check out Money Advice Service’s guide to Maternity Pay and Leave for more information.
- 17 weeks pregnant: ultrasound – Get ready for your 20-week scan. It’s coming up very soon. Will you find out your baby’s gender? Find out at your local hospital whether you need to attend the scan by yourself or if your partner is able to come with you
- Also make sure you’re up to date with all your screening tests
17 weeks pregnant in months
You are now 4 months and 1 week pregnant!
FAQ
What does 17 weeks pregnant look like?
Here are some pictures of what it looks like to be 17 weeks pregnant:
Can you be 17 weeks pregnant and not know?
Some women will experience enough signs to at least take a pregnancy test to check whether they are pregnant, like multiple missed periods, weight gain, fatigue, morning sickness and the growing bump. But some women don’t experience any symptoms and can still bleed every month (although this should be checked with a doctor once you confirm pregnancy). Or the symptoms can be so mild that a woman doesn’t notice it. Cryptic pregnancies are examples where women didn’t know they were pregnant until past 20 weeks or even when they give birth to their baby so it’s quite possible.
Is 17 weeks pregnant 5 months?
Not quite. It’s 4 months and 1 week, but you’re almost there!
Is 17 weeks pregnant a baby?
Is the foetus a baby at 17 weeks I assumed this question meant? Your foetus is around 12cm long from head to bottom and weighs around 150g, about the size of a pomegranate. The baby’s skin is all wrinkly at the moment so they need to fatten up quite a bit but they’re looking more and more like a baby at this point.
What trimester is 17 weeks pregnant?
You are now in the second trimester of pregnancy. The second trimester started at 13 weeks and ends at 26 weeks pregnant.
Is cramping at 17 weeks pregnant normal?
You may experience some niggles as your bump gets bigger, like pain on the side of your belly caused by your womb expanding. This is also known as round ligament pain. But if you’re experiencing very painful cramps then you should visit your doctor to rule out anything else, like premature labour.
Is bleeding at 17 weeks pregnant normal?
If you experience any bleeding at any stage in the pregnancy you should visit your healthcare professional straight away to rule out any problems with the baby, miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy for example. Some women bleed and go on to giving birth, but it’s worth checking to eliminate any problems.
What to eat at 17 weeks pregnant?
Keep up with your five to seven portions a day of fruit and vegetables and pack in your protein and dairy too to keep you and baby strong (great for growing bones and muscles). Also eat foods which are rich in healthy fats such as avocados, nuts and seeds, vegetable oil and oily fish (but no more than twice a week).
Note: These are just general ideas of how you and your baby are getting on. Don’t forget that every baby develops differently. If you are concerned about your baby’s development, please consult your doctor or midwife.
*Illustrations by Charlotte Watkins.
*Links marked with a (*) are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I may earn a small commission if you click through and buy, at no extra cost to you.
Are you pregnant? Grab your free pregnancy pack now – details inside!
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