17 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby Is More Active and Growing Fast

Now that you’re 17 weeks pregnant, your baby bump is likely becoming more visible as your uterus expands. Inside, your baby is busy, flipping and rolling, while their skeleton hardens from soft cartilage into bone.

This is a big week for growth and activity, bringing new changes to your body and exciting developments for your little one. Here’s what you can expect this week.

Your Baby's Milestones at Week 17

When you’re 17 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 13 cm long (5 in) and weighs approximately 140 to 150 g (or about 5 oz).

Your baby is flipping and rolling.

The position of your baby at 17 weeks pregnant changes since they have plenty of room to float and tumble around. According to the Mayo Clinic, your baby is becoming much more active.

While it might still be a little early to feel distinct kicks, you may notice these as faint flutters if you’ve been pregnant before. (Check out Week 16 to learn about first movements.) You might even feel tiny, rhythmic jerking movements, which are often caused by your baby hiccupping.

A protective coat is forming.

The Cleveland Clinic notes that while your baby’s skin is still very thin, they’ll start to put on fat this week to help them regulate their body temperature after birth. Their skin is also now covered with a waxy, whitish coating called vernix. This layer protects your baby’s delicate skin from constant contact with amniotic fluid.

Your baby senses and features are developing.

Your baby's eyebrows and eyelashes are also beginning to grow at this stage, and their eyes can now move, although the eyelids are still shut. They’re also practicing opening and closing their mouth and swallowing amniotic fluid.

Week 17 Symptoms and Your Changing Body

Expect backaches or dizziness as your uterus grows this week.

Your baby bump may become more noticeable now, as your uterus expands upward and outward. However, every person is different, so don't worry if your bump is bigger or smaller than someone else's.

Managing aches and pains

With your growing uterus, you might start experiencing lower back pain at 17 weeks pregnant, a common pregnancy symptom.

Similarly, you might begin to feel round ligament pain—sharp, jabbing pains or a dull ache in your lower abdomen or groin due to the stretching of ligaments. (See Week 13 to learn about lower back and round ligament pains.)

Changes in vaginal discharge

Your body is also producing more fluids, so it’s common to see an increase in vaginal discharge called leukorrhea. (You can read more about leukorrhea in Week 6.)

However, if you’re 17 weeks pregnant and spotting or notice any bleeding, you should call your doctor for guidance.

Lingering nausea and dizziness

You may also experience occasional vomiting at 17 weeks pregnant, though for many, morning sickness has subsided by now.

If you sometimes still feel dizzy or lightheaded, this may be due to increased pressure on your blood vessels from your growing uterus, explains the American Heart Association. However, if this is a new symptom or feels different, inform your doctor immediately.

Expected weight gain at 17 weeks

According to Medline Plus, most women typically gain about 1 to 2 kg (2 to 4 lbs.) in the first trimester and roughly 0.5 kg (1 lb.) per week throughout pregnancy. So, the typical total weight gain by 17 weeks pregnant is around 2.7 to 3.6 kg (6 to 8 lbs.) from your pre-pregnancy weight.

However, you may need to gain more if you’re underweight or gain less if you’re overweight. Your personal weight gain goal depends on your body mass index (BMI), and your doctor is the best guide.

What to Eat at 17 Weeks Pregnant

Fueling your body with the right nutrients is more important than ever to support your health and your baby's rapid development. You can follow the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s (FNRI-DOST) Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes (PDRI) for guidance.

Focus on incorporating these key elements into your daily meals:

• Boost your blood volume with iron-rich foods like monggo, malunggay, and lean meats.
• Build strong bones (yours and your baby’s) with calcium from yogurt, cheese, and fortified milk.
• Support your baby’s brain development with omega-3s found in fish like bangus or sardines.
• Fill your plate with a rainbow of fruits and vegetables for essential vitamins and minerals.
• Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, especially when it’s hot outside.

Explore how to combine these foods with these pregnancy meal plan ideas.

Helpful Tips for Your Second Trimester

Try side-sleeping for better blood flow, soothe itchy skin, and manage your stress when you’re 17 weeks pregnant.

As you settle into this stage of pregnancy, here are a few tips to help you feel your best.

Care for your skin

As your belly stretches, your skin can become dry and itchy. Start moisturizing your belly, hips, and thighs daily with a gentle, hydrating lotion to soothe the itchiness and potentially help with stretch marks.

Find a comfortable sleeping position

According to the Sleep Foundation, experts recommend sleeping on your left side as your bump grows bigger because it improves blood flow to your baby. To get a good night’s rest, learn more about pregnancy sleeping positions.

Pay attention to your emotional well-being

It's common to feel a mix of excitement, anxiety, and even moments of being overwhelmed. If you’re feeling more worried than excited, make it a priority to check in with yourself each day. This could be as simple as taking five minutes to sit quietly and breathe.

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Healthcare found that mindfulness programs can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy. While the review noted limitations like differences between the studies and the need for more research, the results showed significant improvements for all three conditions.

Strengthen intimacy with your partner

Sex while pregnant at 17 weeks is generally safe for low-risk pregnancies and can be a great way to stay connected. Your baby is protected by amniotic fluid, so sex won't cause harm. Many women also notice a higher sex drive during this trimester.

You can read more in Is It OK to Have Sex While Pregnant? for extra peace of mind. If you have specific concerns, check with your doctor.

Being 17 weeks pregnant is an exciting time as you and your baby continue to grow and change. Remember to listen to your body, enjoy this special phase, and don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider with any questions.

Are you feeling your baby’s movement or wondering if your symptoms are typical? Come and share your experience of being 17 weeks pregnant at the ParentTeam Moms and Dads Facebook group!