17 weeks pregnant

What to expect this week

What's happening in week 17

At week 17 you might be starting to feel your growing baby moving about.

Your baby at week 17

Your little one is piling on the pounds now (well, not literally!) and is growing very quickly. They weigh around 150g and would fit in the palm of your hand.
Their little face looks entirely human, especially as their eyebrows and eyelashes have started to grow. Despite this, their eyelids are still fused shut, although they can move their eyes around.
Your baby’s heartbeat is now being regulated by the brain and whilst it might not be irregular, it’ll still be beating at between 140-150 beats per minute – that’s about twice as fast as yours!
Amazingly, your baby’s toes and fingers will form their own unique patterns this week as they develop the fingerprints that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

You at 17 weeks pregnant

You might be having 'is that wind or can I feel my baby moving?' dilemmas at 17 weeks. Some first-time mums will feel their baby wriggling around by about this stage (although for some it might come later). You will no doubt find your baby moving really exciting, and feel even more connection with them. So what will it feel like? Some mums-to-be describe it as bubbles in their tummy, or fluttering like a butterfly flying around.  Rest assured as your baby grows, those lovely descriptions will be replaced with a simple 'like kicking' turn of phrase!
You are probably feeling a bit more energetic and less tired at this point, and keeping healthy and active are as important as ever. One 'work out' your midwife might have flagged up to you will pay you long term dividends – pelvic floor exercises! Strengthening these muscles (which hold your bladder, womb and lower bowel in place) now will help to keep them working efficiently after birth and hopefully avoid the embarrassment of stress incontinence should you find yourself bouncing on a trampoline or having an uncontrollable fit of laughter!

What to think about in week 17

Sometimes we can’t help but to just endlessly worry about stuff, and in pregnancy, worrying can almost become a totally all encompassing emotion! As each week passes, you might find yourself getting over one concern only to focus on another – it is totally normal, but can cause you a lot of stress if it becomes to overwhelming.
Always speak to your midwife about your fears – some could be unique to you, but others will be things that play on the minds of all mums-to-be – your upcoming anomaly scan, for example, or anxieties about your delivery. Don't let worries spoil your pregnancy - do always seek reassurance (you will be taken seriously) if you have any thing playing on your mind.