Louise 
Pregnancy Week 17: What to Expect This Week
Welcome to Pregnancy Week 17—the week where your bump might start making regular appearances, your body is working overtime behind the scenes, and you may catch yourself Googling “is it normal to feel hungry all the time in pregnancy?” (Spoiler: it is.)
Let’s see what’s going on inside (and outside) this week.
Baby at Pregnancy Week 17
Your baby is now around 13cm long and weighs about 150g—roughly the size of a turnip, but much more active.
Here’s what baby is up to this week:
Fat is starting to form—which will help regulate temperature after birth
Their heartbeat is now strong enough to be picked up with a stethoscope
They’re moving loads, although you might not feel it just yet—especially in a first pregnancy
Joints are fully formed, and they’re busy practising their wiggles
And their skeleton is hardening, turning from cartilage to bone
They’re also becoming more sensitive to sound—so yes, they may start jumping at sudden noises or recognising your voice as a familiar comfort.
Your Symptoms at Pregnancy Week 17
You might be feeling a mix of “more energised” and “weirdly achey.” Some common symptoms this week:
Round ligament pain—those quick, sharp pains on one or both sides of your belly
Nasal congestion or snoring (pregnancy hormones strike again)
Mild swelling in hands or feet
Stretchy skin, especially on your bump, hips or chest
Increased appetite—your body is working hard, and it’s hungry!
More emotional—especially when paired with poor sleep or stress
What to Do at Pregnancy Week 17
This is a great week to pause and look after yourself before the third trimester planning kicks in.
Keep up with hydration and gentle movement—walking, swimming, pregnancy yoga
Honest Midwife Thoughts
At Pregnancy Week 17, you might be starting to feel a little more publicly pregnant—but not always completely comfortable with it. That’s really common.
This middle stretch is a good time to start tuning into your own instincts—about your body, your baby, and what kind of support feels right for you. You don’t have to know it all yet. But starting to gather useful knowledge (not random forums at 3am) can really help you feel calmer later on.
Feeling Ready? Join Us for a Class
You might want to start pencilling in:
All classes are taught live by midwives and packed with the honest, real-world info you actually need.
