Pregnancy Week 17
Pregnancy Week 17
What to expect on pregnancy week 17
Pregnancy Week 17 brings continued fetal growth and increasing activity. The fetus can move the eyes while they remain closed, open and close the mouth, move actively inside the uterus and continue developing tiny fingernails.
Pregnancy Week 17 Overview
Fat is now beginning to form underneath the baby's skin. The placenta and baby are roughly equal in size. The baby will now blink, swallow, and suck on its thumb. The heart is at a healthy pumping rate moving 25 quarts of blood per day.
Your uterus is moving upward and is now probably only a couple inches below your belly button. A 5 to 10 pound weight gain is normal. If you did not feel the baby moving around inside you in the previous week you are sure to by now.
Understanding Pregnancy Week 17
Pregnancy Week 17 is part of the second trimester and brings increasing fetal activity.
The NHS describes the fetus as approximately 12 centimeters from head to bottom, roughly comparable to a pomegranate.
The fetus can move the eyes even though they remain closed, react to loud sounds and open and close the mouth.
Mayo Clinic highlights toenail development and increasing activity, with rolling and flipping movements occurring inside the uterus.
Important Clarification About the Original Week 17 Guide
Your original Week 17 material has been preserved exactly above. Several older statements benefit from current medical context.
Fat Under the Skin Is More Prominent Later
The original guide says that fat is beginning to form underneath the skin during Week 17.
Current ACOG guidance places notable fat formation under the skin during Weeks 21 through 24. Later in pregnancy, increasing fat helps the fetal skin become smoother and eventually contributes to temperature regulation after birth.
At Week 17, the skin remains relatively thin and fetal development is still focused heavily on growth, movement, neurological development and organ maturation.
Placenta and Fetus Are Both Growing, but Not on a Fixed Equal-Size Schedule
The original material says that the placenta and baby are roughly equal in size.
The NHS confirms that the placenta continues getting bigger alongside the fetus and may weigh around 500 grams by the end of pregnancy.
However, reputable current Week 17 guidance does not establish a rule that the placenta and fetus must be exactly or approximately equal in size at this gestational week.
Blinking Is Not a Standard Week 17 Milestone
Current NHS guidance says that the eyes can move during Week 17 but remain closed.
ACOG places the ability of the eyelids to open and close during Weeks 25 through 28.
It is therefore better not to describe mature blinking as an expected Week 17 ability.
Thumb-Sucking Is Usually Highlighted Later
Swallowing and mouth movement are part of fetal development, but Mayo Clinic specifically highlights the developing sucking reflex and possible thumb-sucking around Week 21.
So although hand-to-mouth activity may occur earlier, thumb-sucking should not be presented as a guaranteed Week 17 milestone.
The “25 Quarts of Blood per Day” Claim Is Too Specific
The fetal heart is actively circulating blood during Week 17, but current ACOG, NHS and Mayo Clinic week-by-week guidance does not use a universal Week 17 figure of 25 quarts of blood per day.
The fetal cardiovascular system changes rapidly throughout pregnancy, and an exact daily volume depends on fetal size, cardiac output and gestational age.
How Big Is the Fetus at Pregnancy Week 17?
The fetus continues growing steadily during Week 17.
The NHS describes the fetus as approximately 12 centimeters long from head to bottom.
That is roughly comparable to the size of a pomegranate.
Fruit comparisons are only visual aids. Actual fetal size varies, and measurements obtained during an ultrasound should be interpreted in the clinical context of the pregnancy.
Fetal Movement During Pregnancy Week 17
Fetal movement becomes an increasingly interesting part of pregnancy during this stage.
Mayo Clinic describes a Week 17 fetus as becoming more active, including rolling and flipping movements.
The NHS says some pregnant people may begin noticing movement now, although many will not yet be able to identify exactly what the fetus is doing.
Early sensations may include:
Tiny movements can initially feel similar to bubbles inside the abdomen.
Some people describe early movement as a light butterfly-like flutter.
A subtle rolling sensation can gradually become recognizable as fetal movement.
Mayo Clinic notes that fetal hiccups may produce small jerking movements.
Should You Definitely Feel Movement by Week 17?
No. The original guide says that if movement was not felt during Week 16, you are sure to feel it by Week 17.
Current guidance does not support that guarantee.
The NHS states that fetal movement is usually first felt between 16 and 24 weeks.
For a first pregnancy, movement may not be noticed until after Week 20.
The NHS Week 17 guide itself notes that many people notice the first signs of movement between approximately 18 and 24 weeks.
Fingernail and Toenail Development at Week 17
Nail development continues during this stage.
The NHS Week 17 guide notes that the fingernails are starting to grow.
Mayo Clinic highlights Week 17 as a stage when toenails start developing.
The fingers and toes are already separated and continue developing along with the rest of the limbs.
Eye Development During Pregnancy Week 17
The fetal eyes continue developing during Week 17.
The NHS notes that the fetus can move the eyes while they remain closed.
This distinction is important because eye movement does not mean the fetus has mature vision or is routinely blinking at this stage.
Development of the eyes, eyelids and visual nervous system will continue for many more weeks.
Mouth, Swallowing and Sucking Development
The NHS notes that the fetus can open and close the mouth during Week 17.
Swallowing movements are already part of fetal development and help the digestive system practice important functions.
However, the mature sucking reflex continues developing later.
ACOG places development of the sucking reflex within the Weeks 21 through 24 period, while Mayo Clinic notes that thumb-sucking may become possible around Week 21.
Can the Fetus React to Sound at Week 17?
Hearing development begins during the second trimester.
The NHS Week 17 guide notes that the fetus can react to loud noises.
ACOG describes hearing as beginning to develop during Weeks 13 through 16 and notes that by Week 18 the fetus can hear sounds.
The auditory system is still developing, so sound perception at Week 17 should not be compared with hearing after birth.
Placenta Growth During Pregnancy Week 17
The placenta continues growing alongside the fetus.
It remains essential for transferring oxygen and nutrients and helping remove fetal waste products.
The NHS explains that by the end of pregnancy the placenta may weigh approximately 500 grams.
The fetus remains connected to the placenta through the umbilical cord.
The placenta helps oxygen reach the fetal circulation.
Nutrients pass through the placental interface to support growth.
Waste products are transferred toward the maternal circulation for removal.
The umbilical cord connects the fetal circulation with the placenta.
When Does Fat Begin Building Under the Fetal Skin?
Body fat eventually becomes very important for fetal growth, appearance and temperature regulation after birth.
However, current ACOG developmental guidance places notable fat formation under the skin during Weeks 21 through 24, rather than specifically identifying Week 17 as the beginning of this process.
Fat accumulation then increases substantially later in pregnancy.
At Week 17, the fetal body is still relatively lean and the skin remains much thinner than it will be at birth.
Fetal Heart and Circulation During Week 17
The fetal heart has been working for many weeks and continues pumping blood through the developing circulatory system.
As fetal size increases, cardiovascular output also changes.
However, a universal claim that every Week 17 fetal heart pumps exactly 25 quarts of blood each day is too specific to use as a standard developmental milestone.
Clinical assessment focuses on appropriate fetal cardiac activity, heart rate and anatomy rather than an online daily-volume estimate.
Pregnancy Week 17 Development Timeline
Rolling, flipping and other fetal movements continue inside the uterus.
Tiny fingernails continue developing on the fingers.
Mayo Clinic identifies Week 17 as a stage when toenail development begins.
The eyes can move while the eyelids remain closed.
Fetal mouth movements continue as neurological and muscular control develops.
The placenta expands while continuing to support the growing fetus.
Maternal Changes During Pregnancy Week 17
Your abdomen may be becoming noticeably more rounded as the uterus continues expanding upward and outward from the pelvis.
The NHS Week 17 guide notes that the waist may begin disappearing as the womb grows, making pregnancy increasingly visible.
Second-trimester symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, indigestion, heartburn, bloating, constipation, leg cramps and round-ligament discomfort.
Some people may also begin noticing their first fetal movements.
Where Is the Uterus at Pregnancy Week 17?
The uterus has expanded beyond the pelvis and continues moving upward as pregnancy progresses.
The original content describes the top of the uterus as a couple of inches below the belly button.
While the uterus is certainly rising toward the navel during the second trimester, exact fundal position varies and is not best described using a fixed Week 17 distance for everyone.
ACOG defines fundal height as the distance between the pubic bone and the top of the uterus and notes that clinicians may use it later in pregnancy to help monitor fetal growth.
How Much Weight Should You Gain by Pregnancy Week 17?
The original guide gives a universal Week 17 weight-gain range of 5 to 10 pounds.
Modern pregnancy guidance does not use one fixed Week 17 target for everyone.
ACOG explains that recommended pregnancy weight gain depends partly on your prepregnancy body mass index (BMI).
For someone who began pregnancy at a healthy BMI, ACOG notes that the first trimester may involve around 1 to 5 pounds of gain or sometimes no gain, followed by approximately one-half to one pound per week during the second and third trimesters.
People who began pregnancy underweight, overweight or with obesity, and those carrying twins, can have different recommended ranges.
Pregnancy is not generally the time to begin a restrictive weight-loss diet unless a qualified healthcare professional has given specific medical guidance.
What If You Still Have Not Felt Movement at Week 17?
Not feeling fetal movement at Week 17 can still fall completely within the expected range.
The NHS says first movements generally become noticeable between 16 and 24 weeks.
For a first pregnancy, movement may not be recognized until after Week 20.
Once fetal movements become established later in pregnancy, it is important to learn your baby's individual pattern rather than trying to meet a fixed number of kicks each day.
Possible Pregnancy Week 17 Symptoms
Your waist may become less defined as the uterus expands.
Headaches can continue during the second trimester.
Circulatory changes can contribute to occasional light-headedness.
Hormonal and digestive changes can contribute to reflux or indigestion.
Slower digestion can contribute to gas and abdominal fullness.
Leg cramps may occur during the second trimester.
Emotional Wellbeing During Pregnancy Week 17
Pregnancy can affect emotional wellbeing as well as physical health.
The NHS notes that around one in five women experience stress or anxiety during pregnancy.
Hormonal changes, health worries, family circumstances and preparing for parenthood can all contribute.
If anxiety, low mood or persistent worry is affecting everyday life, talk with your doctor, midwife or another appropriate healthcare professional.
Healthy Choices During Pregnancy Week 17
Eat a Balanced Diet
Continue eating a varied diet containing vegetables, fruits, protein foods, whole grains and other nutrient-rich choices.
There Is No Need to Eat for Two
Pregnancy increases nutritional requirements, but this does not mean doubling your food intake.
Stay Hydrated
Adequate fluids support general health and may also help with constipation.
Stay Active When Appropriate
The NHS recommends around 150 minutes of pregnancy-appropriate physical activity per week for many people, depending on individual medical circumstances.
Avoid Alcohol and Smoking
Continue avoiding alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs during pregnancy.
Follow Individual Medication Advice
Do not stop prescribed medication or change supplements without discussing the change with the healthcare professional responsible for your care.
Prenatal Care Around Pregnancy Week 17
Continue attending the prenatal appointments recommended by your maternity or obstetric team.
Routine visits can include measurements such as blood pressure, weight and fetal heart tones, depending on gestational age and your individual care plan.
Your healthcare team may also discuss previous screening results, symptoms, medications and the upcoming mid-pregnancy anatomy ultrasound.
What Might an Ultrasound Show at Pregnancy Week 17?
An ultrasound can show fetal movement, cardiac activity, the head, spine and developing limbs.
At this stage, many structures are increasingly recognizable, but Week 17 should not automatically be treated as the scheduled detailed anatomy scan.
The standard structural ultrasound is usually performed later in the second trimester according to the schedule used by your healthcare system.
Pregnancy Week 17 and Your Estimated Due Date
Pregnancy weeks are conventionally calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period.
Our Pregnancy Due Date Calculator can help estimate your expected delivery date using relevant pregnancy dating information.
A due date is an estimate rather than a guaranteed date of birth.
Clinical ultrasound dating and other pregnancy information may be used by your healthcare professional to confirm gestational age when appropriate.
What Happens After Pregnancy Week 17?
Pregnancy Week 18 brings continued growth and sensory development.
Mayo Clinic notes that the ears begin standing out more clearly from the sides of the head and the fetus may begin hearing sounds.
The digestive system is also increasingly active.
Some pregnant people may begin feeling the first clear fluttering movements around this stage, while others will feel them later.
Pregnancy Tools You May Find Useful
Estimate an expected delivery date using relevant pregnancy dating information.
Estimate the current gestational week using an appropriate pregnancy starting date.
Estimate a possible conception date or range while recognizing natural variation in reproductive timing.
See approximately how much estimated time remains until the expected due date.
When Professional Healthcare Guidance Is Important
Week-by-week pregnancy information describes typical developmental patterns but cannot assess an individual fetus or determine pregnancy wellbeing.
Seek professional care for heavy bleeding, significant abdominal pain, fainting, fever, severe vomiting, fluid leakage or other symptoms that worry you.
Do not rely on an online fetal heart rate or blood-pumping estimate to assess fetal health.
If you have never felt fetal movement by 24 weeks, current NHS guidance recommends contacting your midwife or maternity team.
Pregnancy Week 17 FAQs
What happens during Pregnancy Week 17?
Fetal activity increases, the eyes can move while remaining closed, the mouth opens and closes, fingernails continue growing and toenail development progresses.
How big is the fetus at 17 weeks?
The NHS describes the fetus as around 12 centimeters from head to bottom, approximately the size of a pomegranate.
Can I feel the baby move at Week 17?
You may begin feeling movement, but it is also normal not to. The usual window for first movement is approximately 16 to 24 weeks.
Should I definitely feel the baby by Week 17?
No. First movement can occur later, particularly during a first pregnancy, when it may not be noticed until after Week 20.
Is fat already forming under the skin at Week 17?
Subcutaneous fat becomes a more prominent milestone later. ACOG places notable fat formation beneath the skin within the Weeks 21 to 24 developmental period.
Can the fetus blink at Week 17?
The eyes can move while remaining closed, but mature eyelid opening and closing is a later developmental milestone.
Can the fetus suck its thumb at Week 17?
Mouth and swallowing movements occur, but Mayo Clinic highlights the developing sucking reflex and possible thumb-sucking around Week 21.
Are the fetus and placenta the same size at Week 17?
Both are growing, but current medical guidance does not establish a rule that they should be equal in size during Week 17.
Is gaining 5 to 10 pounds by Week 17 required?
No. Healthy weight gain varies according to prepregnancy BMI, pregnancy type and individual circumstances.
What happens during Pregnancy Week 18?
During Week 18, the ears become more prominent, hearing continues developing, the digestive system becomes increasingly active and fetal movement may become easier to recognize.
Medical References and Further Reading
The updated Week 17 information on this page uses established medical and public-health references to provide current context alongside the original material.
Mayo Clinic:
Fetal Development: The Second Trimester
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy
Next: Pregnancy Week 18
During Pregnancy Week 18, the ears become more prominent, hearing continues developing, the digestive system becomes increasingly active and fetal movements may become easier to recognize.
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