pregnancy week 17

When it comes to week 17 in my pregnancy, it's those little things that count. Tiny pregnancy changes with both with my body and my growing baby are starting to take place, but I’m still able to go about my day-to-day life.

week 17

My bump is growing a bit every day, and so is my little one. Pregnancy symptoms at week 17 are still fairly subtle on the most part, so enjoy the honeymoon period.

  • From this week onwards I'll gain about one pound a week
  • You might be able to feel your baby fluttering around particularly if you’ve had a baby before
  • It's normal to feel a bit nervous but it's important to relax

me at week 17

My heart is beating for two this week, as it has a lot more blood to pump around my system. This means I might feel a bit breathless and sweaty. To make my heart race a little bit more, I start to feel my little one moving around in my tummy. It's a tiny feeling at first, a bit like a fluttering or bubbling sensation, so if you're a first time mum you might not catch on for a few weeks.

my baby at week 17

The umbilical cord is getting stronger and thicker to match my growing baby. They're about the size of my hand by now and weigh roughly the same as a turnip. As they’re starting to fatten up, their skin will begin to lose its wrinkly look. Their heart is being controlled by their own brain, so tiny heartbeats are a bit more regular. It's still beating at twice the speed of mine. My baby is also developing sweat glands this week, so they can keep nice and cool once they enter the world.

things to do in week 17

Even if you're bursting with energy, it's important to start taking it easy. Feeling stressed isn't great at the best of times, but when I’m pregnant; my baby needs me to be cool, calm and collected. If your friends ask "is there anything I can do?" don't be afraid to reply with "well, actually..." It's perfectly natural to start feeling a bit nervous at this stage in the pregnancy, as my hormones can start playing little tricks on me. If you feel really like your stress or emotional levels during pregnancy are abnormal, have a chat with your doctor.