Your baby at 17 weeks
Fat begins to build under the skin. The baby continues moving and developing.
The umbilical cord grows stronger and thicker as the pregnancy progresses.
TRIMESTER 2 · WEEK 17
17 weeks pregnant
Growing stronger.
What to expect at 17 weeks pregnant: your baby, your symptoms and this week’s reminders.
Symptoms at 17 weeks pregnant
- Your bump may be growing.
- Backache or heartburn may occur.
- You may notice changes in balance.
None of these symptoms is required. Symptoms alone cannot diagnose pregnancy or establish your baby’s wellbeing.
Support your comfort with suitable footwear and discuss persistent pain with your clinician.
Source for this week: NHS — Week 17
YOUR WEEK, YOUR JOURNEY
Explore another pregnancy week
Choose a week to explore your baby’s development and changes you may notice.
01 · FIRST TRIMESTERSmall beginnings
02 · SECOND TRIMESTERA growing connection
03 · THIRD TRIMESTERGetting closer to meeting
Sources and content note
This is source-based general information, not a substitute for a clinical assessment or individual care plan. The presence, absence or change of symptoms alone cannot establish pregnancy wellbeing. This content is not a personalised care plan reviewed by a healthcare professional.
This guide groups weeks 1–13 in the first trimester, 14–27 in the second, and 28 onwards in the third. Weeks refer to gestational age dated from the last menstrual period; clinical dating may differ.
- NHS — Pregnancy week by week
- ACOG — Fetal development and gestational age
- NHS — Your baby’s movements
- NHS — Pregnancy symptoms
Sources checked: 31 October 2026 · Illustrations are AI-generated conceptual drawings, not ultrasound or diagnostic images.