Pregnancy week 17
Trimester 2 · Baby is about a pear
Fat begins to form under the skin and the skeleton hardens from cartilage to bone.
How your body may feel
- • Bump growth speeds up.
- • Vivid dreams are common.
- • Mild swelling in hands or feet at the end of the day.
Self-care this week
- • Sleep on your side, ideally the left, with a pillow between the knees.
- • Elevate feet when resting.
- • Report sudden facial or hand swelling immediately.
Milestone
Side-sleeping becomes the safest position from now.
Seek care urgently if you notice
- • Severe headache that will not clear, or blurred vision and flashing lights
- • Any vaginal bleeding, or fluid leaking from the vagina
- • Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet
- • Burning or painful urination, or fever
- • Reduced or absent baby movement once a pattern is established
Related resources
Related articles
Related FAQs
Related warning signs
- Heavy bleeding — Soaking a pad in under an hour, or passing large clots
- Severe headache that won't ease — Especially with blurred vision or sudden swelling
- Difficulty breathing — Breathlessness at rest or when lying down
- Chest pain or a racing heart — Pressure, tightness or fluttering that doesn't settle
Ask Nestora About This Week
Your Companion can explain week 17 in your own words — symptoms, nutrition, what to raise at your next visit.
Ask Nestora About This Week