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