My 17 Weeks Pregnant Belly Picture
Starting Weight: 123lbs
Current Weight: 126lbs
Total Weight Gain: 3lbs (it is normal to not have much weight gain up to this point)
Now let’s go over how my week went and what to expect…
Energy Level: My energy levels have been great this week. I am really enjoying these second trimester vibes.
Symptoms: I have felt a sharp pain in my lower pelvis once or twice. I attribute this to the stretching of my round ligaments.
Other Physical Changes: I am starting to see my belly grow which is really exciting for me.
I am also using skincare products by Tracie Martyn on my belly to try and prevent stretch marks. (Be sure to speak with your doctor if creams are okay for you to use).
The Tracie Martyn products aren’t cheap – but they are one of the cleanest, all-natural products I have found and you will notice the quality immediately.
Diet: I am still eating all of the same foods I did prior to becoming pregnant.
Diet Modifications: No modifications as of yet. Doing my best to consume 350 extra calories per day.
Food Aversions: No food aversions.
Food Cravings: I love pumpkin-flavored things. This week I decided to make pumpkin cookies using the pulp from my homemade almond milk. I don’t use sugar so when I tried the cookies, I realized how much sugar store-bought cookies actually have!
Workouts: I have continued to include both peloton rides and strength training in my workouts. Typically this consists of 3-5 sets of barbell-focused exercises like squats and deadlifts, and a ~20-minute aerobic cycling workout.
You can see examples of my entire pregnancy workout in my Prenatal Fitness Prescription.
Modifications to my workout: I am always listening to my body and making adjustments as necessary.
*Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider to learn if exercise is safe for you.*
Here is a short video of me squatting with a barbell at 17 weeks pregnant.
Other Related Questions
Do you show at 17 weeks pregnant?
You may or may not be showing at 17 weeks pregnant.
With that said, it is typically at 16-20 weeks that most pregnant women will begin to show.
My baby bump is becoming more noticeable now when it wasn’t very visible at all prior to this point.
Should I have a belly at 17 weeks pregnant?
You may or may not have a belly at 17 weeks. There are many factors that determine how early you will show.
If you are pregnant with your first baby, have a very active lifestyle, and have a normal or underweight BMI, it may take a little longer for you to show.
Remember, our bodies are all different so don’t compare yours to someone else’s.
Can you feel the baby through the stomach at 17 weeks?
It is very unlikely that you will feel the baby through your stomach at 17 weeks if this is your first pregnancy.
Typically you will feel fetal movement towards the middle of the second trimester.
With that said, if this is your second or third pregnancy you may start to feel the baby move for the first time a bit sooner. This is known as quickening.
How do you know if your baby is moving at 17 weeks?
Unfortunately, you may not know if your baby is moving at 17 weeks, as it may be too early for you to feel fetal kicks / fluttering.
The only way to see your baby moving at this stage of pregnancy is through an ultrasound.
Where is my baby at 17 weeks in my stomach?
Your baby is still in the lower abdomen at 17 weeks.
As your pregnancy grows the top of your uterus, known as your fundus can be measured starting at ~20 weeks.
At 20 weeks, the location of your fundus will be at your belly button.
Typically the baby remains in the lower part of the uterus surrounded by amniotic fluid throughout your pregnancy.
How do I know my baby is okay at 17 weeks?
Unfortunately, there is no way to know with 100% certainty that your baby is doing ok in the womb. However, if you are doing well overall, it is highly unlikely that your baby isn’t also doing well.
Be sure to speak with your doctor about any concerning symptoms you may have and always go to your antenatal appointments as scheduled.
What are common symptoms for 17 weeks?
In the early 2nd trimester you may be feeling nothing, or you may be experiencing one of the following pregnancy symptoms.
- Lower back pain (the extra weight of the uterus changes your center of gravity)
- Cramping (new aches and pains such as leg cramps)
- Weight gain (check out my blog post on pregnancy nutrition regarding healthy weight gain in pregnancy)
- Heart burn and indigestion (try avoiding fatty foods and instead eat small frequent meals)
- Breast growth (as you develop more milk ducts)
- Constipation (this is quite common, so make sure you are eating a diet rich in fiber and green leafy vegetables)
- Nasal congestion (aka stuffy nose)
- Bleeding gums (you should see your dentist in pregnancy as dental infections in pregnancy has been linked to preterm birth)
- Varicose veins (visible blood vessels in your lower legs)
- Round ligament pain (sharp pains in your lower pelvis due to the growing baby and hormonal changes)
- Increased shortness of breath with activity (your blood volume increases the most in the 2nd trimester, which may present as decreased blood pressure)
- Increased vaginal discharge
While this may sound like a lot, at least you don’t have any first trimester symptoms!
If there is ever any concern, you should make an appointment to speak with your health care provider.
At 17 weeks pregnant, are there any symptoms of boy or girl?
No matter what your grandmother tells you, there is no scientific evidence that the symptoms you experience correlate with the gender of the baby you are having.
No matter what, you always have a 50% chance of guessing right!
17 weeks pregnant is how many months?
At 17 weeks of pregnancy, you are entering your 5th month of pregnancy!
The third trimester is just around the corner!
What size is my baby at 17 weeks pregnant?
At 17 weeks pregnant your fetus is about the size of a pomegranate, and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand.
Your baby measures approximately 5 inches and weighs about 6 ounces.
Should my stomach feel hard at 17 weeks pregnant?
Your stomach should remain relatively soft throughout the day at 17 weeks.
Towards the end of the day, you may notice your stomach feels more firm which is completely normal.
You should not be experiencing severe pain in your abdomen during this time.
What can I expect to see at a 17 weeks pregnant ultrasound?
At 17 weeks, you should be getting ready to schedule your level II pregnancy ultrasound, also known as the anatomy scan.
This sonogram is typically performed at 18-22 weeks so that the anatomy of your baby can be checked thoroughly.
We will look at all of the organs including the brain, heart, liver, stomach, kidney, bladder, genitalia, etc to ensure they are growing properly.
During this week – several amazing things are happening to your baby which you may be able to see on the ultrasound scan.
- The umbilical cord and placenta are growing stronger to support the increased transport of oxygen and nutrients to your baby
- The finger and toenails are starting to grow
- Your baby may begin to swallow and yawn
- The eyelashes are starting to grow, and
- Your baby’s hair is beginning to come in
Other Things To Note
It is at ~18 weeks where you can have an amniocentesis. This procedure allows your doctor to analyze the cells of your baby to look for any chromosomal abnormalities.
The amniocentesis is a diagnostic test, not a screening test like the NIPT and the nuchal translucency ultrasound.
Your doctor will advise you if you are at high risk of having a baby with a genetic condition.
Final Words on The 17th Week of Pregnancy
The second trimester of pregnancy is a period of rapid growth for your baby.
Make sure you are eating a well-balanced healthy diet, taking your prenatal vitamins, drinking enough water, and engaging in some sort of exercise (if you are cleared to exercise).
Also, don’t forget that pregnancy weight gain is higher at this time.
Don’t fret over this- you are literally growing life inside of you!
Let’s embrace this change together!
Now I want to hear from you.
Are you 17 weeks pregnant?
Comment below and let me know how your week went- and check back in next week for my 18 week pregnancy update!
My Other Weekly Updates!
- My pregnancy bump at 14 weeks of gestation
- My pregnancy bump at 15 weeks of gestation
- My pregnancy bump at 16 weeks of gestation
Get Four Free Workouts To Help Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor & Heal Your Mommy Tummy!
Brittany Robles, MD, MPH, CPT
Brittany Robles is a full-time OBGYN physician, a NASM certified trainer, and a prenatal and postnatal fitness specialist. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in maternal health with a special interest in exercise and nutrition. She is also the co-author of The White Coat Trainer. Learn more about her here.
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