If you are in week 17, you probably already have a small baby bump and feel truly pregnant. Your baby continues to grow rapidly and is also gaining weight. Therefore, your diet is particularly important in this phase of pregnancy so that you and your baby get enough energy.
In our pregnancy calendar, we show you how your baby develops in the 17th week of pregnancy. You will find out how big or heavy it is and which fruit has a comparable size. We also explain how your body is changing now and which symptoms you might feel. We also show you why you should already take a look at the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep now.
How your baby develops in the 17th week of pregnancy
In week 17, the fetus's most important organs have already formed. It already looks like a real baby growing in leaps and bounds. Although the organs, gender, and nerve pathways are already laid out, your baby also goes through further development steps in this phase of pregnancy.
We summarize these for you:
The facial features are becoming more refined
Your baby's face is increasingly taking on human features. The contours are now almost completely formed. It already has a nose and the eyes are centered. This week, the unique facial features continue to refine.
Your baby reacts to sensory stimuli
In week 17, your baby can hear, smell, and taste. It already reacts to its environment and can even be startled and flinch at loud noises – this can also be seen on the ultrasound. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid loud concerts and events.
Your baby recognizes light & dark
Your baby's senses are developed enough that it perceives light and dark. So if you are sitting in the sun, your baby reacts to the light. You probably won't notice anything yet, but your baby perceives the changes.
Your baby is putting on a layer of fat
This week, your baby is putting on a layer of fat. This provides your baby with energy and thereby also boosts its metabolism. It also serves to produce body heat and protect your baby from the cold.
The umbilical cord is growing
Your baby is getting bigger and bigger and requires additional nutrients. Therefore, your umbilical cord is also growing rapidly. By the end of your pregnancy, it will measure around 50 to 60 cm and be 1.5 cm thick.
So exciting development steps are also taking place in your belly this week. Your baby's most important structures are already laid out and will continue to form and refine in the coming months.
Would you like to make the first preparations for your baby's arrival now? Then take a look at the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep. It enables your baby to have a restful sleep by moving slowly up and down. This makes it easier for your baby to fall asleep and sleep better through the night.
Size & weight in week 17
In the last few weeks, your baby has grown quickly and gained a lot of weight. This is also the case in week 17. Your baby now measures 13 to 17 cm and is thus as big as a pear. The weight is between 100 and 140 grams.
The placenta is currently the same size as your baby. So it also has the size of a pear that finds space in your belly. At birth, your baby will be about six times as heavy as the placenta.
Weight gain & belly: How your body changes in this phase of pregnancy
In week 17, not only your baby changes, but also your body. Your uterus is growing rapidly and taking up more and more space in your belly. As a result, your belly might already be visible to others. If you wish, you can buy your first maternity clothes. These have developed significantly in recent years and are now really chic.
Your belly is not only growing, but it is also changing its shape. Until now, your uterus lay in the small pelvis and could not be felt from the outside. In week 17, it shifts to the fundal height. Your gynecologist or midwife could now feel your uterus. Shortly before birth, your belly will lower again so that the baby slides deeper into the pelvis and can prepare for birth.
Do you and your partner also want to prepare for the birth and the time afterwards? With the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep, you offer your baby a cozy nest where it can sleep securely. It rocks in gentle up and down movements, which helps your baby fall asleep and sleep through the night particularly well.
These symptoms you will notice in the 17th week of pregnancy
For many expectant mothers, the second trimester is the most beautiful time of pregnancy. The nausea and fatigue should have subsided by now and your belly does not yet restrict you.
We summarize for you which symptoms are typical in week 17:
You have pregnancy brain
Many women are very forgetful during pregnancy. This is due to the numerous new impressions you are confronted with. However, this so-called pregnancy brain is only temporary.
You perceive the fetal movements
If you have already had a baby, you might already perceive your baby's movements. If it is your first pregnancy, you will have to be patient for a few more weeks until you feel the fetal movements as a light tickle in your belly.
Varicose veins develop
Many expectant mothers develop varicose veins on their legs. There is an increased amount of blood in your body. Processing this takes a lot out of your body.
You have hemorrhoids
Due to your larger blood volume, veins in the rectum can expand. Many women also suffer from hemorrhoids at the beginning of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if the symptoms become severe.
You feel a pulling in your abdomen
The growth of the uterus can lead to you feeling a slight pulling or stinging in your abdomen again now. The stretching of the round ligaments can also cause pain.
It may well be that you do not feel all of these symptoms, as every pregnancy is individual. Perhaps you have only very few complaints and can enjoy your pregnancy to the fullest.
Automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep: Healthy sleep promotes your baby's development
If you are 17 weeks pregnant, you are certainly already thinking about the time after the birth. You can hardly wait to hold your baby in your arms and get to know it. If you are looking for suitable furniture and cradles, take a look at the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep.
We have been working for 23 years to offer parents and babies the best possible cradle. Our automatic baby hammock is particularly innovative: You place your baby in the hammock. It is tightly enclosed and is reminded of the time in your belly. The motor rocks the hammock in gentle up and down movements, which helps your baby sleep better. It already knows the movements from your belly.
We have already been able to convince more than 140,000 parents of our automatic baby hammock. Osteopaths and midwives are also enthusiastic and recommend this special cradle. Feel free to take a look at our heia automatic baby hammock and the smarla automatic baby hammock.
