Week 17 is here, and your baby is about the size of a orange—around 5 inches long and weighing about 5 ounces. They’re getting bigger, stronger, and even more interactive with their tiny world.
What’s Happening in Your Body?
Baby’s ears are fully developed, which means they can now hear muffled sounds like your heartbeat, breathing, and even your voice. They’re also working on their sucking and swallowing reflexes, practicing for life outside the womb.
A protective layer called vernix caseosa—a white, waxy coating—starts forming on baby’s skin to keep it safe in the amniotic fluid. Inside, their skeleton is shifting from soft cartilage to harder bone.
For you, your belly is definitely more noticeable now, and your center of gravity is changing—so don’t be surprised if your posture feels different.
Common Symptoms This Week
A growing bump that’s hard to hide
Round ligament pain—sharp twinges when you move quickly
Backaches as your body adjusts to carrying more weight
Increased appetite (baby’s growing fast!)
Stronger flutters—you may start feeling those first real kicks soon
Possible nasal congestion (pregnancy rhinitis is real!)
Many people find that the second trimester feels easier overall, but the physical changes are becoming more obvious.
What You Can Do This Week
Talk, sing, or play music for your baby—they can hear you now!
Keep up gentle movement, like prenatal yoga or swimming, to ease back and hip pain
Eat calcium-rich foods to support baby’s growing bones
Stay hydrated—it helps with swelling, headaches, and digestion
Wear supportive shoes if you’re on your feet a lot—your balance is shifting
And if you haven’t started tracking baby movements yet, no pressure—it’s still early. But you can start noting little flutters and changes in an app like Cubtale to remember these tiny firsts.
Real Talk
Week 17 can feel magical—knowing your baby can actually hear you makes the connection feel even stronger. You might catch yourself talking to them without realizing it.
It’s also a time when the reality of pregnancy starts sinking in. You’re showing more. People may start noticing and asking questions. You might feel excited—and also a little nervous about how much life is going to change.
Both feelings can live together. It doesn’t mean you’re not ready. It just means you’re human.
We’re not doctors—we’re just parents who’ve been through the late-night Google searches, the “is this normal?” moments, and the waiting game. Everything we share here comes from our own experiences and research, but it’s not medical advice.
If you ever have questions or concerns about your pregnancy, always check with your healthcare provider. And if you notice anything we missed or got wrong, we’d love to hear from you—drop us a message anytime.