Pregnancy week 17 - baby's development and your body

The fetus has plenty of space in the womb and can now hear sounds from both the mother and the outside world. Movement is becoming more intentional, and the body is starting to grow in proportion to the head. Fetal fat is also beginning to form.

Size:

The fetus is about 13 cm or 5.12 inches in size, from head to rump.

Weight:

Approximately 140 grams or 4.94 ounces.

Fetal development:

The fetus’s nervous system has developed enough to start making intentional movements, and it may also begin to establish a sleep cycle.

With plenty of space in the womb, the fetus moves its arms and legs. Its thin skin is covered with fine hairs called lanugo, along with developing fetal fat, both of which help retain warmth and protect the skin. The fetus now has eyelids, hands, and feet, and toenails are beginning to form.

Your body:

By now, many early pregnancy symptoms may have subsided, and most people experience fewer bothersome symptoms, though this can vary.

The risk of miscarriage is now low, and early pregnancy symptoms are often decreasing. Some may start feeling fetal movements around this time, though it’s also common for this to happen a bit later, typically around weeks 18–20.

If you’ve experienced nausea, it may have eased by now or will likely do so by week 20. However, for those who had stronger nausea, it may persist a bit longer.