🤰 Second trimester
17 weeks pregnant
Your baby is about the size of a turnip
By Emma Whitfield · Pregnancy & Baby Writer
Your baby at 17 weeks
Fat stores are beginning to develop under the skin, and the umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker. The skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone.
Your body at 17 weeks
Your centre of gravity is shifting, which can affect balance. Some notice increased vaginal discharge (normal) and stronger Braxton Hicks awareness later on.
Common symptoms this week
- Shifting balance as the bump grows
- More vaginal discharge (normal if clear/white and not itchy)
- Warmer, sometimes flushed skin
Symptom lists are typical, never exhaustive — and having none of them is normal too.
Focus this week
Think about maternity clothes or bump bands — comfort matters more than buying lots. Borrowed and second-hand maternity wear is a smart saving.
Week 17 checklist
- Sort comfortable maternity basics — a bump band extends normal trousers for months
- Browse second-hand maternity wear before buying new
17 weeks pregnant: common questions
Is increased discharge normal in pregnancy?
Yes — thin, clear or milky discharge increases through pregnancy and is protective. See your midwife or GP if it becomes itchy, smelly, green/yellow, or watery enough that you suspect leaking waters — those need checking, and thrush in pregnancy has specific safe treatments.
How big is my baby at 17 weeks pregnant?
At 17 weeks, your baby is approximately the size of a turnip, about 13cm and around 140g. These are approximate averages — every baby grows at its own pace.
What's happening at 17 weeks pregnant?
Fat stores are beginning to develop under the skin, and the umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker. The skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone. For you: your centre of gravity is shifting, which can affect balance. some notice increased vaginal discharge (normal) and stronger braxton hicks awareness later on.
Which trimester is 17 weeks?
17 weeks pregnant is in the second trimester. The first trimester runs to the end of week 12, the second from weeks 13 to 26, and the third from week 27 to birth.
Sources & further reading
This is general information, not medical advice — every pregnancy is different. For anything that worries you, and for all your antenatal care, speak to your midwife or GP. If your baby's movements ever slow down or change, contact your maternity unit immediately, day or night. Reviewed July 2026.