# 17 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Size, Symptoms & What to Expect | Clever Mum > 17 weeks pregnant — your baby is the size of a turnip. What's developing, what you might feel, and what to focus on this week. * [ Home ](/) * › [ Pregnancy ](/pregnancy/) * › [ Week by week ](/pregnancy/week/) * › Week 17 Second trimester # 17 weeks pregnant Your baby is about the size of a turnip [ CP ](/authors/parenting-desk/) By [ Clever Mum Parenting ](/authors/parenting-desk/) · Parenting guides Published 11 July 2026 Quick answer — What happens at 17 weeks pregnant? At 17 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a turnip, roughly 13cm and around 140g. Fat stores are beginning to develop under the skin, and the umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker. Who should skip this Skip this page if you need personal medical advice — it is general NHS-aligned information, not a substitute for your midwife. If your baby's movements slow or change, call your maternity unit, not a website. ## How big is the baby at 17 weeks pregnant? At 17 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a turnip, roughly 13cm and around 140g. 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. These are typical averages — your midwife's measurements are the ones that matter for your pregnancy. ## What might you feel at 17 weeks? Most people at 17 weeks notice some mix of the symptoms below — and plenty notice none of them. Your centre of gravity is shifting, which can affect balance. Some notice increased vaginal discharge (normal) and stronger Braxton Hicks awareness later on. None of this is a diagnosis; contact your midwife if something worries you. ### 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. ## What should you do at 17 weeks pregnant? The useful job this week is practical, not medical. Think about maternity clothes or bump bands — comfort matters more than buying lots. Borrowed and second-hand maternity wear is a smart saving. Pair it with the NHS week-by-week guide if you want a second description of the same stage. ### Week 17 checklist * Sort comfortable maternity basics — a bump band extends normal trousers for months * Browse second-hand maternity wear before buying new ## What else is useful at 17 weeks? Use the week page for size and symptoms; use the guides below for the decisions that actually sit in this window — pay, packing, car seats, labour signs. * [Due date calculator](/tools/due-date-calculator/) * [Trimester to-do list](/pregnancy/pregnancy-to-do-list-by-trimester/) * [Maternity leave and pay](/pregnancy/maternity-leave-and-pay-uk/) ## 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 * [ You and your baby at 4 to 40 weeks pregnant ](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/) — NHS * [ Your baby's movements ](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/your-babys-movements/) — NHS [← 16 weeks](/pregnancy/week/16/) [All weeks](/pregnancy/week/) [18 weeks →](/pregnancy/week/18/) 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 August 2026. ## Week 17 at a glance Trimester Second trimester Baby size turnip Approx length ~13cm Approx weight ~140g Weeks to go 23 (to 40) Work out your dates Not sure how many weeks you are? Our [due date calculator](/tools/due-date-calculator/) maps your weeks and trimester dates from your last period.