Week 17: Baby
Expert tip
Heartburn often increases from here — smaller meals, avoiding lying down after eating, and elevating the head of your bed all help.
Baby's development this week
- Skeleton hardening from cartilage to bone
- Fat stores beginning to form under skin
- Sweat glands developing
- Umbilical cord getting stronger and thicker
Science fact
The skeleton transforms from cartilage to bone (ossification) throughout pregnancy. The fontanelles — soft spots on the skull — remain open until 18 months after birth to allow brain growth.
Your symptoms this week
Heartburn increasing
eat smaller meals, avoid lying down for 2 hours after eating
Eat smaller meals, avoid lying down after eating, skip spicy/fatty foods. Antacids (Tums) are safe.
Nasal stuffiness and occasional nosebleeds continue
Stretch marks may begin on abdomen, breasts, or thighs
moisturize daily
Changes in your body
- Baby bump now clearly visible
- Heartburn may begin as uterus pushes on stomach
- Round ligament pain from stretching uterus
- Stuffy nose continues
Mental health this week
Partners often feel disconnected during pregnancy — especially before visible movement. Involving them in appointments and planning helps.
Nutrition focus
- Calcium and phosphorus for bone development — dairy, leafy greens, nuts
- Vitamin K (90mcg/day) essential for bone formation — kale, spinach, broccoli
- Avoid excessive licorice root — associated with preterm birth in high doses
Appointment / test
If Rh negative blood type: anti-D injection is given at 28 and 34 weeks — discuss timing with your midwife now.
This week's checklist
Research hypnobirthing — evidence shows it reduces epidural requests by 25%
Moisturize stretch mark areas twice daily (doesn
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