Week 17 : your baby is getting stronger and more active! You may start feeling gentle flutters soon, a magical moment in pregnancy.

Mom’s Health Concerns
  • Weight gain: About 0.5 kg per week is expected
  • Increased blood flow may cause visible veins
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness due to changes in blood pressure
  • Possible constipation from slower digestion
  • Skin changes (pregnancy glow or dark patches)
Baby Activities
  • Your baby is about the size of a pomegranate 🍎 (~13 cm or 5 inches long) and weighs around 140 grams (5 oz).
  • Kicking and stretching more actively
  • Developing fingerprints on tiny fingers
  • Hearing external sounds (baby may respond to loud noises!)
  • Heart is now fully formed and beating twice as fast as yours
  • Practicing sucking and swallowing movements
Symptoms
  • Increased appetite as the baby grows
  • Round ligament pain due to the expanding uterus
  • Backaches from posture changes
  • Mild swelling in hands and feet
  • More noticeable baby bump
  • Stronger, faster-growing nails and hair
emotional changes
  • Feeling more connected to the baby
  • Mood swings may still happen but are less intense
  • Some moms feel anxious or excited about upcoming ultrasounds
  • Increased confidence and positivity as energy returns
When to Call the Doctor
  • Severe abdominal pain or cramping
  • Heavy bleeding or fluid leakage
  • Severe swelling in hands, feet, or face
  • Intense headaches or blurred vision
  • Reduced baby movement (if already felt before)
safe-actions
The Good
green-signal
green-signal
green-signal
green-signal
The Bad
red-signal
red-signal
red-signal
red-signal
Food to Eat
  • Protein-rich foods: Eggs, chicken, fish, tofu, beans
  • Calcium sources: Dairy, almonds, sesame seeds
  • Iron-rich foods: Leafy greens, lean red meat, fortified cereals
  • Vitamin A sources: Carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes
  • Omega-3 fatty acids: Walnuts, flaxseeds, salmon
Food To Avoid
  • Raw or undercooked seafood, meat, and eggs
  • Unpasteurized dairy products
  • Highly processed or junk food
  • Excess caffeine (limit to 200 mg/day)
  • Alcohol and tobacco