Week 17 of Pregnancy

You might notice some changes in your breasts around the 17 week mark. Your nipples may have enlarged and the skin around them may have darkened. You also might notice your veins are more prominent which is due to the extra blood flow and nothing to worry about. Your baby is now about the length of a pen and his or hers weight will have doubled in the last two weeks.

Changes in your body at Week 17 of Pregnancy

You may begin to feel your baby move around the 17th week of pregnancy as the baby's bones are hardening and he or she will be developing muscles and excising them. The first movements of a baby are known as quickening. Your uterus should be about 1½ to 2 inches below your belly button.

Common body changes you may notice at 17 weeks pregnant include:

• Obvious swelling in your lower abdomen
• Weight gain
• An increase in appetite
• Nosebleeds due to increased blood supply

Baby's Development at Week 17 of Pregnancy - Baby size: 19.0cm

During the 17th week of pregnancy your baby will start to produce what’s known as "brown fat". This fat is to help with heat production and metabolism later on in life.

Below are typical developments which occur during the 17th week of pregnancy:

• Cerebral cortex has started to mature
• Connections between the nerves and muscles are forming
• The circulatory and urinary systems are now all working
• Lanugo which is soft fine hair will cover your baby's shoulders, back, and temple.
• Baby's reflexes are quickly developing
• Myelin, which is a whity fat material begins to cover the nerve fibres of the spinal cord