17 weeks pregnant means 17+0 to 17+6 weeks from the first day of your last period: about 3 months and 28 days, as you move from the 4th into the 5th month. Some mothers start to notice the first movements around now, and the detailed (anomaly) scan is coming up.
17 weeks pregnant (17+0 to 17+6 weeks) is about 3 months and 28 days from the first day of your last period, the week you move from the 4th into the 5th month.
The NHS says your baby is now around 12 cm from head to bottom, roughly the size of a pomegranate. Your baby can move their eyes (the lids stay shut for now), react to loud noises and open and close their mouth. Fingernails are starting to grow and unique fingerprints are forming; the NHS notes that even identical twins have different fingerprints.
ACOG's summary for weeks 17 to 20 says the part of the brain that controls movement is fully formed, the digestive system is working, the ears, nose and lips can be recognised on ultrasound, the uterus and vagina start to form in girls, and lanugo starts to cover the body.
The placenta grows along with your baby; the NHS says it will weigh around 500 g by the end of pregnancy. As your womb rises up and out of your pelvis, your waist starts to disappear and you look more obviously pregnant.
First movements may feel like bubbling, fluttering or rolling. The NHS says babies may move more after meals, when you listen to loud music, when you rub your tummy and talk to them, or when you are relaxing.
Pink, red, purple or brown streaks (stretch marks) may appear on the bump, breasts, bottom and thighs; the NHS says they affect up to 8 in 10 women, are caused by hormones and stretching skin, and usually fade to silver after the birth. Around 1 in 5 women feel stressed or anxious in pregnancy; talk to your doctor if you feel sad or worried (NHS).
The detailed scan is coming up: the Turkish Ministry of Health guideline (2026) places the fetal anomaly scan and the second routine visit at 18 to 24 weeks. NICE NG201 schedules it at 18+0 to 20+6 weeks and ACOG at 18 to 22 weeks; the NHS says it is offered at around 18 to 20 weeks. If combined screening was not done, the Turkish Ministry of Health window for the triple/quad test is 16 to 20 weeks.
Cervical length: UpToDate says a cervix of 25 mm or less on vaginal ultrasound at 16 to 24 weeks is linked to a higher risk of spontaneous preterm birth; it can be measured during the anomaly scan at around 18 to 22 weeks. UpToDate says there is not enough evidence to require routine measurement in every pregnancy, but it is commonly done in high-risk pregnancies. The Turkish Ministry of Health guideline asks for this measurement in women who have had a previous preterm birth.
| Symptom | Usually | Seek care if |
|---|---|---|
| Not feeling movements yet | The NHS says movements start to be felt between 16 and 24 weeks, and after 20 weeks in a first pregnancy. | Tell your midwife or doctor if you have felt nothing by 24 weeks (NHS); the Turkish Ministry of Health guideline treats no movements after 20 weeks as a reason for referral. |
| Stretch marks | They affect up to 8 in 10 women and fade after the birth (NHS). | The NHS gives no separate warning about stretch marks; get help for unexplained itching that keeps getting worse (a Turkish Ministry of Health danger sign). |
| Anxiety or low mood | Around 1 in 5 pregnant women feel stressed or anxious (NHS). | If you feel sad or worried and are struggling to cope, tell your midwife or doctor (NHS). |
These are danger signs or emergency referral criteria in the Turkish Ministry of Health guideline; contact your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department without waiting. NICE recommends a hospital review for any unexplained bleeding after 13 weeks, and anti-D for women who are RhD negative and at risk of isoimmunisation. The NHS says to call immediately if your baby's movements change, without waiting until the next day, even in the middle of the night.
Days 119 to 125 from the first day of your last period, or about 3 months and 28 days. You are moving from the 4th into the 5th month.
Possibly. UpToDate notes that ultrasound generally shows the sex at 17 to 20 weeks. The NHS says the sonographer may be able to tell you at the scan around 18 to 20 weeks, but not every hospital's policy is to reveal it; say beforehand if you do not want to know.
Some mothers can. The ranges differ: the NHS week-by-week guide says kicks may be felt from week 17, its week 17 page says most women notice first movements at 18 to 24 weeks, and the NHS movements page gives 16 to 24 weeks. UpToDate says movements are usually noticed at 16 to 20 weeks.
According to the WHO fetal growth charts (2017), the median (50th percentile) estimated fetal weight at 17 weeks is 179 g, and the 10th to 90th percentile range is 155 to 207 g. These are reference values from ultrasound measurements in low-risk pregnancies in ten countries; the authors note differences between countries, with maternal factors and with fetal sex, and say the charts may need adjusting for local use. UpToDate adds that ultrasound weight estimates are generally not useful before about 24 weeks. The NHS gives a length of about 12 cm from head to bottom.
Last updated: . All sources have been confirmed with their latest versions. This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for a doctor's examination.