Second Trimester
Pregnancy Week 17
Your baby is about the size of a pear 🍐 — fat accumulating under skin.
🍐
Size comparison
≈ Pear
Length
13 cm
Weight
140 g
Milestone
Fat accumulating under skin
About 23 weeks to go until your due date (week 40).
Baby's development at week 17
The baby begins storing body fat, which will keep them warm and provide energy after birth. The skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone. Sweat glands are forming.
Sleep on your left side from now on to optimise blood flow to the placenta.
Common symptoms at week 17
Nasal congestionHeartburnOccasional dizziness
Eat more of
- ✓Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, flaxseed)
- ✓Calcium & Vitamin D (cheese, eggs, sunlight)
- ✓Protein (chicken, legumes, eggs)
- ✓Iron + Vitamin C together for absorption
- ✓Magnesium-rich foods (nuts, seeds, dark chocolate)
Foods to avoid
- ✕Alcohol
- ✕Raw/smoked seafood
- ✕High-mercury fish
- ✕Unpasteurised cheeses (brie, camembert)
- ✕Processed meats (deli cuts, hot dogs)
- ✕Excess sugar
Medically reviewed by First OPD Medical Team. Last reviewed on .
Based on average milestones from World Health Organization (WHO), ACOG, NHS UK. Educational only — not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
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