17 weeks pregnant: baby development and constipation

Big things are happening for you and your baby at 17 weeks pregnant, and if you haven’t already, you should start to feel your little one wriggling around in your womb¹.

Some symptoms from your first trimester might still be hanging around at 17 weeks pregnant, and it’s very common to be feeling constipated at this point in your pregnancy². But don’t worry – there are some things you can do to help keep things moving.

Here we’re covering everything you need to know at 17 weeks pregnant, including how you’re baby’s developing, and what remedies it’s safe to take for constipation while pregnant.

Reviewed by Sammy, a registered NHS midwife with a background in neonatal nursing, dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence based care to women and families throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.

17 weeks pregnant in months is just over 4. You still have a while to go in your second trimester – your third and final trimester won’t start until you’re 28 weeks pregnant. 

Your baby’s busy developing a host of new skills at 17 weeks pregnant – they can now move their eyes and open and close their mouth¹.

Around this point, many mums-to-be also feel their little one moving for the first time. These movements might be tricky to spot at first, as they can feel like fluttering, bubbling or rolling. But you’ll soon be able to feel every stretch and every kick, and might even feel your baby jump at loud noises!¹

Now your baby is starting to hear sounds from the outside world, you can talk and sing to them as a way to bond while they’re still tucked up safe in your bump³.

Your 17-week-old baby (or foetus) is now around 12cm long from their head to their bottom, which is about the size of a pomegranate¹. Their face is looking more baby-like as their eyebrows and eyelashes grow, and they’re also developing fingernails, toenails, and their very own unique fingerprints⁴.

Close to halfway through your pregnancy, you might be impatient to find out whether you’re expecting a little boy or a little girl.

You might have heard old wives' tales about how to tell from things like your baby’s heart rate or the position of your bump. But there’s no evidence to suggest that any of them are true⁵.

At 17 weeks pregnant, the pregnancy symptoms you might be experiencing will be the same whether you’re expecting a boy or a girl. Every pregnancy is different because of factors like your age and whether you’ve been pregnant before, and not the gender of your baby⁵. 

The only way to tell whether you’re having a boy or a girl is at your 20-week scan, and even then it can be difficult to tell (particularly if your baby’s feeling shy!)⁵.

As your baby grows, your womb will start to move upwards, which is when you’ll develop a more obvious baby bump. So if you haven’t already, now’s a good time to start telling people your exciting news – you won’t be able to keep it to yourself much longer!¹

If you’re experiencing any of these 17 weeks pregnant symptoms, you’re not alone - take a look. 

Back pain is very common in pregnancy due to⁶:

• The increasing weight of your growing bump and baby
• Hormonal changes making your pelvis feel weaker
• Tiredness and stress

Try to avoid standing for long periods and always wear comfortable shoes. Propping yourself up with a pillow while you’re sitting down can help too⁶.

Round ligament pain happens when the ligaments around your stomach stretch as your womb grows. They can feel like a sharp jabbing pain on one or both sides of your bump, but don’t worry – they’re not harmful to your baby⁷.

To help reduce round ligament pain, try to stand and sit up straight rather than arching your back, which can stretch your ligaments even more. You can also try bending at the hips before any sudden movements like coughing, sneezing or laughing, and squeezing your abdominal muscles when you’re changing positions⁷.

Hormonal changes combined with your growing baby pressing against your stomach can lead to indigestion or heartburn during pregnancy, with symptoms like⁸:

• A burning feeling in your chest
• Feeling bloated
• Burping
• Feeling or being sick

You might be able to control symptoms of indigestion by avoiding rich, spicy or fatty foods and not eating within 3 hours of going to bed. You can also try eating smaller meals more often to avoid feeling overly full⁸.

Pregnancy hormones can lead to a buildup of plaque, which can cause your gums to bleed. That means it’s even more important than usual to look after your teeth by⁹:

• Brushing twice a day (you can switch to a soft toothbrush to help with any discomfort)
• Flossing once a day
• Visiting a dentist at least once during your pregnancy (be sure to tell them that you’re pregnant).

Did you know?

You’re entitled to free dental treatment during your pregnancy and for the first 12 months after your baby is born¹⁰. Speak to your midwife for more information.

Constipation is extremely common during pregnancy.

Symptoms can include¹¹:

• Having difficulty pooing
• Passing very hard or small poos
• Stomach cramps

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make you constipated by causing poo to move through your gut more slowly. Plus, from your second trimester onwards, your growing baby can put pressure on your intestines, which can also make you constipated¹¹.

You might also experience constipation if you¹¹:

• Don’t drink enough water
• Don’t have enough fibre in your diet
• Take iron supplements

If you’re constipated and pregnant, there are a few things you can try to help get things moving again¹¹:

• Try to drink around 2 litres of water per day.
• Eat plenty of high-fibre foods every day, including fruit and veg, beans, lentils, and wholegrains.
• Stay active. Yoga, swimming and walking are all good, gentle activities for pregnancy.
• Avoid iron supplements unless your doctor or midwife says otherwise.
• Go to the toilet when you first feel the urge and give yourself plenty of time.

If you’ve tried to ease constipation naturally and you’re still struggling, you might be wondering what is safe to take for constipation while pregnant.

You should always speak to your GP before taking any remedies for constipation while pregnant. As well as being able to provide advice about lifestyle changes you can try, they may also prescribe a pregnancy-safe laxative if necessary to help ease constipation.^12,13