Pregnancy Calculator — Week 17: Baby Size, Symptoms & Due Date
You are in week 17 of a standard singleton pregnancy. Below is a complete evidence-based snapshot — baby's growth, your body, nutrition, exercise, red flags and a doctor visit checklist for this exact week.
Pregnancy Calculator
Enter the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). EDD = LMP + 280 days.
Baby at week 17
This week: Fat begins forming under skin. Toenails form. Fetus can hear muffled sounds. Sweat glands form.
Mother's body — what changes
In week 17 you may notice: Center of gravity shifts — clumsiness increases. Increased vaginal discharge. Sleep on left side.
Nutrition & supplements
Add ~340 kcal/day above pre-pregnancy baseline. Prioritise iron (27 mg/day), calcium (1000 mg), omega-3 DHA (200–300 mg) and 71 g protein. Continue prenatal vitamin.
Safe exercise
Continue 150 min/week. Avoid supine (flat-on-back) exercises after week 20 — they compress the vena cava. Swimming and prenatal Pilates are ideal now.
Doctor visit checklist — week 17
- ✓Sleep on left side to maximise placental blood flow
- ✓Blood pressure + weight + urine dipstick at every visit
- ✓Fetal heart tones from week 10–12 (Doppler)
Warning signs — call your provider immediately
- ⚠Heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in an hour)
- ⚠Severe abdominal pain that does not ease
- ⚠Fever above 38°C / 100.4°F
- ⚠Sudden gush of fluid (early rupture of membranes)
- ⚠Absent fetal movement for 12+ hours after 24 weeks
- ⚠Severe headache + visual disturbance (preeclampsia)
Week 17 — Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the Pregnancy Calculator at week 17?
The calculator uses standard gestational-age arithmetic (LMP + 280 days for standard; egg retrieval + 266 days for IVF day-5). Ultrasound crown-rump length between weeks 8–13 is more accurate (±5 days) than LMP — adjust EDD accordingly if the scan differs by more than 7 days.
What size is my baby at week 17?
Approximately the size of a turnip — length 13 cm and weight 140 g. These are median values from ACOG, NHS UK and Mayo Clinic references.
Which symptoms are normal in week 17?
Center of gravity shifts — clumsiness increases. Increased vaginal discharge. Sleep on left side. Every pregnancy is different — call your provider if anything on the warning-signs list appears.
Should I have an ultrasound at week 17?
Sleep on left side to maximise placental blood flow. Routine scan windows are: dating (10–13w), anatomy (18–22w), growth (28–32w).
How much weight should I gain by week 17?
Approximately 3.8 kg cumulative if you started at a normal BMI (IOM guideline). Underweight mothers gain more; overweight mothers less.
What is my EDD if today is week 17?
Your estimated due date is 23 weeks from today. Calculator adds (280 − 7 × 17) days to today's date.
Can I travel during week 17?
Second trimester (weeks 14–27) is the safest travel window. Wear compression stockings for flights over 4 hours.
Content aligned with ACOG, NHS UK and Mayo Clinic. Reviewed by Dr. Maria Rehman, MD (OB/GYN). This page is educational and does not replace personal medical advice — call your obstetrician for any concern.