Pregnancy Week 17 vs Week 18

Complete comparison of baby development, mom's symptoms, and changes between these weeks

📊

Time Difference

1 week apart

🔄

Trimester

Both in 2nd trimester

Baby Size Comparison

Growth Progress

Week 17Turnip

Week 18Bell pepper

Your baby is approximately 44% through pregnancy

Week 17

📏

Length

5.1 inches

⚖️

Weight

5.9 ounces

🍎

Size Comparison

Turnip

Week 18

📏

Length

5.6 inches

⚖️

Weight

6.7 ounces

🍎

Size Comparison

Bell pepper

What Changes Between Week 17 and 18?

👶New Baby Developments

✓Baby yawns regularly, opening their mouth wide
✓Unique fingerprints are permanently in place on fingers and toes
✓If female, uterus and fallopian tubes are fully formed and in proper position
✓If male, external genitals are clearly visible on ultrasound
✓Myelin (protective nerve coating) begins forming around nerves for faster signal transmission

🤰New or Changing Symptoms

✓Increased energy levels continue through second trimester
✓Occasional dizziness from blood pressure changes when standing quickly
✓Possible leg cramps, especially at night
✓Rapidly growing belly that's noticeably larger
✓Backaches from shifting center of gravity and loosening ligaments

📈Key Changes Summary

Baby Growth: Your baby continues to grow rapidly, with organs developing and maturing each day.

Your Body: Your body adapts to support your growing baby with various physical and hormonal changes.

Baby Development Milestones

Week 17 Development

•Baby can move all joints freely including fingers, wrists, elbows, and knees
•Skeleton is transforming from soft cartilage to hardened bone tissue (ossification)
•Sweat glands are developing all over baby's body
•Hearing is developing rapidly - baby can hear your heartbeat, voice, and stomach gurgles
•Baby practices breathing movements regularly, inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid
•Umbilical cord is growing thicker and stronger

Week 18 Development

•Baby yawns regularly, opening their mouth wide
•Unique fingerprints are permanently in place on fingers and toes
•If female, uterus and fallopian tubes are fully formed and in proper position
•If male, external genitals are clearly visible on ultrasound
•Myelin (protective nerve coating) begins forming around nerves for faster signal transmission
•Ears stand out from the head and are in final position

Common Symptoms

Week 17 Symptoms

•Increased appetite as your body needs more calories for baby's rapid growth
•Baby movements become more noticeable and frequent throughout the day
•Possible heartburn and acid reflux as uterus pushes on stomach
•Vivid, strange dreams due to hormonal changes and pregnancy anxieties
•Increased sweating due to hormonal changes
•Possible nasal congestion and stuffiness

Week 18 Symptoms

•Increased energy levels continue through second trimester
•Occasional dizziness from blood pressure changes when standing quickly
•Possible leg cramps, especially at night
•Rapidly growing belly that's noticeably larger
•Backaches from shifting center of gravity and loosening ligaments
•Stronger, more frequent fetal movements

Nutrition Tips

Week 17 Nutrition

•Eat plenty of calcium (1000mg daily) through dairy, fortified plant milks, leafy greens, and almonds for bone development
•Include foods rich in phosphorus like poultry, fish, eggs, and whole grains which work with calcium
•Stay hydrated with 10-12 glasses of water daily
•Eat 5-6 small, frequent meals to manage heartburn and maintain energy
•Avoid lying down for 2-3 hours after eating to prevent heartburn
•Include vitamin D-rich foods or supplements (600 IU daily)

Week 18 Nutrition

•Eat iron-rich foods (27mg daily) like lean red meat, fortified cereals, beans, and spinach to prevent anemia
•Include folate-rich foods like lentils, chickpeas, asparagus, and fortified grains
•Stay hydrated with at least 10 glasses of water daily
•Eat potassium-rich foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, avocados, and oranges to prevent leg cramps
•Stretch before bed to reduce nighttime leg cramps
•Include magnesium-rich foods for muscle health