17 weeks pregnant

Your baby

Your baby can open and close their mouth, and fingernails and individual fingerprints are developing. The eyes can move behind closed eyelids. These small changes happen alongside continuing growth of the whole body. A fruit illustration makes the size easier to imagine, but does not measure the health or development of your individual baby.

Your body

A changing body, upcoming tests and thoughts about becoming a parent may bring new emotions. You can feel pleased about a pregnancy and still feel anxious, uncertain or low. Those feelings deserve attention if they persist, affect sleep or make daily life difficult. You do not have to compare your experience with someone else's before asking for support.

This week

Finding support for pregnancy worries

Choose one concern you would like help with and bring it to your next conversation with your care team. It may be uncertainty about a test, a previous pregnancy experience, relationships or practical pressures. Ask what mental-health or community support is available and whether you can speak privately if needed. If you already have a therapist or prescriber, discuss how care will be coordinated during pregnancy and after birth. Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby need immediate help, not a place on a future appointment list.