Mid-pregnancy approaching
This week your baby is around the size of a pear.
Mixed feelings as it becomes more real are a normal part of this stage.
The ligaments supporting your growing womb soften and stretch, which can strain your lower back and pelvis and cause brief pulling aches. Your waist also starts to disappear as the womb moves up out of the pelvis, so your shape can change quite quickly now. Resting when you can, and flat supportive shoes, help many people with the aches.
Your baby is moving and developing reflexes, though most people do not feel it yet at 17 weeks. First flutters are usually noticed between 16 and 24 weeks, and often later with a first baby. So not feeling movement now is exactly what to expect at this stage.
Gentle planning, only if you feel like it, can be reassuring.
The halfway mark is close, and many parents first notice movement in the coming weeks.
Services ParentSide defines for this stage. Each page explains what the service covers and which professionals are approved to provide it.
