Size Uterus 17 Weeks: Tracking Baby’s Growth In Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an incredible journey where a woman's body undergoes numerous changes to support the growth of the baby. Many different organs in a female reproductive system contribute to pregnancy but the uterus has the most important role.

The uterus is where the fertilized egg implants and the baby grows during the nine-month pregnancy. The size of the uterus changes week by week as the baby grows in size [1]. Size uterus 17 weeks is a milestone in around the middle of the pregnancy term and it is a point of interest for many expecting mothers.

In this article, we will explore the role of the uterus in pregnancy, how it changes during pregnancy, and what features you may notice in a 17-week uterus. The article also includes some useful tips to support a healthy pregnancy.

The Role of the Uterus in Pregnancy

The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the pelvis. If you see an image of a female reproductive system, you can spot the uterus as a pear-shaped organ between the bladder and the rectum [2].

During pregnancy, the primary function of the uterus is to provide a safe and supportive environment for the developing baby. The roles of the uterus after fertilization involve:

1. Supports Implantation: Each menstrual cycle prepares the uterus for pregnancy by forming blood vessels and supplying nutrients to the uterine lining. These changes in the uterine lining facilitate the attachment of a fertilized egg into the uterus, a process called implantation [3].
2. Provides Nutrients: After the implantation, a temporary structure called a placenta develops between the uterus and the fetus. This structure is responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients from the mother's blood to the baby. The placenta also removes the waste from the baby's blood.
3. Offers Protection: The uterus creates a secure space for the baby. It cushions the baby from external shocks and maintains a stable environment, protecting the baby from harmful exposures.
4. Assists in Labor: The middle layer of the uterus is made up of smooth muscles. Near the end of pregnancy, this middle layer starts to contract to help deliver the baby during childbirth.

What is the Size of Uterus at 17 Weeks?

At 17 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus is about the size of a small cantaloupe [4]. By this time, the uterus has moved up from the pelvis and you may feel it just below the belly button. This growth is a natural part of pregnancy to accommodate the rapidly growing baby. A helpful way to monitor changes like the growth of the uterus during pregnancy is by using a comprehensive pregnancy calendar by weeks to track progress and stay informed about developmental milestones.

Here are some key points about the size uterus 17 weeks:

• The top of the uterus, known as the fundus, is approximately 4 to 5 inches — 10 to 13 cm — above the pubic bone.
• The increased size of the uterus may lead to a noticeable baby bump.
• As the uterus grows, some women may feel mild stretching or pulling sensations in the abdomen. This sensation is normal and is due to the stretching of ligaments supporting the uterus [5].

If you notice your uterus isn't increasing in size as expected for 17 weeks, talk to your doctor for a proper evaluation of the baby's health and development.

What is the Size of Uterus at 18 Weeks?

At 18 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus continues to grow and is now roughly the size of a sweet potato. By this stage, it sits slightly higher in the abdomen, closer to the level of the belly button.

However, you may not be able to differentiate uterus size at 18 weeks from the 17-week uterus. This change in uterus pregnant size by the 18th week typically reflects the baby’s rapid growth and the expanding amniotic fluid sac.

Here are some key points about the uterus at 18 weeks:

• The top of the uterus during this time can be felt about 1 to 2 inches — 2.5 to 5 cm — below the belly button.
• The baby bump becomes even more prominent by the end of the 18th week.
• You may continue to feel the pain in the abdomen due to the stretching of ligaments supporting the uterus [5].

Self-Care Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

Since your body undergoes many rapid changes to meet the pregnancy requirements, you need to care for your body more than normal to support the pregnancy.

Here are some tips that can help you support your health and the health of the baby during pregnancy:

1. Eat a Balanced Diet: Physical and hormonal changes during the pregnancy increase the nutrients and energy requirements of your body [6]. You can support the nutritional needs of the body by including plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and dairy in your meals.
2. Consider Prenatal Supplements: Studies show that even a balanced diet can cause nutritional gaps, which are even more common and serious during pregnancy [7]. Prenatal supplements are packed with essential nutrients and can help you avoid nutritional deficiencies, supporting healthy growth and development of the body.

3. Stay Hydrated: The fluid requirement of your body also increases significantly during pregnancy. One common reason is increased blood production and flow in the body. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain proper hydration and support increased blood flow to the uterus.
4. Exercise Safely: Gentle activities like walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga can strengthen your body and improve circulation. However, it is essential to consult your doctor before starting any exercise routine since intense exercise may harm the baby.
5. Avoid Harmful Substances: If you are an expectant mother, you must refrain from alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs. Such substances can harm your health and lead to pregnancy complications. Excessive caffeine intake is also not a healthy choice and you must consult your doctor for the safe amount.
6. Attend Prenatal Appointments: Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can help monitor the growth of the baby and identify issues early on. Doctors recommend visiting for check-ups every four weeks until the 28th week of pregnancy, every two to three weeks from the 28th to the 36th week, and every week from the 36th week until delivery.

The Bottom Line

The uterus has the most important role during pregnancy as it supports and protects the baby. The size of the uterus continues to change each week of the pregnancy and it helps monitor the baby's growth.

If you consider the size uterus 17 weeks, it expands significantly and sits just below the belly button during this time. You may not notice much difference in the 18th week from the 17th week since changes occur gradually. Having information about the expected changes in the uterus during pregnancy helps monitor the progress of the pregnancy and identify issues in a timely manner.

Resources Used

1. Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.). Conception and fetal development. Pregnancy Birth and Baby. https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/conception-and-fetal-development 
2. Ameer, M. A., Fagan, S. E., Sosa-Stanley, J. N., & Peterson, D. C. (2022b, December 6). Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis: uterus. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470297/ 
3. Cha, J., Sun, X., & Dey, S. K. (2012). Mechanisms of implantation: strategies for successful pregnancy. Nature Medicine, 18(12), 1754–1767. https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.3012 
4. Your pregnancy week by week: weeks 17-20. (2023, July 16). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/baby/your-pregnancy-week-by-week-weeks-17-20 
5. Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.-b). Round ligament pain. Pregnancy Birth and Baby. https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/round-ligament-pain 
6. Jouanne, M., Oddoux, S., Noël, A., & Voisin-Chiret, A. S. (2021b). Nutrient Requirements during Pregnancy and Lactation. Nutrients, 13(2), 692. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020692 
7. Ward, E. (2014). Addressing nutritional gaps with multivitamin and mineral supplements. Nutrition Journal, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-13-72