Pregnancy Diary: 17 & 18 Weeks Pregnant

Hello again. Time for my 17 and 18 weeks pregnant update! I’m really enjoying documenting these pregnancy diaries and they’ll be fun to read back on. This fortnight brought some exciting milestones, including what I think might be baby’s first kicks.

Updated April 2026 – Looking back at this pregnancy diary entry reminds me how magical those first kicks felt, even when I wasn’t entirely sure what I was feeling! If you’re experiencing similar symptoms at 17-18 weeks, know that every pregnancy is different.

Pregnancy Diary: 17 & 18 Weeks Pregnant – First Kicks & Symptoms

Pregnancy Symptoms at 17-18 Weeks
- Hip and Leg Pain: The Relaxin Effect
- Nausea and Sickness Update
Staying Active: Pregnancy Workouts at 18 Weeks
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions: 17-18 Weeks Pregnant
Read More from My Pregnancy Journey

Pregnancy Symptoms at 17-18 Weeks

I’m still struggling with water aversion – one of those odd pregnancy symptoms nobody warns you about. I can only manage fizzy drinks at the moment. Plain water sits in my stomach and makes me feel queasy. Occasionally, I can drink a small amount, and it’s fine initially, but afterwards, my belly protests. Even the smell and taste of water feel off.

Hip and Leg Pain: The Relaxin Effect

Something else that’s been bothering me – my hips and legs have been hurting at night. Apparently, this is due to a hormone called relaxin, which relaxes all your tendons and joints to make childbirth easier. A side effect of this is joint pain. I’m fine during the day; it just seems to be at night. Even when I sleep with my legs wrapped around my maternity pillow, I still get the aches.

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17 weeks today! Baby is side of a baby 🦔! . Did one of my WODs today, 4 rounds for time and it took 20:37. Not sure if I can improve my time as I get bigger! It was: 2 mins spin 20 6kg air squats 10 6kg snatch each side 20 straddle box step overs . I then did my 25 mins cardio on the bike and as you can see from my heart rate I took it steady. I spent most of it crying as I was watching pregnancy updates on YouTube as this is just what I do now. It’s better than a few weeks ago I guess when I would be watching them in the bath, crying while eating ice lollies and apples. Pregnancy has made me a mess. . Woop for @fitness_chef_pt tshirt 💃🏼

A post shared by Corinne | My Fitness Journey (@skinnedcartree) on Jun 11, 2020 at 2:52am PDT

Nausea and Sickness Update

On the sickness front, I’ve been slightly better. I still feel nauseous most of the time, but I’ve had a few blessed hours here and there where I’ve not felt any queasiness at all. It’s such a treat when it happens! Then I also have periods when the nausea is quite intense, though thankfully these last for hours rather than days now. The heat seems to make it worse, so on particularly hot days I’ve skipped working out to sit in front of the fan instead.

I’ve also been suffering from acid reflux. I had a few days where it was quite bad, especially at night when I lay down. I’ve been taking Gaviscon before bed, which seems to help. It’s really uncomfortable and isn’t something I’ve experienced before pregnancy. Luckily, it’s intermittent, so hopefully it stays that way.

Now for the exciting bit – I think I’ve felt kicks and movement! At first, I wasn’t sure. It felt like little bubbles along my knicker line, about two inches to the left of my belly button. I kept feeling it every so often, and then one day I felt a bit of a whoosh, like maybe the baby turned around or something. I was still doubtful because the sensations were very faint, and I’ve had a lot of digestion issues, so there’s a lot going on in that general area. I can’t wait to feel something more definite, though, as it’s really reassuring to feel movement. For now, I’m still questioning whether it’s actually baby or just my body playing tricks on me!

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18 weeks! . I pray this is the last week of nausea and smell aversions. I would really like to go into my kitchen and hallway without gipping please. Thanksssss. . Had a PT session and did a push session. Arms are dead now and I will probably ache tomorrow! That’s the second week of my current program kicked off! . Also got my new maternity leggings from @reebokwomenuk 🤰🏼I now have two pairs which I hope will be enough to get me through the next few months.

A post shared by Corinne | My Fitness Journey (@skinnedcartree) on Jun 18, 2020 at 4:14am PDT

Staying Active: Pregnancy Workouts at 18 Weeks

NEW: Workouts are going well. There are times I feel a bit nauseous, but I’m able to work through it. I’m still staying on track with my programme and getting cardio sessions in. I’ve gained quite a bit of weight during the period I was very sick and eating whatever I could keep down (more than typical pregnancy weight gain), so now I’m trying to get a handle on what I’m eating and choose healthier foods where possible.

Final Thoughts

Weeks 17 and 18 have been a mixed bag – the possible first kicks were magical, even though I’m not 100% certain that’s what they were! The ongoing nausea and new symptoms like hip pain and acid reflux are challenging, but I’m trying to stay positive and active. Every week feels like a milestone now, and I’m getting more excited (and nervous) about meeting this little one.

If you’re going through similar experiences, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Pregnancy can feel isolating sometimes, especially when you’re dealing with less glamorous symptoms!

Frequently Asked Questions: 17-18 Weeks Pregnant

What do first baby kicks feel like at 17 weeks?

For me, the first kicks felt like little bubbles or gentle flutters low down in my belly. They were very faint and easy to mistake for digestion, which is why I wasn’t entirely certain at first. Some people describe them as butterfly wings or popcorn popping.

Is hip pain normal at 17-18 weeks pregnant?

Yes, hip and leg pain at night is quite common in the second trimester. It’s caused by a hormone called relaxin, which loosens your joints and tendons in preparation for childbirth. A maternity pillow can help, though I still experienced discomfort even with one.

Can you still exercise at 18 weeks pregnant?

Yes, I continued my workout programme throughout this stage of pregnancy, including cardio and strength training. Always check with your midwife or doctor, but staying active during pregnancy is generally encouraged if you feel up to it.

Why do I hate drinking water during pregnancy?

Water aversion is a real pregnancy symptom, though it’s not talked about as much. For me, water tasted and smelled awful, and it sat heavily in my stomach. Fizzy drinks were more tolerable. If you’re experiencing this, try adding a slice of lemon or lime, or stick with whatever fluids you can manage.