I would not say "normal" but not uncommon either. We were made to breed at younger ages. For most of human history teens were having children. Today's world is a lot different than the past. You need 2+ years extended schooling for a decent job. You need 5 years after school to build a savings. You need 1-5 years to find a suitable partner. Another 2 years for marriage and a house together. All this to say it is better to wait 😏. Kids will come when you're good and ready.

This does happen to most girls sooner or later. If you would like to help care for a baby, maybe you could find a daycare or child center near you to volunteer at.

I don't think it's "normal" at all. At your age, you should be having fun and not wishing for a baby; or giving any thought to a baby. I think you've been watching too many TV shows, and you've gotten the idea that a baby is warm and cuddly, and that you will automatically love it.

Don't try to blame your feelings on a surge in your hormones or on your age. By 17, a female's natural hormones have pretty much "leveled out".

You read about a lot of girls that have this urge until they have a baby and reality hits. No college, no parties with friends, no carefree youth.

I would say, yes, it is not far fetched that a teenager, who is absolutely clueless about what it takes to raise a child, would get baby fever. Because if she had a clue of the reality of what it is like to raise a baby, she would NEVER skip a birth control pill.

It seems fairy-tale-like to have a baby, but the honest truth of the matter is that it takes a great deal of maturity to have a child, it takes resources like a stable income and your own home, a mate to help you and a whole lot of patience.

Kids your age who fantasize about having a baby are absolutely clueless as to the reality of how a parent's life totally changes once a baby is in the picture. Most teens do not possess the mental capacity to have a child. After all, the human brain does not fully develop until the age of 25.

Also, when teens have a child, both mother and child end up growing in teeth at the same time. Babies grow in their first teeth as teens will continue to grow in their adult molars. Too funny.

is isnt all its cracked up to be

For some youngsters it is normal to want a baby. You seem sensible enough to examine the whole baby thing fully, and probably to conclude that you do not want a baby in your young life at the moment.

As long as you're not acting on your baby fever, you're fine.

Hormones cause crazy feelings.

Yes it's normal. Disregarding societal norms, a girl is at her most fertile when she is your age (+/-) so it's not unusual that you feel clucky.

Definitely normal, but having a child is a lot of work, I've known many people who take this instinctive feeling too impulsively, and they end up having a complicated scenario on their hands. It's good that you recognize that realistically it's not an obtainable goal at the moment, but never say never :) Until then, maybe try volunteering with kids, or look after your friends kids while they're away. Kids can be a lot of work, but a lot of fun too :) It's totally normal to have these feelings, and when you're ready, you'll be able to have child of your own. :)