Pregnancy Week 16
Baby’s Growth During the 16th Week of Pregnancy
At about the size of an avocado, 4 1/2 inches long and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby’s weight and height will double in the next few weeks. But, this week, the spinal cord is gaining strength and your baby is more erect than previously. On the top of the head, a patterning of the scalp has begun but hair isn’t yet recognizable.
Those little peepers that have been sitting more to the side of your baby’s head have moved close to the front of the head now. Your baby’s ears are also close to their final position. And those tiny toes that you will soon be counting are growing nails.
On the inside, your baby’s circulatory system is working and the heart is pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day. As your baby continues to develop, the amount of blood pumping will also increase.
Body Changes in the 16th Week of Pregnancy
Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and that glowing skin are probably helping you to ease into pregnancy a little better. Your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel while the ligaments that support your uterus are thickening and stretching as it grows. Embrace your new body as you’re growing, though you may find it difficult to watch yourself put on the pregnancy pounds. Eat right by minimizing the junk and maximizing nutrient-rich foods.
It won’t be long before you begin to feel the subtle movements of your baby. Some women notice movements as early as 16 to 18 weeks while others don’t seem to feel movements until 20 or even 25 weeks. The earliest movements may feel like gas bubbles, popcorn, or butterfly flutters – and you may not be sure yet whether you’re feeling your baby kick or not. Generally women in their first pregnancies identify the baby movements later on in their pregnancies, while women in their second pregnancy (or more) will be able to identify which movements are the baby much sooner since they have experienced them already and know what it feels like. But over the next several weeks, these movements will become stronger and more frequent and you will eventually unmistakably know you are feeling your baby kicking inside your belly.
