16Th week pregnancy development

16 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy

Your baby is growing quickly and about to have another growth spurt. You will probably have put on some weight over the past few weeks too.

What's happening in my body?

You may see a midwife around now, who will weigh you and discuss how you're getting on. You might get to hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time. You will also get the results of any blood tests that you had during your booking appointment.

You will probably have been offered a test for 3 infectious diseases: HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis. If an infection has been picked up, then your midwife or doctor will talk to you about the best ways to protect your health and reduce the risk of passing on the infection to your baby.

Your blood pressure will be checked and you will need to provide a urine sample. This will be checked for signs of protein that could show if you're at risk of developing a dangerous condition called pre-eclampsia.

Constipation

Constipation is common in early pregnancy. It's when you find it really hard to poo, it can make you feel bloated, sick and give you tummy ache.

Try to:

eat foods that are high in fibre, such as wholemeal bread, fruit and veg, beans and lentils
exercise regularly
drink lots of water
avoid iron supplements (but talk to your doctor or midwife before ditching any medication)

Read more about easing constipation in pregnancy on the NHS website.

Carbon monoxide alert

You can not see, smell or taste it – but carbon monoxide gas is a killer. You can come into contact with it through faulty or poorly ventilated cooking or heating appliances. If you've already got a carbon monoxide detector, then check that it's working.

There's usually a test button – if it does not beep, the battery may need replacing or you need a new detector. You can pick one up at most supermarkets.

You can also become exposed to this harmful gas through breathing in cigarette smoke.

2nd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 16 weeks)

Everyone's pregnancy is different but if you feel unwell and it's getting you down, speak to your doctor or midwife.

Your pregnancy symptoms may include:

swollen and bleeding gums (week 13's page has information about gum health)
pains on the side of your belly, caused by your expanding womb (known as 'round ligament pains')
headaches
nosebleeds
feeling bloated (read how to cope with bloating on week 10's page and constipation)
indigestion and heartburn (read about dealing with indigestion and heartburn on week 25's page)
sore breasts
leg cramps
feeling hot
dizziness
swollen hands and feet
urine infections
vaginal infections (week 15's page explains about how to treat vaginal infections)
darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
greasier, spotty skin
thicker and shinier hair

You may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as:

morning sickness (read about dealing with morning sickness on week 6's page)
weird pregnancy cravings (read about pregnancy cravings on week 5's page)
a heightened sense of smell
mood swings (week 8's page has information on mood swings)
a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)

Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or foetus, is around 11.6cm long from head to bottom, which is the size of an avocado. The weight is around 100g, which is the same as a medium bag of salad.

Your baby is starting to pull faces now, but any smiling or frowning will be completely random, as there's no muscle control yet. The nervous system continues to develop, and this enables your baby to start moving their arms and legs. Your baby's hands can form fists and they may start punching around inside you too. You might be able to feel your baby kicking from week 17 onwards.

Action stations

Many women will tell their employer after they've had their first pregnancy scan at around 12 weeks. Once you tell your employer, you have maternity rights and can attend antenatal appointments during paid work time. You can also ask for a risk assessment of your workplace to ensure that you're working in a safe environment.

It's a good time to tone up your pelvic floor muscles. Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze or cough. Get the muscles going by pretending that you're having a wee and then stopping the 'urine' midflow. Visit Tommy's for more ideas about pelvic floor exercises.

Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.

Even if you've had children before, they're still worth going to as you can meet other parents-to-be. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, you should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.

Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website. You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.

It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

There's no need to eat for 2. You don't need any extra calories until the third trimester, which starts in week 28. Try to eat healthily, with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.

You and your family should follow the government and NHS guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19):

read government guidance on how to stay safe from COVID-19

get NHS advice about COVID-19

use the NHS COVID-19 app for England and Wales – it's the fastest way of knowing when you've been exposed to COVID-19

To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:

NHS website

Breastfeeding Network

World Health Organization

16 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms and Baby Development

16 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

Your baby’s tiny muscles are getting stronger! Your little one’s head is erect this week, and coordinated arm and leg movements are now starting to happen. What else is new at 16 weeks? Your baby's ears are closer to reaching their final position, and it is possible that your baby can hear sounds at this point, or in the next few weeks. Don’t be shy about talking and singing to your little one. If you have an ultrasound at 16 weeks pregnant, you may be able to see your baby’s external genitalia. If the scan doesn’t show it clearly, it could still be a few more weeks before your healthcare provider is able to tell you whether you’re having a boy or girl — that’s if you choose to find out, of course! Want to share the news of your pregnancy with family and friends? Check out these fun pregnancy announcement card ideas to help you share the news with your nearest and dearest. You can even use them to help make the announcement on social media!

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The Size of the Fetus at 16 Weeks Pregnant

At 16 weeks, your fetus is now the size of an apple. Your little one could be more than 4 1/2 inches long, crown to rump, and weigh close to 4 ounces. It can be hard to imagine what your baby looks like, nestled inside the amniotic sac in your uterus. Take a look at the illustration below to give you a little glimpse.

Mom’s Body at 16 Weeks Pregnant

You’re now just four weeks away from the halfway point of your pregnancy. Are you getting enough rest and shut-eye? Most healthcare providers recommend you sleep on your side during pregnancy. Sleeping on your belly at 16 weeks pregnant might be a little uncomfortable, and experts believe that lying on your back can increase pressure on the vena cava — the blood vessel that returns blood to your heart. Sleeping on your left side can improve your circulation, allowing better blood flow to the fetus and to your uterus and kidneys. Try placing a pillow between your knees, and use another to support your abdomen to help improve your comfort; ask your healthcare provider if you’re still having trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position. Sometime between now and 20 weeks or even later, you may start to feel your baby move for the first time. This is called quickening. But don't worry if you can't sense anything just yet. Your little one is still very small, and every pregnancy is different. The motions your baby is making are also very small, so it can be difficult to tell if the sensations you're feeling are caused by a rumbling, hungry tummy, gas, the baby moving, or something else.

16 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 16 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

Skin changes. You might have heard about the “pregnancy glow,” and now it might be your turn to experience it! Increased blood volume in the blood vessels and pregnancy hormones causing more oil production can make pregnant skin look flushed and dewy. Although many women love the way their skin looks around this time, it’s also possible to develop dark spots called melasma (which usually fade after your baby is born) or to suffer from the occasional acne flare-up. To help curb breakouts, wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. You can also ask your doctor or dermatologist to recommend products that are safe to use during pregnancy.
Nosebleeds. At 16 weeks pregnant, nosebleeds can be an issue for some moms-to-be, and might be caused by increased circulation and higher levels of hormones. Even though nosebleeds during pregnancy are normal, this doesn’t make them any easier to deal with. You can keep pregnancy-related nosebleeds to a minimum by humidifying indoor air, moisturizing the edges of your nostrils with petroleum jelly, and gently clearing each nostril one at a time if you need to blow your nose.
Lower back pain. This is one of the most common symptoms that can strike when you're pregnant, and it's good to have some strategies to avoid or lessen the discomfort. For example, take warm baths or showers, stretch regularly to help your hard-working back muscles relax, pay attention to your posture, and wear low-heeled shoes. Exercise can also help ward off lower back pain, so read up on pregnancy exercise or ask your healthcare provider for guidance on what to do.
Dizziness. Feel like the room is spinning? Dizzy spells are common for some moms-to-be. Dizziness might be a side effect of hormones that cause a change in circulation during pregnancy. Try to stay hydrated, and avoid standing for longer periods of time. If you feel dizzy, try lying down on your side, and if you feel dizzy while exercising, contact your healthcare provider.

16 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

Being pregnant can be fun at this stage! The bothersome symptoms of early pregnancy may have disappeared, and you are likely to have more energy. Enjoy this time by staying moderately active with walks, a swim, or prenatal yoga.
Although every mom-to-be is unique, it’s not unusual for the bump to start showing by 16 weeks of pregnancy. As your bump gets bigger, consider treating yourself to some maternity clothes that might help you feel more comfortable. For a little fun, take our What’s Your Maternity Style quiz.
You might also want to get a professional bra fitting to make sure you’re wearing the correct size as your breasts grow. Look for wide straps, full coverage, and expandable hooks. If you’re exercising, you’ll probably also need supportive sports bras in larger sizes as your pregnancy progresses.
If you feel uncomfortable while you sleep, consider using extra pillows for added support wherever it’s needed, like between your knees and under your belly for support as you lie on your side. Special pregnancy pillows are an option too.
The second trimester is a great time to take a short babymoon. You might decide to go somewhere nearby for a weekend away, or you might be thinking of taking a flight. It’s always safest to check with your healthcare provider before you go on your trip, and if you’re flying check the airline regulations about flying when pregnant. For a little fun – or some vacation daydreaming – take our quiz: What Is Your Ideal Babymoon Destination?
If this is your second pregnancy, it’s worth considering how things might be a little different this time. Read more about how pregnancy symptoms can be different during a second pregnancy.

16 Weeks Pregnant: Ask Your Doctor

How’s your weight gain at 16 weeks pregnant? If you started your pregnancy at a healthy BMI (between 18.5 and 24.9), then from now until you deliver you’ll most likely need to add about a pound a week. If you’re not sure what to eat to gain a healthy amount of weight or how much weight you should be gaining, ask your healthcare provider for pointers and see whether you can consult with a nutritionist.
Do you recommend the MSAFP test? This simple blood test screens for birth defects like Down syndrome and spina bifida, and must be performed between weeks 16 and 18. All moms-to-be are offered screening tests for birth defects, but you may want to talk to your healthcare provider about any potential risks and benefits.
Do you recommend amniocentesis?

16 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

Research childcare options and costs for after your baby is born. You may plan to be a stay-at-home parent, or you may want to look into local childcare centers or in-home care providers.
If necessary, schedule any dental work for this trimester. If you haven’t had a regular dental checkup in the last six months, now is a good time to do so.
Plan or take a trip — a babymoon! — with your partner. Plan something relaxing, and make sure to have a prenatal checkup to get the OK from your healthcare provider before you travel.
As your bump starts to show you might like to download our bump to baby monthly milestone cards that you can strike a pose with a share on social media or just save as a keepsake.
If you’ve still got to announce your pregnancy to friends, family, or colleagues, check out these 30 fun pregnancy announcement ideas.
Sign up for even more pregnancy tips here:

Pregnancy calendar 16 weeks - Miracle Doctor multidisciplinary clinic in Moscow

The growth of the fetus at the 16th week of pregnancy reaches 17 centimeters, and the weight is about 120 grams, the perimeter of the skull is 10 centimeters, the chest circumference is 9.9 centimeters, and the abdominal cavity is 9.6 centimeters. The sacro-parietal size is 12 centimeters. The volume of amniotic fluid is about 250 milliliters. The child is actively moving. His limbs are increasingly lengthening, this happens with the simultaneous development of the muscular system. For the formation of bones, the fetus needs a lot of calcium, and if it is not enough in the woman's diet, calcium begins to be withdrawn from the mother's body. Regularly making flexion-extension movements in the elbow, knee and hip joints, the child trains the muscles and prepares for life outside the fetal waters.

This week, the fetus already knows how to hold the head straight. The facial muscles of the child are fully formed and he has a rich facial expression. However, grimaces, squinting, wrinkling of the forehead, smiling and sticking out of the tongue are involuntary. The skin of the baby is thin without fatty tissue. The development of hair follicles on the head and body, as well as the growth of the nail plates, continues. Pronounced external genitalia make it possible to determine the sex of the fetus with ultrasound. The girl has already had a descent of the ovaries from the abdominal cavity to the pelvic area.

The baby's kidneys continue to function actively. Urine is regularly excreted in the amniotic fluid. The transfer of part of the excretory function to the kidneys reduces the load on the placenta. At the 16th week of pregnancy, there is an increase in liver function. The bile it produces enters the intestines and will remain there until the first independent bowel movement, which will occur shortly after childbirth.

Although the elements of the ear responsible for receiving sound have not yet fully formed, the fetus responds to sound. With a loud sharp sound, he may flinch. Also, the child distinguishes low tones. Scientists suggest that this reaction is due to bone sensitivity.

At the 16th week of pregnancy, an improvement in the hematopoietic system is noted. Before this period, fetal hemoglobin was present in the blood of the fetus, which is characteristic only for the period of intrauterine development. This week, the formation of normal hemoglobin in the blood of the fetus begins.

The cardiovascular system works regularly. The pumping of blood through the body of the fetus is carried out by a four-chambered heart. Blood supplies organs and systems with oxygen and nutrients, and also removes carbon dioxide and metabolic products.

The work of the endocrine glands improves in the child. The adrenal glands have learned to produce hormones and now contribute to the overall hormonal background.

To ensure the correct metabolism and gas exchange processes between the mother and the fetus, the supply of both organisms with hormones, the mother-placenta-fetus system is intensively functioning.

At 16 weeks pregnant, the woman's uterus continues to expand, which is required to accommodate the growing fetus. In some women (more often with re-pregnancy) at this time, the mammary glands begin to work and colostrum is formed. The weight of the expectant mother, compared with the prenatal one, increased by 2.5-3 kilograms. The belly begins to round, the waist disappears, the pigmentation of the nipples and areola increases. "Guilty" in the appearance of age spots on the body and face hormonal processes occurring in the body of the mother.

The time has come for the next analysis and tests. The woman will have to take an AFP test to determine the amount of alpha-fetoprotein secreted by the fetus. This analysis helps to identify possible deviations in the development of the child. Elevated levels of AFP may signal a violation of the formation of the spinal cord ("spin bifida"). Decreased alpha-fetoprotein in combination with elevated hCG syndrome is a symptom of downism or hydrocephalus. In any case, a thorough examination of the fetus is prescribed to confirm these diseases. Screening for Down's syndrome requires a "triple" test, which includes the determination of AFP, hCG and estriol. The statistics are as follows: deviations from the norm in the "triple" test are found in 50 women out of 1000. And only in 1-2 cases, further studies confirm fetal malformations.

16th week of pregnancy: sensations, size and development of the fetus

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Your baby is almost 13 cm long and moves around a lot, alternating periods of activity and rest. This helps the growth of the baby's muscles and the formation of connections in the nervous system - between the brain, spinal cord and muscles.

By the 16th week of pregnancy, you have probably already visited the doctor a couple of times. First trimester screening includes specialized blood tests. For your health and the healthy development of your baby, it is important that the laboratory checks your blood type, its characteristics and immunity to certain diseases.

If you are at high risk for a child's chromosomal disease, you may be referred for a genetic test using a chorionic biopsy or amniocentesis (amniotic fluid sampling). Chorionic biopsy can be performed up to 12 weeks or later. Amniotic fluid analysis is usually performed between 14-16 weeks of gestation, but sometimes later. When conducting any of these tests, the doctor controls his actions with the help of ultrasound in order to understand exactly where the placenta and the baby are located in the uterus.

So, what should I do now?

The practical, mundane phase of your pregnancy begins. Your energy levels are back to normal and you can focus on something other than your tiredness.

It is time to study the legal aspects of maternity leave and calculate how you and your partner will live on the same salary and benefits you are entitled to.

If you are planning to send your child to kindergarten, it is time to start research on this issue. It may seem premature, but in some places you need to book well in advance.

Consider redecorating your home. Where will the nursery be? Will your child live with you, apart from you, with a brother or sister? All these issues require time to be discussed, considered and resolved.

Physical changes at 16 weeks of gestation

The fundus (top) of the uterus is approximately 16 cm from the pubic bone this week. Perhaps your tummy is already visible, and it is obvious to other people that you are pregnant.
You may find that your gums become sensitive and bleed a little when you brush your teeth. Use only brushes with soft bristles and change them regularly. Brush your teeth twice a day, use dental floss, don't forget to brush the back of your tongue - bacteria that promote decay breed there. Visit the dentist at least once during pregnancy. Gingivitis i.e. Inflammation of the gums is one of the risk factors for preterm birth, so oral hygiene is now more important than ever.
You may still have constipation and lazy bowel syndrome. Water, roughage, fruits, vegetables, grains, and exercise are all natural and effective ways to keep your bowels functioning properly.
You may have increased vaginal discharge, which is annoying but not necessarily a sign of infection. During pregnancy, the discharge is usually clear or milky white, but if it is not accompanied by itching or odor, there is no cause for concern. Cells that produce mucus protect the genitals from infections.
You may sometimes feel sharp pains in the sides of your abdomen. The ligaments and muscles that support your expanding uterus are now actively working, and sometimes they can react to overload. Try not to make sudden movements, do not stand for a long time, sit when possible. If your job doesn't allow this, talk to your supervisor and ask for adjustments to your job responsibilities.

Emotional changes this week

You may feel like your baby is taking over your body, not to mention your mind! Sometimes it can be difficult for you to concentrate on work and household chores. Do not think that you are the only woman with such problems - this is a common occurrence during pregnancy.
If your pregnancy was not desired, now you have most likely changed your mind. By the time the baby's movements begin to be felt, many women are already getting used to the fact that they will have a baby. Don't worry if you're not overwhelmed with motherly love. At this stage of pregnancy, it is only important that you take care of yourself and not expose your body to unnecessary risks that may affect your health or the health of your baby.
The birth of a child can change a woman's attitude towards her own parents. Most likely, you will remember your childhood, analyze what was good and bad in it, how it affected you. All these thoughts are completely normal and demonstrate the importance of raising children for a woman.

What happens to the baby at the sixteenth week of pregnancy

Your baby's eyes can move left and right. Although the eyelids are still closed, the muscles that control the eyes are already starting to work. The child squints his eyes when a bright light penetrates your abdominal wall and he sees a reddish glow.
Your baby is actively moving. But, if this is your first pregnancy, you still don't feel anything.
The baby opens its small mouth and moves its tiny lips. He often makes respiratory and swallowing movements, so the amniotic fluid constantly passes through his small body. There isn't much of it around - just a glass or a little more - but it's enough to protect the baby and provide him with his own warm bath.
Your baby has probably found the umbilical cord this week and is holding onto it. Don't worry that he will squeeze it so hard that he will restrict blood flow - before this happens, the baby will open his fist.