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Pregnancy Week 16
You've reached the end of your fourth month! Find out how your baby is developing in week 16 as well as how to deal with stretch marks, changes in your feet, and more.
Got butterflies in your belly? It could very well be your baby kicking! Most moms-to-be experience this major pregnancy milestone between their 16th and 20th weeks, but don't expect any big karate chops just yet.
Your baby's delicate skeleton continues to harden from rubbery cartilage to bone. Even so, his bones will remain somewhat flexible for an easier trip through the birth canal. The umbilical cord has fully matured with one vein and two arteries that are protected by Wharton's jelly.
Even if you didn't experience constipation in the first trimester, you could experience it now as the hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body including your gastrointestinal tract which slows down digestion and also leads to gas, bloating, and burping. In fact, constipation affects about half of all pregnant women.
Share and celebrate your pregnancy with other moms-to-be.
- The Inside Story: Your Baby in Week Sixteen
Get excited -- you will probably start to feel your baby move this week!
- Your Developing Baby: Week 16
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- Changes in the Vagina
You should expect some changes in the way your vagina looks and feels, as well as how often you want to have sex.
- Your Energy Returns
You will probably start to gain back a lot of your old energy this week, though you may still be working through complicated emotions c...
- Foot Changes
Find out how to deal with foot pain, swelling and other issues.
- Late Miscarriage
Learn what symptoms of miscarriage to look for in your second trimester. Though late miscarriages are rare, they do happen.
- Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are the natural result of your skin adjusting to your growing belly.
- Questioning Your Identity
It's natural to question who you are now and what will change once the baby arrives. Here are a few things to think about to prepare yo...
- Staying Motivated to Exercise
Staying on top of an exercise regimen is always tough, but it's especially important during your pregnancy. Here are a few methods for ...
- Caution with Herbal Teas
Herbal teas may not be the safest beverage choice while you're pregnant. Make sure you have the facts.
- Swimming and Water Exercise
If you're looking for a fun, safe pregnancy exercise, try swimming.
- Q&A: Fever and Pregnancy
Find out what to do if you develop a fever during your second trimester.
- Q&A: Grieving Miscarriage
A miscarriage is always an extremely painful experience. Here are a few suggestions for dealing with your loss.
- Q&A: Spotting and Miscarriage
Find out what's normal and what's not with spotting during pregnancy.
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