Pregnancy Week 16
- Home
- Pregnancy & Birth
- Stages of Pregnancy Week by Week
- 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.
How big is baby?
Your baby is now the size of an avocado—and she can make a fist and even suck her thumb.
Baby's Development
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 (a thick substance that makes the cord slippery so it can move freely around your baby). By the way, if you're having a girl, hundreds of thousands of eggs are forming in her ovaries this week -- your future grandchildren!
Baby Week 16
Close
Week 16 Ultrasound
In this closeup view of Baby's profile, you can see how his facial features are becoming more defined. Notice that the sonographer has measured the length of his nasal bone. This specialized measurement may be useful in screening for some genetic abnormalities.
Read MoreWatch Baby's Growth
Second Trimester Begins: Weeks 13 to 17 of Pregnancy
Mom's changing body
Got butterflies in your belly? It could very well be your baby kicking! Most moms-to-be experience this majorpregnancy milestone between their 16th and 20th weeks, but don't expect any big karate chops just yet. The first kicks, called quickening or flutters, are so subtle that they're often mistaken for stomach rumblings or indigestion -- and many first-timers may have a hard time detecting them initially.
Weekly Tip
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. Laxative pills or mineral oils aren't a good idea during pregnancy, but lots of fluids and fiber can help. To help remedy your stomach woes, it's a good idea to cut back on foods that make gas worse, such as beans, cabbage, and dairy products.
Pregnancy Confidential Podcast
Home, Hospital or Birthing Center? You Decide.
Decisions, decisions, decisions: pregnancy can feel a little full of them at times. But at Week 16 you're at the best part of your pregnancy, some say—the bit where the first trimester ickiness is in the rearview mirror and your barely-there bump is far from holding you back. If you're feeling full of energy and ready to organize the world, now might be a great time to consider your birthing options. While some of your options may be dictated by your type of provider, it's never too late to change your mind, or get educated on your choice of where you deliver.
Must-Reads
How to Host a Gender Reveal Party
The moment you learn the sex of your baby is magical. Share it with friends and family by hosting an epic reveal party--here's how.
Second Trimester Begins: Weeks 13 to 17 of Pregnancy
Here's to hoping you're no longer feeling nauseated or exhausted! Right now your baby's brain and eyes are making dramatic strides each day. Learn all about it.
Are You Getting Enough Calcium During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy and new motherhood are the most important times to be concerned about your calcium intake -- are you getting enough?
What Causes Lower Back Pain in Pregnancy?
Educating yourself about the causes of pregnancy-related lower back pain is the first step toward reconnecting with your body and finding relief.
Week 16 Ultrasound: What It Would Look Like
You might just feel your baby move when you're 16 weeks pregnant! Find out what's happening during this important stage of your journey.
Pregnancy Sex Tips: Fun Sex in Your Second Trimester
Will sex be different in your second trimester? Find out how to keep your sex life fun.