16 WEEKS PREGNANT
At 16 weeks, things are starting to get pretty exciting. From here on, get ready as you might feel the baby kick for the first time!
However, should you not feel any activity, do not panic since some women only feel Baby’s first kick after 18 weeks or more. Pay attention to the subtle feelings in your belly. One way to identify in the earlier stages of the little one’s kick is the sensation of gas bubbles or popcorn popping.
Over the next weeks you will feel the movement getting much stronger and you will be able to feel the kicks more frequently.
Also what’s exciting is that your baby will be able to hear your voice (he or she will be able to recognise it at birth), so talk to your baby to build that bond. You will also probably have your prenatal visit sometime this week, where you will get to hear your baby’s heartbeat.
16 WEEKS BABY SIZE
How big is baby at 16 weeks? Your baby is the size of an avocado, which is about 114mm (11.4cm).
The current weight of your baby is about 100grams (0.1kg).
16 WEEKS PREGNANT WEIGHT GAIN
This is the weight gain that you must achieve this week.
| Underweight | (BMI <18.5) | 0.44kg to 0.58kg |
| Normal weight | (BMI 18.5 to 24.9) | 0.39kg to 0.50kg |
| Overweight | (BMI 25 to 29.9) | 0.23kg to 0.33kg |
| Obese | (BMI ≥ 30) | 0.16kg to 0.25kg |
During the second trimester, you will need to eat an extra 340 calories a day.
16 WEEKS PREGNANT SYMPTOMS
It’s time to celebrate! Being the best time of your pregnancy, you’ll get to experience the positive symptoms of pregnancy. You heard it right! Positive symptoms! You will face less nausea, have fewer mood swings, and get the much raved about pregnancy glowing skin. Overall you will find yourself more energetic and positive.
Being 16 weeks pregnant, here are some signs and symptom that your body might be experiencing:
- Glowing skin. The pregnancy glow that you have heard so much about is caused by none other than the increased hormones during pregnancy. The hormones cause your glands to produce more oil, which makes your face more shiny (or glowy). On top of that, your body produces 50% more blood during pregnancy and this increase in blood flow and circulation which leads to a brighter and fuller looking face.
- Bigger breasts. You will find that your breasts have increased in size, as your body readies you for breast feeding by the end of the second trimester. Yes, early isn’t it?
- Backaches. Your back will be aching, a result of the pregnancy hormones. To help with the backache, do some low impact exercises and stretch your body regularly.
- Forgetfulness. They have even coined a term for this phenomenon – “pregnancy brain”. While the capacity of the brain is unaltered, a combination of surging hormone levels, a lack of sleep and new baby priorities may help explain the forgetfulness.
- Constipation. As your uterus starts to grow and press on your intestines, you might find yourself facing some problem when you do your number 2. Drink more water and eat fibre rich foods to get it moving along.
- Dry eyes. Called the dry-eye syndrome, it is caused by hormonal changes that changes the amount and type of tears your eyes produce. Do consult with your doctor for treatment options.
Did you know? Even though your baby is so tiny, at this stage it’s heart is pumping 23 litres of blood throughout it’s body!
16 WEEKS THE PREGNANT BELLY
Sometime starting from this week, you might be able to feel the kick of your baby! Now that’s exciting! However some women only get to feel the kick from 18 weeks onwards.
Pay attention to the subtle feelings, known as “quickening”, on your belly. Women have described the feelings of the first movements as being like that of popcorn popping, a tapping sensation or even like a goldfish swimming around.
If you are pregnant for the first time, you might not be able to tell the difference between that and belly rumblings, but you will get it in due time. Your build might also play a part on how fast you feel your baby kicking, thinner women tend to feel movement earlier.
Your pelvic area will also feel firmer and heavier thanks to the amniotic fluid in your uterus, but it plays an important role of cushioning your baby from any impact to the uterus.
The amniotic fluid also helps your baby to practise breathing and helps in the development of the lungs and respiratory system.
When your baby swallows this fluid, he or she is practising using and developing the digestive system. By the time your baby is full term, the total volume of amniotic fluid will be about 2.8 litres.
HOW IS MY BABY 16 WEEKS PREGNANT?
Your baby is now able to listen to your voice (which he or she is able to recognize at birth) thanks to tiny bones forming in the ears. Your baby is also growing hair, lashes, eyebrows and also toenails.
The little one’s heart is now pumping about 23 litres of blood daily through the body, and it will increase in the coming weeks.
Also in the next few weeks, your baby will double his or her weight and be much taller.
During your prenatal visit this week, you will probably have a urine test to check for signs of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. You will also be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat through the ultrasound! Now that’s going to be an exciting trip to the doctor’s!
WHAT TO DO AT 16 WEEKS PREGNANT
Reminders for the week:
- Schedule your week 20 prenatal doctor appointment
- Start thinking of possible baby names
- Plan and go for your babymoon
