At sixteen weeks, y'all're officially four months significant!

As your second trimester hums along, your infant'southward growing chop-chop, and yous might start seeing changes to your own torso, too — so if you lot haven't already gone shopping for maternity clothes, now's the fourth dimension.

Your Infant at Week 16

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What's going on within your ever-expanding belly this calendar week? For one thing, your little boxer is working up to fighting weight. Sure, her body still looks pretty thin and fragile — especially with only a translucent layer of skin covering those blood vessels and bones. And yes, she's only four to five inches long and weighs simply three ounces. Only your piddling flyweight is starting to gain some muscle mass. Her dorsum muscles are getting stronger, enabling her to straighten her head and neck even more than. Stronger muscles as well allow her to make some of her very first facial expressions. Was that a grin?

Talking almost that getting-more than-adorable-by-the-day confront, your baby's optics are facing fully forward and framed by a fringe of eyelashes and tiny eyebrows. And though her eyelids are still sealed shut and will stay that way for another 10 weeks or so, those tiny orbs will soon be able to perceive light…even though in that location's nothing to encounter. It's always night, later on all, in baby'southward hotel womb.

In other news, your picayune one's ticker is pumping around 25 quarts of blood per 24-hour interval through her growing body. That sounds like a lot of pumping action going on, but information technology's simply the beginning. By the time your baby is gear up for her debut, her heart will exist pumping 1,900 quarts a day!

At a Glance

Sensitive to calorie-free

Your baby's eyes are making small-scale side-to-side movements this calendar week and tin can perceive some lite, even though they're all the same closed.

The sucking reflex

That thumb-sucking addiction of many newborns may have already begun. At sixteen weeks, babies may be able to make sucking motions.

Strong heart

Babe-to-be'southward circulatory system is at present up and (beginning) to run. In fact, that petty heart tin pump virtually 25 quarts of blood a solar day.

xvi weeks pregnant is how many months?

If y'all're 16 weeks pregnant, y'all're in month iv of your pregnancy. Only 5 months left to go! Still have questions? Here'southward some more than information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my infant at 16 weeks?

Your babe now weighs in at a whopping iii to 4 ounces and is 4 to 5 inches in length.

The backbone and tiny muscles in your baby's back are gaining forcefulness, so she can straighten out that caput and neck even more.

Infant'south eyes are working

Thanks to those developing facial muscles, your baby is capable of making a few expressive frowns and squints, even at this early on phase.

Babe's beautiful eyes are finally working besides, making minor side-to-side movements and perceiving light, although the eyelids are still sealed. Peekaboo!

Baby's skin is transparent

Your fetus is becoming a looker as well — with a face that'due south starting to await more homo — merely a skinny looker, since there'due south no babe fat still.

And here'due south the skinny on baby pare: Information technology's practically translucent now, and then if you took a peek inside your uterus, you'd be able to come across your baby's blood vessels nether that thin pare.

Baby will presently hear your vocalization

Listen upward: Tiny basic in your fetus' ears are in identify, making it likely that baby will soon be able to hear your voice (or something like information technology) when you're speaking. Generally, babies fully develop the power to hear in the womb past 18 weeks of pregnancy.

In fact, studies take found that babies who hear a song while they're in the womb recognize the same tune when information technology's sung to them after they're born — so choose your lullabies with that in mind.

Your Trunk at Calendar week 16

baby size at 16 weeks pregnant

Rapid growth

At 16 weeks pregnant, your uterus is growing at near the same pace as your baby'south — aka pretty darn fast! — and information technology's getting to the signal where you may not be able to hibernate your pregnancy anymore, even if you lot wanted to.

Y'all're still also likely enjoying the relative bliss of trimester 2, particularly compared with trimester one, and will soon be able to come across more of your baby at your ultrasound in a few weeks.

How Big Are xvi-Calendar week Bumps?

Your 16 weeks pregnant belly

At sixteen weeks pregnant, you may now be at the stage where your bump clearly has a infant in there. Your weight gain and that of your baby have probable picked up considerably, and you lot'll both continue to grow. But all babe bumps at sixteen weeks are different — and normal. Believe it or not, some women still don't really show at 16 weeks meaning, while others have pronounced bumps.

The wide diverseness of babe bumps can be attributed to everything from a woman's size and shape to whether this is the first pregnancy or the second, third or quaternary.

Any you do, don't compare your 16 weeks significant belly to anyone else's and don't worry too much. It's all skilful! If you're nonetheless concerned, though, or have questions about how big or small you are, merely talk to your doctor for some reassurance.

Your pregnancy weight gain

It may exist hard to lookout yourself proceeds weight during pregnancy, even when you lot know there's a wonderful reason for information technology, but effort to cover your body's new shape and think of every pound you put on as a sign of good health for you and your baby.

Equally long as y'all eat correct during pregnancy, minimize junk and maximize nutrient-dumbo foods, and get regular do, you'll be fine in the long run. Remember, every adult female gains and loses weight during pregnancy at a different footstep.

One fashion to prove your changing shape some love this week and feel ameliorate most yourself in the process: Buy a garment or accessory that makes you feel pretty at your new size — and don't forget to buy underwear that fits!

Nasal congestion

Your uterus is not the only thing that'due south starting to neat. And so tin can the mucous membranes of your nose from all the pregnancy hormones circulating in your body, which are besides increasing blood flow. The result? Your olfactory organ probably already knows: pregnancy congestion and peradventure even nosebleeds.

Unfortunately, the stuffiness may just go worse as your pregnancy progresses, but your practitioner will probably non prescribe any medications or antihistamine nasal sprays to assistance clear things up — simply do ask if your physician recommends something else instead.

You can safely attempt saline sprays or nasal strips, specially if the congestion takes a plough for the truly uncomfortable. A humidifier in your room and a piddling petroleum jelly dabbed nether your olfactory organ may also help overcome the dryness associated with any congestion.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week xvi

Connected chest growth

Feeling overwhelmed by your e'er-growing breasts? Don't worry — afterwards giving birth and weaning, if y'all cull to breastfeed, they should return to about their pre-pregnancy size. Read More

Constipation

Besides those pregnancy hormones causing your alimentary canal to get sluggish, your expanding uterus is at present putting pressure on your bowels, which can back things up significantly. Try increasing the amount of liquid you lot beverage to keep everything moving along. Read More than

Increased vaginal discharge

Though vaginal belch is actually beneficial to your body — it protects the birth canal from infection — it may not feel comfortable. Don't be tempted to effort douches or feminine wipes, however, since they can irritate the genital tract and pb to infection. Read More

Varicose veins

One manner to minimize the swollen blood vessels in your legs? Keep your weight gain good for you and gradual, and stick inside the recommended range, considering extra weight increases the load on your circulatory organisation. Read More

Backaches

As your belly gets bigger, your lower dorsum curves more than usual to adjust the load, resulting in strained back muscles. Try to soothe these sore muscles by getting a prenatal massage, even from your partner, or taking a warm bath or shower. Read More

Haemorrhage gums

Have yous noticed that your gums are bleeding after brushing? That's because pregnancy hormones are causing gum inflammation, making them more susceptible to leaner, irritation and bleeding. While this is normal, it's important to go on flossing and brushing regularly. Also meet the dentist at to the lowest degree once during pregnancy to avoid glue disease, which tin can cause pregnancy complications if untreated. Read More than

Tips for Yous This Week

Cull soups

No thing the season, soups make a peachy midday meal. They can be as hearty every bit y'all want, pair well with others — we're looking at y'all, sandwiches — and are often full of protein and fiber.

Eat em' cold or eat em' hot, and make a double batch of soup then y'all can freeze some for another time.

Switch to cotton fiber underwear

An increment in vaginal discharge — known in medical-speak as leukorrhea — is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. It'southward also usually hither to stay while you're expecting, and the amount will likely increase as your pregnancy progresses.

Not to worry — this thin, white discharge is perfectly normal and salubrious. Simply continue the expanse clean and dry past bathing regularly and wearing breathable cotton underwear. If you're concerned nigh what y'all're seeing, phone call your md.

Use a humidifier

That abrasive stuffiness in your nose — and sometimes fifty-fifty the nosebleeds that accompany information technology, especially if you're blowing oftentimes — usually start around calendar week 16 of your pregnancy.

Unfortunately, they usually stick with you and sometimes get worse until the very cease. Try using a neti pot with bottled, distilled water and a humidifier to moisten your dry nose.

Go for skilful calories when you exercise

When y'all're pregnant, you get to eat an extra 100 to 200 calories for every half hour of strenuous do you do.

Merely cull those calories wisely by eating food-rich foods that won't undo the benefits of all your hard work.

Endeavour to pass up that chocolate bar you lot were nearly to reach for. (That energy bar probably isn't much better, either.) Instead, become for a smoothie or a granola-yogurt parfait, some apple tree slices smeared with almond or peanut butter, or whole grain crackers and cheese.

Manage dorsum pain

Backache got you down? Instead of nursing it on the sofa, endeavor doing some gentle yoga or Pilates. Both aid stretch and loosen the spine and release tension — which tin exist one of the main causes of back hurting.

Some other plus: Yoga and Pilates heave your overall free energy and mood levels, and so you're meliorate able to cope with the pregnancy pains that remain.

You can too do simple moves that strengthen your intestinal muscles, which will, in turn, reduce the amount of strain on your lower back. (But recollect, don't exercise on your dorsum now that you're well into your second trimester).

Go for greens

Make a addiction of having a salad or grilled veggies, or sauteéd leafy greens such as spinach, escarole or broccoli as a side.

Lentil, bean and vegetable soups are all smashing choices too, and same goes for tomato-based broths and chowders.

Prepare for the quad screen

The quad screen is a blood test that measures the levels of 4 substances produced past the fetus and the placenta, which are so passed into the mother's bloodstream.

The results tell y'all what the probability is that you're carrying a child with a chromosomal aberration or neural tube defect.

Quad screen results can be combined with those from the nuchal translucency (NT) screening or the noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) to give yous a more accurate cess.

From the What to Wait editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Expect When Y'all're Expecting. What to Wait follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic enquiry institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content authentic and upward-to-engagement by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

  • What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Nuchal Translucency Screening, December 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, The Quad Screen, October 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Back Pain During Pregnancy, Jan 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Vaginal Belch During Pregnancy (Leukorrhea), February 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Pregnancy-Safe and Family-Friendly Recipes, 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Stuffy Olfactory organ and Nosebleeds During Pregnancy, Apr 2021.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Fetal Development, June 2021.
  • Mayo Clinic, Fetal Development: The 2nd Trimester, June 2020.
  • Food and Drug Administration, Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe? January 2017.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, Prenatal Diagnosis Screening and Diagnostic Tools, June 2017.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Establish of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Health Tips for Pregnant Women, October 2019.
  • AboutKidsHealth, The Hospital for Sick Children, The 2d Trimester, September 2009.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Canadian Family Physician, Treating the Common Cold During Pregnancy, May 2008.

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