You’re now four months pregnant! Congratulations! Here’s a look at what’s going on with you and your baby this week!
Your Body at 16 Weeks Pregnant
The top of your uterus is somewhere between 3 inches below your navel and can be easily distinguished from the rest of the abdomen.
Your caregiver may recommend a blood test known as a triple-screen or quad-screen this week. This test will measure levels of certain chemicals and proteins in your blood that may indicate there is a problem with the pregnancy. Don’t be alarmed however, only 3-5% of women test positive on these screenings and of these 3-5% not all of them truly have anything wrong!
At this point, your pants are probably getting tight and you may want to start thinking about maternity clothes! You may be sporting an obvious bump, but you might not be showing at all. Either is normal!
You may notice fluttering and bubble-like sensations from your baby’s movement this week. If you aren’t feeling these movements, don’t worry! Many women don’t feel anything at all until much later, however, you’re more likely to feel movement sooner if you’ve given birth previously!
Your blood volume increases throughout pregnancy, and by this point your body has about 20% more blood than normal! This blood helps provide adequate oxygenation to your body and your baby throughout pregnancy. This extra blood volume is well-known for causing swelling, stuffy noses and even nosebleeds!
Your Baby at 16 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby now measures between 4.3 and 4.6 inches long and weighs just shy of three ounces! Your baby is the size of a small avocado.
Your baby’s eyes are now located closer to the front of the head than they were previously and the ears are at, or near, their final position. Your baby’s head is now more erect than it was previously and your baby’s fingernails and toenails have begun to grow! Your baby’s hair is beginning to develop, but this development won’t increase until later! Some babies are born bald, while others are born needing a haircut!
Your baby’s circulatory system is beginning to grow and develop greatly during this week! By this point, your baby is pumping the equivalent of 25 quarts of blood through her little heart each and every day! This amount will increase as your baby continues to grow and develop!
Your baby’s legs are beginning to grow longer than the arms! Your baby is also emptying her bladder every 45-60 minutes now! By this week, you may even be able to tell the gender of your baby on ultrasound
References:
Curtis, Glade B., and D. F. Hawkins. Your Pregnancy Week by Week. Shaftesbury, Dorset: Element, 1996. Print.
“Pregnancy Week 23 – Weeks Pregnant.” Pregnancy Week by Week, a Guide for Mothers to Be! Web. 21 Oct. 2010.
Pregnancy Week – 23 Weeks Pregnant – Pregnancy Week by Week.” Women’s Healthcare Topics Is Your Source for Women’s Health, Beauty and Nutrition,pregnancy Health and Pregnancy Week by Week Guide. Web. 21 Oct. 2010.
