16 weeks in months means you are in the 4th month of pregnancy. At 16 weeks pregnant the most exciting thing is to feel the flutter. Know what it means and much more as you read on.
Baby Development:
Your baby is now size of a avocado
The baby at 16 weeks is the size of an apple. Baby's urinary and circulatory systems are up and running. Your baby is pumping approximately 25 quarts of blood a day. Eyes and ears have found their permanent place on the face and have stopped migrating. The 16-week fetus has started making fists, moving its arms around and occasionally even starts sucking on its finger. A 16-week ultrasound may show this too. The baby starts to flutter, meaning, make movements that can be felt by you. If you are 16 weeks pregnant with twins, you might feel it definitively.
Body Changes
A 16 weeks pregnant belly might show a bump or not in some women based on the body type and history of previous pregnancies. Don't compare your 16 weeks pregnant bump to others as all women are unique and your time shall come soon. Your breasts might have grown full by now as your body is preparing them for lactation.
Find your due date/Calculating your due date:
Unless you've been tracking your ovulation, for a health practitioner to exactly know when you ovulated and conceived is hard to say. Most women ovulate about two weeks after the first day of their period. So, to calculate a standard timing, most health practitioners calculate the due date from the first day of your last menstrual period.
16 weeks pregnant symptoms:
Here are a few number of common symptoms a woman may notice throughout her Pregnancy Symptoms Week 16.- Inflamed and bleeding gums
- Increased libido
- Itchy skin due to stretching
- Increased appetite
- Headaches
- Stuffy nose
- Bloating and constipation
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Sore breasts
- Leg cramps
- Darkened facial skin called 'mask of pregnancy'
- Thicker and shinier hair
- A heightened sense of smell
- Mood swings
- Unusual moles and skin tags
Tips for You This Week
You can support your body to prepare for pregnancy by following the tips below:Begin sleeping on your left side. This is to improve blood circulation in your body because lying on the back could put pressure on vena cava, a blood vessel that returns blood to the heart. Avoid sitting for too long. Take prenatal vitamins. Wear loose fit breathable clothing to tackle the hot flushes. Invest in a good pair of sneakers for comfortable walking and avoiding falls. Stay away from skin or hair treatments involving harsh chemicals. Light cramps at 16 weeks pregnant might occur, but anything severe must be brought to doctors attention immediately. Take care of your teeth, visit a dentist if you are experiencing bleeding gums. Stay away from X-rays.