WHAT'S GOING ON WITH BABY?

Your Baby at 16 Weeks Pregnant

Baby’s growth and size

This week your baby is just over 4.5 inches in length and weighs about 3.5 ounces, put on a whole ounce since last week! 

What’s new developmentally?

Baby makes some pretty significant developmental strides throughout the second trimester. The days of resembling a little tadpole are long gone!

Each and every day baby is beginning to resemble that sweet little bundle of love that you will meet on delivery day. All of baby’s vital organs are continuing to grow and mature so they will be ready to function once they are living life on the outside! 

Fun facts about your week 16 baby

  • Your baby's heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day

  • Baby's eyes can now see light

  • Baby's head is not more erect and in line with the body now

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MAMA?

Week 16 of Pregnancy

Week 16 pregnancy symptoms 

How should I be feeling at 16 weeks pregnant?

There’s a good chance you are feeling pretty great this week, but if you aren’t, please don’t hold it against me! With the unpleasant first trimester symptoms hopefully in your past and a little boost of energy, you can conquer the world, or maybe your baby registry, nursery, and some other nesting projects, over the next few weeks!

If you are a stomach or back sleeper it’s probably about time to consider a different sleeping position for the remainder of your pregnancy. You might hear your provider and other people recommend sleeping on your side in pregnancy. When you lie on your back, especially later in pregnancy, your heavy uterus may compress the blood vessel that returns blood to your heart.

 

If you happen to wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself on your back, do not panic, simply roll onto your side, and go back to dreamland.

 

Sleeping on your left side can improve your circulation which promotes better blood flow to baby, your uterus, and your kidneys. I actually have an Instagram post about sleeping on your back in pregnancy, check it out here!

Uterus size at 16 weeks

Curious how big your uterus is at 16 weeks? Currently, your uterus weighs about around 8 ounces (or half a pound) and can probably be felt about 3-4 inches below your belly button.

 

For a reference point, the uterus is about the size of an orange prior to pregnancy. Around 12 weeks of pregnancy you can expect it to be about the size of a grapefruit as it starts to make its way up and out of our pelvis.

 

During your second trimester, your uterus will grow to the size of a papaya, and it will no longer be tucked down low in your pelvis. As your uterus grows and expands, it will continue to come up and out of your pelvis, giving you that baby “bump” that eventually turns into a watermelon by the end!

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?

More Week 16 Info

16 weeks pregnant ultrasound

If you have had adequate prenatal care from the beginning of your pregnancy, you should have had a first trimester ultrasound. If you opted to have the Nuchal Translucency screening done to assess for potential chromosomal anomalies, that should have been done between weeks 11 and 14. It is a time sensitive screening and is not something that is or should be done after week 14.

 

You can expect to have a second trimester ultrasound, commonly known as the anatomy scan, but it is done between weeks 18 and 21.

Between weeks 16 and 18, you may be offered a test for something called Alpha Fetal Protein (AFP). This test helps screen for neural tube defects such as spina bifida. If your screen is positive, your OB provider will refer you to a high risk specialist or Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor for more testing.

 

No stress if you don’t have an ultrasound scheduled this week. The second trimester ultrasound, also known as anatomy scan, typically takes place between weeks 18 and 21.

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOUR BUMP?

16 Weeks Pregnant Belly

TIPS & RESOURCES FOR WEEK 16

Tips for 16 Weeks Pregnant

  • Continue taking your prenatal vitamin – taking it at night or with food might help it go down easier – these are the ones I took during my pregnancy (Ritual)

  • Consider investing in a pregnancy pillow – I have a couple on my Amazon Storefront to help you narrow your search

  • Get a pregnancy planner or journal if you haven’t already

  • Establish healthy sleep habits 

  • Start documenting your bump with a weekly picture – I used the Baby Story: Pregnancy Pictures app during my pregnancies

  • Start thinking a baby moon if you plan on taking one

  • It’s never too early to start looking into childcare options – trust me on this one, mama, preschools and daycares fill up fast 

  • Make a point to check in with your mental health – it’s never too early to start doing this

  • Do some research on the anatomy scan so that you come prepared with questions if you have any – you can learn more here

  • Sign up for MLN weekly pregnancy updates to stay up to date on everything going on with your pregnancy. So much good information, and it’s all free! 

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