16 Weeks of Your Pregnancy

Your baby’s diaphragm is now developed and they may start to get the hiccups. You may feel this as little rhythmic flutters in your belly. Your baby now measures around 10 centimetres long and weighs about 100 grams. Facial expressions are starting to develop and your baby can squint, frown or smirk. If you are expecting a girl, she is already forming millions of eggs in her own ovaries.

CHANGES TO YOUR BODY:

Your belly may be starting to really round out in Week 16. This is due to the expansion of your uterus, which will have grown to as much as 1000 times its usual size by the time you deliver. You can also expect to gain about 500 grams per week from now until the end of your pregnancy.

It is around 16 weeks that you might start to feel the first kicks and flutters from within, especially if this is your second or later pregnancy but don’t be too concerned if you haven’t yet felt a flutter as some don’t experience this feeling until around 20 weeks.

You might start suffering with an achey back, this is a common problem in pregnancy because of the hormones and the extra weight you’re carrying. Now is probably a good time to ditch the high heels too, as heels won’t help back ache.

A heat pack can be soothing to an aching back. Apply a heat pack for 15 – 20 minutes every three hours. Be sure not to overheat the heat pack so your core temperature is not elevated.

A warm bath can be very soothing, as can a swim as the water will give you a sense of weightlessness.

It’s important to keep moving. Doing some yoga may help and is gentle enough to start at any stage of pregnancy. Read more about pregnancy yoga here. 

LIFESTYLE CONSIDERATIONS:

16 Weeks is around the time you may be offered the opportunity to find out whether your baby is a boy or a girl. Certain prenatal tests can reveal the sex of your unborn child and it is up to you to decide whether you want to know in advance or enjoy the anticipation of finding out when your baby is born.

GENERAL ADVICE:

If you already have children this is a good week to start preparing them for what is coming by telling them about the new baby. Make sure you give them plenty of time to adjust to the idea as it will be a big change for them as well.

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