When you are 16 weeks pregnant, your baby is getting stronger and is in constant movement. Small kicks or something similar to gas bubbles or a muscle twitch may very well be your baby saying hello.
The risk of miscarriage is low now, and if you are still worrying – stop, and start enjoying your pregnancy instead.
This article will cover fetal development, how big your baby is, what month you are actually in, pregnancy symptoms, and what’s happening with your belly and body, mom.
Week 15 | Week 17
What to Expect at 16 Weeks Pregnant
In this article…
How Many Months is 16 Weeks Pregnant?
Counting weeks and months during pregnancy can be quite confusing.
A month doesn’t typically consist of 4 exact weeks, but rather 4.5 weeks. We say that pregnancy is 9 months, but 40 weeks— it doesn’t really go together and is due to the mismatch between weeks and months. This is why most doctors don’t talk about pregnancy months at all, only weeks!
There is also a difference between which month you are in and how many months pregnant you are. Try to think of it the same way you think about how old you are; you are 30 years old, once you have completed 30 years.
You are three months pregnant when you have completed three months of pregnancy. So, when 16 weeks pregnant, you are three months pregnant, but in your fourth month. (But stop counting months! :-) ) You are still in the second trimester.
Your Baby at 16 Weeks
How Big is my Baby at 16 Weeks?
The fetal age of your baby is now 14 weeks. It’s growing time!
When you are 16 weeks pregnant, your baby will begin to grow quickly and double the weight in the next few weeks.
Right now, your little one is about the size of a big avocado, approximately 4.5 inches long (11.5 cm) and 3.5 ounces (100 grams). You’ll find a handy (and cute!) chart for baby size by pregnancy week here, with more detailed measures and fruit comparisons.
With all this growth, it might be getting a little snugger for the baby inside the womb, and if you haven’t felt any movement yet, you will shortly.
What Does my Baby Look Like at 16 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby can now make faces, although not intentionally yet. But the facial muscles are working overtime, and it is possible to distinguish the baby’s expressions now, such as frowning, squinting, or even smiling.
The size of your baby’s head is starting to get more in proportion with the rest of the body.
The pattern of the hair on the scalp is forming and may be visible.
Although you can’t see them yet, there are tiny little toenails on those baby feet that kick you each day—whether you notice it yet or not. You may need to even cut them shortly after birth if they are too long by that time.
Your baby’s skin is transparent and thin, and the blood vessels underneath it can be seen.
Fetal Development When 16 Weeks Pregnant
Thumb sucking might be seen if you have an ultrasound during this week. As the bones harden, your baby’s kicks will get stronger and stronger.
Your little one might hear your voice because the tiny bones in the ears are in place. However, even if the baby does hear already, the sounds they hear are limited because the hearing is still developing. As the pregnancy progresses, your baby will hear better, and very soon, they will be able to recognize your voice and other voices that they often hear.
Between weeks 16 and 18, the baby’s eyes start to make side-to-side movements.
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The baby’s heart is beating at a rate of anywhere from 117 to 157 beats per minute, and if you are still trying to guess your baby’s gender, there’s an old wives tale that the heart rate is a predictor of gender.
Want to guess? According to hearsay, a fetal heart rate consistently over 140 beats per minute means that it is a girl and if below 140, it is a boy. So now you know ;-)
If you have decided NOT to check your baby’s gender—or you have already found out—then it can be time to start creating your baby registry! Wow, already!? Yes, why not? It is fun, and you can let it slowly evolve.
Mom’s Body when 16 Weeks Pregnant
Your Belly at 16 Weeks
At this time, the top of the uterus has grown to about halfway between the pubic hairline and the belly button. Try lying down on your back, and press gently on your stomach to locate your uterus. Pretty cool!
Many pregnant women have pretty obvious baby bumps at 16 weeks. However, every women’s body is different. While for some, their baby bump will be easily noticeable at this point, other women might still not show at 16 weeks. Don’t worry about your baby bump being too small or too big. It is perfect and exactly as it should be.
You may feel the baby move during this week, but if this is your first pregnancy, you may not recognize the movements until around 18 or 20 weeks.
It can take some time to realize exactly what is going on inside you, but once you feel that first kick, you will remember it for sure!
Pregnancy Symptoms
Uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms you might experience at this point can include bleeding gums, loss of hair, nosebleeds, and cramping.
You may also get varicose veins.
Some women might experience skin changes. For some, these changes might include the development of dark spots, also known as melasma. Others might experience the glowing skin that many talk about—the pregnancy glow.
Constipation is pretty common in early pregnancy, but it can become an issue at any time. To avoid it or to ease the discomfort, eat small, frequent meals, make sure to eat foods rich in fiber, and drink plenty of water. Regular exercise might also help.
It is not unusual to experience back pain during pregnancy. As your belly grows, your spine is adapting to accommodate the baby. Your muscles work extra hard to carry the growing baby and the extra weight. Regular exercise, such as prenatal yoga, might be helpful.
If you’re starting to feel a bit uncomfortable when lying flat on your back, you do not imagine things. Lying on the back can lead to low blood pressure for some women. Try lying on your side instead!
If it is of any help—at least you are not alone in your pregnancy struggles. Many other women experience some, if not all, of these side effects sometime during their pregnancy.
Things to Do and Buy in Week 16
Don’t forget to talk to your baby; your little one can hear you, and many parents will talk to their babies well before they are born as part of their own way to make that parental connection before birth.
Some women find that keeping a journal helps to remember those questions that you think of between appointments but can’t seem to remember when the time comes.
A pregnancy journal is also great fun as a memory. This special time never comes back! (You can read my journal below. And please share your own in comments below, lots of moms would love to read it!)
Some parents start preparing their lives in more ways than one, drawing up a will, changing beneficiaries, or even getting life insurance are important aspects that need to be addressed once you have dependents to take care of.
Start creating a baby registry, if you haven’t. I personally love Amazon for that!
Week 16 Pregnancy Video
Diary of a Daughter
What’s it really like being 16 weeks pregnant…? Here’s a true diary from a 16 weeks pregnant mom (Me..!)
Now anyone can see that I’m pregnant. At least I think so. But I do still have one pair of jeans that I can wear. I went maternity shopping today. Great fun! But most trousers are still too big. Why don’t they have maternity wear for different stages of pregnancy?
Are you also 16 weeks pregnant? Please share your experiences and thoughts by leaving a comment below!
More About the Second Trimester
- Weight gain during pregnancy, what is normal and not
- See what your baby is up to in these fetal development videos
- Breast changes during pregnancy and beyond
References:
Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
Joanne Stone MD and Keith Eddleman MD, The Pregnancy Bible: Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood
Nilsson, L; Hamberger, L. A Child Is Born
Soderberg, L., Mammapraktika. B Wahlstroms.
Image: Image of 16 weeks belly by Graham and Sheila
Week 15 | Week 17
Paula Dennholt founded Easy Baby Life in 2006 and has been a passionate parenting and pregnancy writer since then. Her parenting approach and writing are based on studies in cognitive-behavioral models and therapy for children and her experience as a mother and stepmother. Life as a parent has convinced her of how crucial it is to put relationships before rules. She strongly believes in positive parenting and a science-based approach.
Paula cooperates with a team of pediatricians who assist in reviewing and writing articles.
