Pregnancy Week 16

Pregnancy is a process that invites you to surrender to the unseen force behind all life. --Judy Ford

What happens to you?

You may have constipation. If you are having trouble having bowel movements, try to alleviate this problem by eating more vegetables and other food items that contain fiber (Read nutrition information on food labels). Drinking more fluids, especially water, will also help a great deal. If these things don't help, be sure to tell your doctor or midwife that you are still constipated.

You may begin to feel the baby move around this point. This is more likely to happen now if you are a multipara (someone who has had a previous child) or if you are very thin. Generally you will feel the baby move about one month earlier than you did in a previous pregnancy, mainly because you know what you are feeling. It is not uncommon for first time mothers to not recognize fetal movements until 22-24 weeks. These first movements are called "quickening." They can also be used in helping to determine your due date.

What happens to the baby?

Your baby's nails are well formed now. Many babies even need to have their nails trimmed at birth. The ears have also moved into place on the head.

The baby is emptying its bladder every 40-45 minutes. Movements of the arms and legs are becoming more coordinated. Your baby weighs about 3 ounces (85 grams) and is 6.3 inches (16 cm) long. The gender may be detectable through an ultrasound examination.

Return to Pregnancy Calendar or continue to Week 17