9 Dec 2016 | 11 min Read
Sudeshna Chakravarti
Author | 799 Articles
Congratulations on making it almost halfway through your pregnancy journey! At week 16, you are officially four months pregnant. And so much more awaits you in the next few weeks. During this week, you are in the middle of your second trimester, and your baby is the size of an avocado. You can also hear your baby’s heartbeats in checkups and ultrasounds.
When you are 16 weeks pregnant, you will notice rapid changes in your body, and also experience certain pregnancy symptoms like swelling in your feet and nausea. In this post, we give you all the crucial information on all the symptoms that you will experience, plus your baby’s essential developmental milestones while they are still in the womb.
Let’s start by learning all about your baby’s development during this time. At 16 weeks of pregnancy, you can expect a major growth spurt in your baby, and in the next three weeks, you can expect them to be more active, and many of their complicated body systems will start to function.
At 16 weeks of pregnancy, your baby will be the size of an avocado and could fit in the palm of your hand. They will measure about 4.6 inches (11.6 cms), and weigh 3.5 ounces (100 gms). You can follow the pregnancy week-by-week posts to get more idea about your baby’s development every week and common symptoms that you can expect to notice.
According to doctors, you can expect the following milestones in your baby’s growth and development:
If you are carrying twins, their development will be the same as above, along with the following symptoms:
At 16 weeks of pregnancy, your body will undergo several changes. You will also experience common symptoms and will notice that some of them are similar to early signs of pregnancy. You will notice:
When you were in your first trimester, you could easily hide your pregnancy by wearing flowy clothes. But when you are 16 weeks pregnant, your uterus will begin to grow rapidly, and you may not be able to hide your pregnancy anymore, even if you wanted to.
You are also likely to experience your baby’s first kicks during this time and will be able to feel them move too. These kicks are called quickenings or flutters and can be mistaken for stomach rumblings or indigestion.
Additionally, you will experience a pregnancy glow, due to increased blood flow during this time, making your face look brighter than usual. The active hormones in your body will also make your skin oilier and shinier.
At 16 weeks, your baby bump will be visible, and your weight gain will be considerable too. However, keep in mind that how your pregnant belly looks at 16 weeks may differ from one person to another. So, before panicking, visit your doctor for more information and confirm that your baby is going at a healthy rate without any complications.
You can also use a pregnancy month calculator to track your progress and determine if your baby is growing at the right rate or not.
When you are 16 weeks pregnant, you will have a four-month prenatal visit. Your doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination and also suggest some lab tests to check for signs of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and urinary tract infections.
The doctor will also conduct a doppler ultrasound test during this appointment. Your ob-gyn will use a hand-held device called Doppler to make you and your partner hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time, which will become a routine hereafter.
With the morning sickness gone, this is a good time for you to focus on yourself and remain fit. We’ve listed some essential self-care tips that you can practice at 16 weeks pregnant.
A set of checklists for the week:
What to Ask Your Doctor?
Before you visit your doctor, make sure to take a list of questions that you are curious about. Some crucial questions that you can ask during your 16th week of pregnancy include:
When you are 16 weeks pregnant, you will experience several bodily changes, and also experience your baby’s kicks for the first time. On the other hand, your baby’s essential organs will continue to develop, and their senses will also grow. To maintain optimal health, make sure to consume a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly, and visit your doctor for prenatal checkups.
What are the signs of a healthy pregnancy at week 16?
If your body weight, blood pressure, and other lab examinations, such as urinary tests come out normal, then you and your baby are healthy and safe. Additionally, your doctor will conduct regular ultrasounds during prenatal visits to determine your baby’s heart rate and development.
Are you 4 months pregnant at 16 weeks?
Yes, 16 weeks is four months or the end of four months of pregnancy.
What is my baby doing at 16 weeks in the womb?
As your baby’s eyes are forming, they can make small side-to-side movements during this time. Your baby may also start sucking its thumb, and you can feel its first kicks around this time.
Can you feel your baby move at week 16?
You can feel your baby’s first kicks at week 16, and also light movements from time to time.
Can I lay on my back at 16 weeks pregnant?
No, especially from week 16 of pregnancy, you should avoid laying on your back. Always sleep on your side and use pregnancy pillows for extra comfort and support.
How can I make my baby happy in the womb?
You can make your baby happy in the womb by gently rubbing your belly, or by responding to their kicks.
Ovulation calculator: Check out this post to know everything about ovulation and how to calculate your most fertile days.
17-week pregnancy symptoms: Here’s everything that you can expect during the 17th week of pregnancy, from different symptoms to your baby’s developmental milestones.
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Suggestions offered by doctors on BabyChakra are of advisory nature i.e., for educational and informational purposes only. Content posted on, created for, or compiled by BabyChakra is not intended or designed to replace your doctor's independent judgment about any symptom, condition, or the appropriateness or risks of a procedure or treatment for a given person.