16 Weeks Pregnant (Fetal Age 14 Weeks)

Your baby is now tall as a big avocado and can make faces

15 weeks pregnant

17 weeks pregnant

The risk of miscarriage is low now, and if you are still worrying - stop and start enjoying your pregnancy instead. You can find miscarriage statistics week by week here.

What to expect about...

• Your Baby
• Mom's Body
• 4th Month of Pregnancy Video
• Diary of a Daughter

Your Baby

It's growing time! When you are 16 weeks pregnant your baby will begin increase in size dramatically. Right now, your little one is about the size of a big avocado, approximately 4.5 inches long and 3.5 ounces.

With all this growing, your little one may be getting a little snugger inside of you and if you haven't felt any movement yet, you will shortly.

Thumb sucking can be seen if you have an ultrasound during this week, and as the bones harden, those kicks will get stronger and stronger.

The facial muscles are working overtime and it is possible to distinguish expressions now such as frowning, squinting or even smiling from right within your womb.

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 that.

Want to guess? Well, a fetal heart rate consistently over 140 beats per minutes it is a girl, if below 140 it is a boy. So now you know ;-)

The pattern of hair on the scalp is forming and may be visible and although you can't see them yet, there are tiny little toenails on those baby feet that kick you each day. You may need to even clip them shortly after birth if they are too long by that time.

Mom's Body

Image by Graham and Sheila

During this week you may feel the baby move, 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 of you, but once you feel that first kick, you are sure to remember it!

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.

Prenatal testing will be discussed at your medical appointments now with your healthcare provider. If you have any questions, or are unsure about what the tests entail, be sure to ask questions.

Remember that you are in control and if you are unsure about the tests, let your anxieties be known.

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!

Other factors come into play now regarding your life, especially if this is your first child.

Many 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.

For everyday maternity clothes online, check out the collection at Amazon.

4th Month of Pregnancy Video

Instructions: When watching the video clips, start the videos by clicking the small arrow down to the left, not the large one in the middle of the screen. If you're using Internet Explorer as your browser and the video doesn't start, try clicking twice on the small arrow.

15 weeks pregnant

17 weeks pregnant

Diary of a Daughter

Related Content

• Breasts and areola changes during pregnancy and beyond
• Have a peak at your baby's appearance in these fetal development videos
• Miscarriage statistics week by week

Would other parents find this valuable? Share it!

References:
MayoClinic (2011), Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
Joanne Stone MD and Keith Eddleman MD (2008) The Pregnancy Bible: Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood
Nilsson, L; Hamberger, L. (2004) A Child Is Born.
Soderberg, L. (2010) Mammapraktika. B Wahlstroms.

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