Pregnancy Week 16

The second trimester of pregnancy is the most comfortable of the three trimesters. The queasiness of the first trimester has vanished and the discomforts of the third has not yet started. The changes the foetus and the mother undergo in the Pregnancy week 16 are enumerated below.

Changes in the Baby

The baby will be going through a rapid growth spurt in the next few weeks. It will gain both weight and height. By the end of the 16 th week the baby is the size of an avocado weighing about 3.5 pounds and measuring about 4.5 inches.

The growth in this Week 16 is accompanied by various physical developments. The baby’s body to head ratio starts evening out as the body starts growing faster than the head. The head becomes more erect, eyes come closer and face outwards, and the ears stretch out to final position giving the baby a human look. With the facial muscles developing the baby can give a multitude of facial expressions like frowning, squinting, blinking etc.

The limbs are stretching and legs become longer than arms. The baby attains the normal body to limb ratio. With the limb movement becoming coordinated the baby can move its limbs which will be felt as fluttering in the stomach by the mother. These initial movements are called ‘quickening’. You can get a brief idea about the changes in you and your baby during your pregnancy in Week by Week Pregnancy. Other changes are as follows

• Baby’s circulatory and urinary systems have started functioning. Now the heart is pumping about 25 quarts of blood per day. The baby is also emptying its bladder every 40-45 minutes.
• The gender of the baby is recognisable by week 16. If it is a girl millions of primordial eggs cells are being formed in her ovaries. In a few weeks these will develop into actual eggs.
• Sucking reflex is strengthening and the baby now starts sucking its thumb
• Nails are appearing on hands and feet.
• Even though the eyes are closed the baby can move them slowly. It can also detect changes in light by this week. Ears can make out sounds too.

Changes in the Mother

The mother’s uterus and placenta are continuously growing to support the growing baby. By the 16 th week the placenta is fully developed and starts functioning. The blood volume in the body increases by 50 percent and the heart pumps more blood to provide the growing baby with oxygen and nutrients. But the increased blood flow causes the blood oestrogen level to increase which in turn causes swelling of the nasal membranes resulting in stuffy nose and nosebleeds. A diet rich in vitamin C helps.

A Multiple Marker Test or triple Screen test is done in Pregnancy Week 16 helps in identifying any impending chromosomal abnormality like Downs Syndrome and neural tube defect like Spina bifida. This is a blood test in which the levels of alpha-fetoprotein and other pregnancy hormones like hCG and estriol are measured.

The enlarging uterus makes it uncomfortable to sleep on the belly. Sleeping on the back will cause the uterus to compress major blood vessels which is not advisable. With advancing Pregnancy sleeping sideways preferably on the left side is the most comfortable sleeping position. Healthy diet and adequate exercise are recommended to make this journey smooth.