What Fruit Size Is Your Baby At Pregnancy Week 16?
Your baby is the size of an avocado this week. Which is to say he or she is about 4.5 inches. Weight is probably around 3 ounces.
What Does Your Baby Look Like?
His or her legs are a little more sturdy as they beef up and grow. Baby is also working on holding his or her head more erect than before. In addition those beautiful eyes have moved more towards the front of the head. The ears are also close to the position that they will be. Toenails are starting to form. Tiny little sweet toenails. Also the pattern on the scalp of where hair will grow has begun.
What Is Going On Inside The Baby?
The baby’s heart is pumping more and more blood as it continues to grow. 25 quarts in fact is the current estimate. Blood is pumping to all the newly forming organs.
What Is Happening to Mom?
Mom may notice that her uterus is about halfway up to her belly button at the moment. There are ligaments around there stretching to hold things and thickening to get ready for the weight they will carry. Occasionally you may experience something called round ligament pain which is the result of some of the stretching and rearranging.
Hopefully Mom is hitting her stride with this pregnancy at week 16 with the nausea fading out of the picture. Hopefully there are fewer mood swings too. If you are lucky, you might even have that “glow” about you that says you are pregnant.
Not too long now and you will be able to feel the baby move. It can be felt as early as pregnancy week 16 in some women, but others don’t feel it until 18 weeks or more. This can depend on where the placenta attaches. If you have a placenta in the front, this can act like a pillow and muffle the movements. Even if the placenta isn’t in front, some women aren’t aware of movement until around 20 weeks. The first feelings of movement or “quickening” are similar to gas, flutters, popcorn popping, or bubbles. Don’t worry that baby won’t be such a wimp forever. As the weeks pass you will feel stronger hits and kicks.
Weight Gain (General)
The goal in pregnancy is to gain 25 to 35 pounds. These figures change if you were not an “average” weight at the beginning of pregnancy. If you were underweight, you may be advised it’s ok to gain more. Likewise if you are overweight, it may be healthier to put on less. Your doctor will help you with any goals with your weight at this time.
300 extra calories a day should be enough for that second person you are growing at the moment. If you work out and are more active, you may need to adjust that up.
Weight Gain (Too Much)
If you are gaining weight and are worried, discuss this with your doctor. You should not pick this time to go on low calorie diets or skip meals (even when you have morning sickness.) Here are some healthy suggestions for healthy eating:
Start with a well rounded breakfast. We all know breakfast is a very important meal. You will be quoting that to your baby soon enough- so best to have fiber, a complex carb and some protein to start the day. This will also keep you full longer.
Eat vegetables, whole grains, meat, and low fat dairy. You know the things you will want your baby to eat when table foods are an option.
Keep snacks in your purse. That way you aren’t searching for food at the vending machines.
If you are having a craving try to replace it with something that is less bad. Ice cream craving? Have some Frozen Yogurt.
Drink lots of water. That is important now and as you get further in the pregnancy if you get dehydrated your body will start giving you Braxton Hicks contractions to remind you to drink water. Best to get in the habit now.
Regular exercise is always going to benefit you, as long as it is approved by your medical advisor. Obviously proper care is warranted to prevent injury. 20-minute walks are a good pick me up to stave off tiredness and to be active.
Weight Gain (Too Little)
If you are not putting enough weight on please check with your doctor and then try these options:
Drink a milk shake for calcium and a calorie boost
Eat really nutrient dense foods. That way you aren’t having to eat a lot to get the fuel you require.
Eating dried food could be something to try. You will get some healthy calories.
Frequent snacking.
If mentally you are struggling try to remind yourself that it’s for the baby right now.
Weight Affects on Pregnancy?
Aches and Pains will be experienced from additional weight on your frame in pregnancy week 16. Backaches are common, as is clumsiness. Stretch marks can happen. There are lotions that can be applied. Largely likelihood of stretch marks seem to come down to hereditary, but lotion can’t hurt.
Activity
Plan a romantic getaway with your partner this week. After baby comes there may be a little less focus on each other for a while. Fill up the love tanks on this trip to persevere through the next few months.
For more detail information and talk to mothers experiencing the same thing please click here.
