16th week of pregnancy – baby’s development, changes in the body, tests and indications

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You are on your 16th week of pregnancy. It is unbelievable how much a child’s organism has developed during this time. Week 16 should be a very quiet week for both of you. See what you can expect.

16th week of pregnancy – the most important information

Once the placenta is fully functional, your baby has very easy access to the nutrients and oxygen it takes from your body. Thanks to this, it entered the phase of rapid growth and in the 16th week of pregnancy it measures 11-12 cm from the buttocks to the top of the head. If you’re wondering how much your toddler might weigh, pick up a bar of chocolate. Surprising, isn’t it? The fetus is only 100 grams, and it has developed all the vital organs that now specialize and grow. Below you will find a table with the biometric dimensions of the fetus:

Meanwhile, your tummy is becoming more convex, making you out of your pre-pregnancy clothes. Do not force yourself into too small pants – not only will it be uncomfortable for you, but it can also harm your baby. In the 16th week of pregnancy, you should be comfortable and wear loose-fitting clothing. Thanks to this, you will also avoid additional problems with circulation, which are already bothering you so much. It can also minimize the risk of developing varicose veins.

What should you know about stomach pain in pregnancy? Check it out: Abdominal pain in pregnancy

16rd week of pregnancy – baby’s development

At the 16th week of week, the fetus develops and perfects all its systems and continues to gain weight. The overall appearance of its head is very similar to that of a newborn baby. The toddler’s eyes are already placed on the front of the face and they will remain closed for many more weeks, they are starting to function. The eyeballs make gentle movements under the eyelids, resembling those made by a dreaming person. Interestingly, the photosensitive cells are now functional because the baby reacts to strong lighting. The skin of the fetus is still thin and transparent, so the eyelids are not a big barrier. If the abdomen was illuminated with harsh light, the baby would try to turn in the opposite direction.

In the 16th week of pregnancy, the structures of the ear are also perfectly developed, including the labyrinthine labyrinth responsible for the sense of balance. Although the baby will be learning to use it to the full for a long time after birth, he is already acquiring a basic understanding in this area. Interestingly, in the 16th week of pregnancy, the baby can hear the mum’s intestines and her heartbeat. This period is the perfect time to talk to the baby as often as possible, thanks to which the baby will get used to the voices of the parents.

The constant exercise of muscles makes more and more of their parts well developed. This also applies to the face. The child grimaces, is surprised and smiles – in a word, he tests a whole range of emotions. Of course, at the moment he does not react to specific stimuli with his facial expression, but only “explores” the possibilities of his face. For example, the first conscious smile will appear on a baby’s face only 6 to 8 weeks after birth.

In the 16th week of pregnancy, not only muscles develop, but the skeleton also matures. It must be remembered, however, that the skeletal system takes a long time to develop, even after a baby is born. A newborn baby has many more bones than an adult because the skeleton changes at the points of ossification. In addition, in the 16th week of pregnancy, the baby continues to straighten in its mother’s belly. During this time, his muscles, bones and joints strengthen.

Although the fetus does not resemble the “tadpole” that it was a dozen or so weeks ago for a long time, its skin is still clear. This is, among other things, the effect of the lack of adipose tissue. When the fat develops and can act as a thermal insulation, the child will also lose hair, which now covers his entire body (lanugo). However, already in the 16th week of pregnancy, the first sweat glands are formed in the transparent skin.

All vital functions also develop in the 16th week of pregnancy. Therefore, among other things, the child urinates every 40-45 minutes and breathes more and more clearly. Although at this point amniotic fluid enters his lungs, the breathing process itself allows the muscles responsible for breathing to be exercised. Thanks to such exercises, the baby will be able to breathe on its own right after birth.

How does the fetus develop in the trimesters of pregnancy? Read: Fetal development stages – XNUMXst, XNUMXnd and XNUMXrd trimesters of pregnancy

16st week of pregnancy – changes in your body

Although in the 16th week of pregnancy you may think that nothing is changing in your body apart from your growing belly, your body begins to feel the effects of working at a double speed. You are not experiencing chronic fatigue at all – on the contrary, you are bursting with energy in the second trimester. Despite this, you need to take special care of your body so as not to struggle with unpleasant ailments later.

In the 16th week of pregnancy, circulation should be improved as much as possible. There is much more blood in the bloodstream of the future mother than normal. This makes puffiness appear. You may also feel the characteristic heart palpitations. Additionally, the constantly enlarging uterus presses against the veins, making it difficult for blood to travel back to the heart. If this condition continues, varicose veins may develop, especially if the pregnant woman is genetically predisposed to varicose veins. To prevent them, you should move regularly. It does not have to be an intense effort – a light walk is enough to improve venous circulation. When resting, it is also a good idea to place your legs slightly above your heart. This makes it easier for the blood to travel through the veins.

It is also the high time to take care of your skin. If a woman is prone to stretch marks, it is rather impossible to avoid them, but the remaining women in the 16th week of pregnancy can fight for the skin with double strength. You should focus primarily on moisturizing and gentle, stimulating massages.

A belly that does not want to “settle down”, raging hormones, an ever stuffy nose and a uterus pressing against the diaphragm can make you have problems sleeping in the 16th week of pregnancy. The best approach in this case will be trial and error – you should try to create the most comfortable conditions for rest.

Remember that you are not condemned only to sleeping on your back or stomach. You can try to apply a pillow and arrange it in a way that will bring you relief. With respiratory problems, humidifying the air can help somewhat. Remember to air out your bedroom before going to bed. Also, a short walk in the evening can help you fall asleep faster.

You are probably experiencing sore gums and even bleeding of your gums more and more. The morning on the gums or the inside of the cheek can also trigger your anxiety during an oral inspection. This is a so-called pyogenic granuloma that very often occurs during pregnancy. As serious as its name sounds, you have nothing to worry about. It is the effect of hormones. If you maintain good oral hygiene, the pyogenic granuloma will go away shortly after birth.

Learn about ways to treat stretch marks in pregnancy: Stretch marks in pregnancy – can you get rid of them?

16th week of pregnancy – what is worth paying attention to?

The 16th week of pregnancy is the fourth month of your baby’s development in your belly. During this time, it is worth paying attention to a few basic things. Future mothers in the 16th week of pregnancy may complain about:

1. heaviness, gas, tight bowel – these symptoms are caused by the action of progesterone. This hormone slows down the functioning of the digestive system from the very beginning of pregnancy, which may cause various digestive problems. In addition, the constantly growing uterus puts more and more pressure on other organs of the abdominal cavity, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the intestines. Fortunately, these unpleasant ailments can be prevented. In order to improve the functioning of the digestive and digestive system, it is worth limiting the consumption of products that cause gas and gas, such as: fried foods, fast food, cabbage, beans or peas. In order for the digestive system to function more efficiently, you should enrich your diet with products containing fiber, i.e. vegetables, whole grain bread or pasta. During pregnancy, it is worth including kefir or natural yoghurts in your diet. You cannot forget about physical activity. Regular, half-hour walks will work well during pregnancy;
2. muscle spasms – the cramps most often affect the legs, especially the legs. There can be many reasons for such cramps, but the most common indication is leg fatigue. Fatigue factors include prolonged sitting, uterine pressure on pelvic nerves, rapid weight gain and overweight, improper diet, and calcium and magnesium deficiency in the body. To get rid of muscle cramps, you need to diversify your diet and introduce foods rich in calcium and magnesium. Milk and its products will work great, as well as nuts or dark chocolate with a high cocoa content. Supplementation of B vitamins also helps with muscle cramps. Muscle cramps can also be dealt with temporarily. If the contraction is very intense and painful, massage the sore spot. You can buy vitamins and minerals necessary for the proper development of pregnancy on Medonet Market. Here you will find, for example, LittleMe Day + LittleMe Night Health Labs – for the benefit of mother and baby.

What are the symptoms of pregnancy? Check it out: Pregnancy symptoms – fertilization, how to recognize them and when do they appear?

How to take care of yourself in the 16th week of pregnancy?

As at every stage of pregnancy, the expectant mother should take care of her well-being, health and body in the 16th week. To take care of your health and comfort, you should take care of a few simple issues:

1. hair care – in the 16th week of pregnancy, a woman has a very high concentration of estrogen in her body. For this reason, many women at this time notice a significant improvement in the complexion, strengthening of the nails, and improvement of the condition of the hair. However, in order to maintain the beneficial properties of estrogens, you should take special care of your hair. First of all, do not wash them in hot water, dry them too often, straighten them or use a curling iron. During this time, it is also worth resigning from the use of cosmetics that weigh down the hair, i.e. foams, gels or varnishes. It is best to wash your hair in the 16th week of pregnancy with a delicate shampoo and use natural conditioners. This will guarantee beautiful hair throughout your pregnancy;
2. limiting the time spent in front of the computer – if your work requires sitting in front of the computer, it is worth remembering about your rights during pregnancy. The law introduced in 2017 stipulates that a pregnant woman can work in front of a computer screen continuously for 50 minutes. After this time, she has a 10-minute break. A pregnant woman should ask her gynecologist to issue a certificate that she can show to her employer in order to fully exercise her rights;
3. proper oral hygiene – problems with the gums and teeth may appear in the 16th week of pregnancy. In order to reduce the irritation of the gums, a soft-bristled toothbrush is recommended. Teeth should be brushed 2-3 times a day for 2-3 minutes. It is worth remembering to brush your teeth very gently, thanks to which you can prevent further wounds or gum infections.

Check what exercises you can do during pregnancy: Exercise during pregnancy

Especially important in the 16st week of pregnancy

Listen to your body and start looking for the baby’s first movements. You may already feel them, but you mistake them for, for example, moving food in your stomach.

Tests in the 16st week of pregnancy

Late amniocentesis can be performed between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation, if indicated. During the examination, amniotic fluid is collected, therefore it is an invasive examination. Fetal cells that are in the fluid are then examined. Amniocentesis is recommended primarily for women over 35 and for those who previously gave birth to a child with a developmental defect.

If nothing disturbing happens, no additional tests are needed. However, it is worth remembering to check your blood pressure regularly.

How to plan the 16th week of pregnancy?

In the 16th week of pregnancy, there are some important things to keep in mind for your health. In the pregnancy calendar, it is worth making the following notes:

1. folic acid supplementation at a dose of 0,4 mg;
2. DHA supplementation at a dose of 500 mg;
3. vitamin D3 supplementation;
4. listening to relaxing music and talking to the baby often;
5. reducing sources of stress.

In order to supplement the vitamins and minerals necessary for the proper course of pregnancy, it is worth reaching for multivitamin preparations intended especially for pregnant women. Try, for example, Pregnancy Complex – Viridian pregnant woman.

An interesting fact about the 16nd week of pregnancy

Although at the 16th week of pregnancy, the baby struggles to maintain an appropriate body temperature, sweat glands are already forming in its skin.

Read on:

1. 15rd week of pregnancy
2. 17rd week of pregnancy

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