Pregnant: What happens in week 16 of pregnancy

Your baby's development in week 16 of pregnancy

Somersaults: The fetus still has plenty of room in the uterus – and it uses it to move around extensively. Apart from short periods of rest is your baby in motion around the clock, trains its muscles and practices, thanks to the further maturing nervous system, the coordination of arms, legs, neck and head. You yourselves may only feel the movements slightly – especially if it is the second pregnancy. Otherwise the typical fluttering is usually only felt from the 20th week of pregnancy to be felt.

The body stretches: With development of the back and neck muscles, the fetus's body stretches, giving it even more room to move has. In the following weeks the back muscles continue to develop. Your baby uses its strengthened muscles in week 16 of pregnancy to lift its head and neck out of the curled position.

Grasping, breathing, swallowing: Even now your baby is practicing all vital reflexes, that it will need after birth. It reaches for the umbilical cord and swallows amniotic fluid to excrete it again as urine. It will continue to refine these reflexes over the coming months.

Perceiving sounds: In week 16 of pregnancy your baby's ears are so well developed that it can perceive sounds such as your heartbeat, the whooshing of blood in your vessels, or the vibration of a passing car can. Of course it also perceives the loving voice of the parents. Talk to your child as much as possible so that it becomes well accustomed to the soothing sound of your voices.

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

In week 16 of pregnancy your baby has a size of 10 to 12 cm and weighs a proud 85 grams. The size corresponds approximately to that of a larger apple, the weight, however, corresponds to that of a carrot.Because of the pronounced facial expressions you might notice yawning or other grimaces of your little miracleit is15th week of pregnancy it is theoretically possible to determine the sex of your child. During the ultrasound in the current week of your pregnancy you may reveal the secret of whether you are expecting a boy or a girl – provided the fetus wants to show itself clearly.You usually get clarity about the sex in the second major ultrasound examination from the 19th week of pregnancy

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 16 of pregnancy?

The mother's body works around the clock at full speed to protection and care of the fetus. Thus the complaints that appeared in previous weeks pregnancy complaints in week 16 the steadier signs of the progressing growth of the belly or the baby.

The placenta grows: In week 16 of pregnancy the placenta grows. It now gradually takes over from the chorion (fetal membrane around the fetus) the entire care of your child.

The uterine ligaments are strained: In week 16 of pregnancy the uterus is about the size of a honeydew melon and becomes increasingly firmer to protect the fetus. The growth strains the uterine ligaments, which hold the uterus on the left and right in the lower abdomen. Many women now feel an uncomfortable pulling in the groin area.

The first colostrum: The woman's breasts have already grown significantly over the past two months and the areolas may appear larger and darker. Often the breasts already begin with the production of yellowish colostrum (colostrum), because the glandular tissue and milk ducts are preparing for the let-down and breastfeeding after birth. From time to time, therefore, small drops of breast milk may leak. If necessary, you use thin nursing pads to avoid wet spots on your clothing.

A first flutter: Very sensitive women or mothers who have already given birth may perhaps feel from week 16 already the first, very slight fetal movements. Often it is not possible to say for sure whether it is really the fetus that is moving or whether it is digestive processes in the lower abdomen.

Weight gain: In general, expectant mothers gain during pregnancy up to 16 kg. That means that you about 300 g per week more on the scales. Most of the weight actually comes from the placenta, the amniotic fluid and the uterus. In addition there is water retention and increased blood volume. So the weight gain is not overweight, but purely natural growth processes for your bundle of love.

Pronounced bump or gentle bulge? The belly in week 16

If several women who are in the 16th week of pregnancy stand next to each other, their bellies will most likely be very different in size. Because even if the size of the fetus differs by at most a few centimeters at this time, the mothers' pregnancy bellies develop individually: In some, a noticeable belly already appears by the end of the 3rd month of pregnancy, while in others the pregnancy is still not visible externally in the 5th month.

How much your belly grows is, on the one hand, a matter of your constitution and on the other hand it depends on your overall body proportions . In a very slim woman, the pregnancy naturally shows earlier than in a more rounded one. Also with there is a difference between first-time and multiparous mothers. Thus the belly tends to protrude noticeably earlier in the second or third pregnancy than in the first child's pregnancy.

This is important in week 16 of pregnancy

Book a childbirth preparation class: If you would like to take a childbirth preparation course, you should secure a place by now at the latest. Normally the courses begin around the 25. to 30th week of pregnancy, but seats are usually quickly booked. Ask at the birthing center, the maternity clinic of your choice, or a private midwife whether courses will take place soon.
Last deadline for a triple test and amniocentesis: Up to week 16 of pregnancy, the so-called triple test can be performed to determine the probability of the genetic defect trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) in the baby. Amniocentesis is also used to detect genetic defects such as trisomy 21 – however, it is only performed if a risk is known or if nuchal translucency measurement suggests a defect.
Get 'growing' maternity clothes: Even if your belly isn't overly rounded yet, it is still advisable to already look out for 'growing' <LINK>maternity wear to keep an eye out for. If the first trousers are tight, it won't be long before you can't fasten them anymore. Based on your usual clothing size and how your body has changed, it's best to look for clothing made of stretch fabrics and fitted with an elastic waistband, drawstring, or similar. For trousers, make sure the waistband either sits below the belly or is wide enough to lie pressure-free over the bulge. Tight cuffs should also be avoided.
Choosing names: It will be a while before the baby arrives. But now that you may already know the sex of your child, the question of the name naturally arises. The mother and father are not always immediately in agreement on what to name the baby. It's best to start with a list of preferred names as a 'starting point for negotiation'.

To the 17th week of pregnancy