When you are about 16 weeks pregnant, your baby bump is getting more obvious. Believe it or not, your fetus can now hold his tiny head upright, and the ears and the eyes have finished their migration. Here are the other exciting development that is going to happen when you are 16 weeks pregnant.

How Big is My Baby?

Your little baby is now 11.6cm long and weighing around 90g to 110g this week. Believe it or not, your baby is now as big as an apple!

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Baby’s Development During Week 16

Your fetus is now having more facial expressions and can start to hear the voices and sounds from the outside. His hear is also starting to pump 28 litres of blood a day.

The muscles in your baby’s face starts to move, so during this time, he is starting to making facial expressions. Your baby’s skin is translucent as there is no baby fat yet. It takes a few more weeks for the baby fat to form.

Another exciting development is this future foodie is now developing his taste buds! The tiny pores on the tongue have developed. Though he cannot taste anything right now, but the salty amniotic fluid will act as the ‘taster’ for their future meals.

Mother’s Pregnant Belly

When you are 16 weeks pregnant, you starts to gain more weight and as mentioned earlier, your baby bump is starting to show more. Take note that some pregnant lady wouldn’t really show at 16 weeks.

Never compare your 16 weeks pregnant belly the other mothers and do not concern too much about this. Baby bumps can be attributed from a woman’s size and shape, to her number of pregnancies. If you are still concern about this, you can talk to your doctor for some reassurance.

Symptoms When You Are 16 Weeks Pregnant

Generally, you will have more good or less painful symptoms during this week. For some moms-to-be, their hair will grow thicker and the nail grows longer. Also, your skin will be more radiant and fluffy. Here are the other symptoms that you might go through this week:

Dry and sensitive eyes. During this week, please expect dry and itchy eyes, due to the imbalance hormone.
Breasts are getting bigger. Your breasts have probably gone up several sizes by now. Worry not as they are getting ready for breastfeeding by the end of the second trimester.
Glowing even more! Increases of blood flow and the hormone during this stage makes you (and your pregnancy) look more dewy and fabulous.
Breakout. You might be experiencing some breakout or acne during this period. If you are going to try acne product, you can have a proper discussion with your doctor before using them. This is because, some product is not safe to be used during pregnancy.
Backache. An aching back is a common side effect of your changing hormones. It may also be related to your breasts and belly growing in size. Try low impact exercise and make sure to stretch regularly.

Things to do This Week

Talk to your baby. Your baby is hearing everything now. So spend some time talking to ‘your belly’. Read some story and listen to calming songs such as waterfall, bird chirping, or even better (for Muslim), let your baby listen to zikrullah or Quranic verses.
Track your weight. You need to be more careful with your weight – not to overeat, or loss too much. Look for more healthier food such as salads, grilled veggies, whole grain bread or fruits. Avoid creamy soups unless it is made of milk or yogurt, in lieu of heavy cream and butter.
Prepare for the quad screen. The quad screen is a blood test that measures the levels of four substances produced by the fetus and the placenta, and passed into the mother’s bloodstream. This test is to tell you the probability whether you are carrying a child with a chromosomal abnormality or neural tube defect. Although the screening genetic test is done between week 15 and week 22, the most accurate result can be obtained in week 16 and week 18.

Some Tips for Week 16

Shopping. You Since your body and breast are growing, this is the time for you to start shopping for new maternity bra and dresses. It is advisable to not buying a wired-bra as it could damage the tender breast’s tissue. Ask help from the shop’s assistant on how you can get a proper, comfortable, and breathable bra.
Go for a date with your partner. This is the only relaxing time for both of you, until you give birth. So, take this opportunity to spend some romantic time with your husband. You both can go for a vacation, watching movies, cooking together, and many more!

Stay tuned with us for the next baby and mother’s development when you are 17 weeks pregnant. Meanwhile, visit Motherhood.com.my for the perfect and comfortable maternity bras, maternity clothing, and perhaps, some of the baby essentials for your future newborn.