Welcome to your second trimester of pregnancy! Your fetus is now the size of a lemon or a Belgian waffle and is starting to look like a baby. Pregnancy is a time of great change in a woman’s body, and with each passing week new symptoms and changes appear. By 16 weeks pregnancy, most women feel more comfortable with their pregnancy and experience a reduction in some early pregnancy symptoms.
However, there are many symptoms that arise at this stage of pregnancy that you should be aware of. While you are gaining weight, your little miracle’s eyes begin growing and he or she can perceive light. And this is quite fantastic!
In this article, we will discuss some common symptoms experienced by 16 week pregnancy women as well as some warning signs that require medical attention.
Week 16 related to your child
At this stage, the baby’s body is almost independent. The kidneys work and produce urine. The spine and small back muscles are getting stronger so your baby can now straighten both the head and neck and more. The head hair begins to grow and get color. The facial muscles are developing too and the small bones in the baby’s ears are properly placed and begin to function, although they are not fully developed.
Read Also: Role of Blood Test in Pregnancy: What Tests are Recommended and Why?
So if you’ve dreamed of having conversations with your baby, he or she can finally hear you. His or her tiny little hands and feet are well developed now and often moving, so you will be able to feel the baby’s activity in the coming weeks. These movements could be a response to the sound of your voice. And you could finally find out the gender of your baby by an NHS ultrasound. Anyways, don’t mind if it’s not possible yet. The child’s position during the ultrasound is the most important aspect and there is no way to influence this.
Week 16 related to your body
You’ve been told that you look great now? The pregnancy glow is real and is due to the increased amount of blood reaching the skin. You feel better now when your hormone levels have been balanced and your morning sickness has improved. If you don’t feel the baby’s movements, you will start very soon! And here is how the most wonderful moments of pregnancy start.
Read Also: 10 Physical Changes to Expect in Your Body During Pregnancy
At this time, your appetite may be increasing and you will start to feel those “pregnancy pounds”. Accept the new shape of your body as a new challenge and think that every pound is a sign of health for both your baby and yourself. During pregnancy, most women need to eat around 300 extra calories per day. However, the total amount of calories may vary depending on your weight and activity level.
However, if you gain too much weight, it is not advisable to eat a low-calorie diet or skip certain meals. Instead of doing this, the following tips might help you:
- Start your day with a healthy breakfast that includes protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber and a small amount of healthy fats
- Eat vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and try to avoid processed foods, pre-packaged foods or sweets high in sugar
- Have healthy snacks such as cheese or skimmed yogurt, carrots, fresh fruits and you will be less tempted to eat junk food
- Choose a healthy and tasty alternative to fatty foods. For example, frozen yogurt instead of ice cream, a bun instead of a donut or popcorn instead of chips
- Drink water instead of juice.
Read Also: 5 Incredible Baby Care Checklists
If, on the other hand, your weight does not increase as normal, we have some tips too:
- Drink a milkshake every day for energy and calcium. Add fresh fruits for vitamins.
- Eat nutrient-rich foods that contain healthy fats, such as avocado or nuts. Try to eat dried fruits – you will tend to eat more than you would eat if the fruits were fresh and so you will eat more healthy calories
- Have more snacks than usual
- Always remember that weight gain in pregnancy is inevitable. And also necessary. Your baby and the way he or she develops may depend on it.
Read Also: Exercises During Pregnancy – Is It Safe and Healthy?
Always talk to your doctor about your weight. Your doctor can help you pay attention to weight gain if it happens to be too much. What you can do is eat healthy and have regular prenatal check-ups. To maintain a healthy weight, the doctor will give you some tips on increasing or reducing the number of calories you consume. Of course, you can also consult a nutritionist to help you.
We sincerely recommend you: DO NOT compare you to other pregnant women! You are different, so are your bodies. Buy things that will please you and make you feel good and try to choose the right clothes and lingerie. And love yourself! You have every single reason to do it.
16 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
You may get backache or pack pain now and this could be uncomfortable, but it is very common. Make some time for easy physical exercises, such as low back stretches. You may also experience constipation because of your worry, anxiety, low-fiber diet and uterus pressing the bowels. Your cardiovascular system is having major changes during this trimester and your blood pressure will be lower than usual.
Do not get up too fast because you might get a little dizzy. Your heart needs to pump up to 30-40% more blood, which means extra effort and energy. What may seem to you like some kind of “gas” in your stomach might be the baby who “performs” some exercises? Remember the date of his or her first movements – it can be relevant to your doctor or midwife. It is good to know that a stuffy nose is quite common during pregnancy as well as nasal bleeding.
What to do in your 16 weeks of pregnancy?
Now it’s time to enjoy your pregnancy! Plan a romantic date with your partner, outside the city or even at home. When the child will be born, it will be very difficult for you to leave even for a weekend. Don’t miss this chance to be just you two. This period is good also for holidays at sea or in the mountains. The annoying symptoms from the first few weeks are probably gone and you are starting to recover your energy. In your third trimester, you will feel too tired to have long trips. Enjoy these moments, stay active through walks, swimming or yoga. Your tummy is growing so you can also look for some pregnant clothes. In your third trimester, you will feel too tired to have long trips.
