Week 16 of Your Pregnancy
175
Days to go
114
gms
Pregnancy Symptoms
Few of the symptoms which you may notice at sixteen weeks are:
Skin Radiance
Throughout pregnancy, an increase in various hormone levels can cause increased blood flow to the skin beneath your face resulting in a pregnancy glow. In addition, the oil glands under the skin work more actively, which adds to the glow factor.
Heavy breasts and continued breast growth
Your breasts continue to grow as they get ready to feed your little one in the future. Enlargement of breasts results in stretching of the skin and related itchiness which can cause discomfort to the pregnant woman.
Pregnancy brain/forgetfulness
Though not very common, some pregnant women seem to experience memory loss, reduced cognitive abilities, fogginess, and loss of attention. The exact reason behind this phenomenon is not known, and experts say that pregnancy results in a reduction in grey matter in the brain to help bond with the baby and prepare for the stressful period post-childbirth.
Gingivitis
Tooth problems are quite common and are seen in many women during pregnancy. Due to the increased blood flow, gums become sensitive and tend to bleed. Hence, it is important to follow proper oral care during pregnancy.
Vaginal discharge
As your pregnancy progresses, vaginal discharge increases, and it will be more at the end of the pregnancy. You should consult your doctor if you observe a change in color and consistency and if you experience any itching or irritation around the vaginal area.
Back pain
For most pregnant women, lower back pain starts around this time. Your growing uterus puts pressure on your lower back. Along with this, hormonal changes will cause you to experience this pain. You can ask your gynecologist for advice on effective ways to manage pain and stay comfortable through this phase.
Varicose veins
Your uterus is growing, and it's natural for the pressure to build up on the nearby organs. As and when it expands, it puts a bit of pressure on leg veins, making them look knotty and prominent.
Dizziness
Dizzy spells are common during pregnancy. Take care, and do not rush while doing any work. Slow down, as your body is still adjusting to hosting a new life inside.
Constipation
Wonder why things are not working well with your digestive system? Blame the pregnancy hormones, they prepare your body to take care of the new life inside, and this muddles your metabolism a bit. However, you can get rid of constipation by inculcating a few lifestyle changes.
Baby's Development
How big is your baby?
Baby’s Length: 4.5 inches(11.5 cm)
Baby’s Weight: 114 gms.
Your baby is now the size of an Avocado. Your baby-to-be is looking more baby-like with a face that has eyes and ears in the right spot. Following are the development of your fetus this week.
Your baby’s eyes are moving and eye aperture is drastically increasing. And even though the eyelids are still fused, the baby can sense light.
By this week the baby may be able to make sucking motion, a habit which will continue even after it’s born! The baby is stretching more and more as it flexes its body. The muscles are getting stronger too.
Baby’s circulatory system is up and running now, and its heart is now pumping around 23 liters of blood every day.
The baby’s skin is still translucent and one maybe able to see the blood vessels under the baby’s skin if they could take a peep inside the womb.
Backbone/spine is gaining strength gradually. The muscles in the back are also getting strong, enabling the baby to now straighten their head and neck even more.
Baby’s facial muscles are developing and it is busy practicing facial expressions like frowns, smiles, and squints.
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