Pregnancy calendar - Week 16

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week 4
week 5
week 6
week 7
week 8
week 9
week 10
week 11
week 12
week 13
week 14
week 15
week 16
week 17
week 18
week 19
week 20
week 21
week 22
week 23
week 24
week 25
week 26
week 27
week 28
week 29
week 30
week 31
week 32
week 33
week 34
week 35
week 36
week 37
week 38
week 39
week 40

Your baby’s development

At 16 weeks pregnant your baby is now around 15cm long and has tiny little fingernails and toenails at the end of their growing hands and feet. Although it may be still too early to feel your baby inside you, they can now turn their head and exercise all 40 sets of muscles. Although their eyelids are still closed, they can sense light from outside their cosy little world. Your baby now has tastebuds and is starting to make different facial expressions as facial muscles develop and eyebrows form – all of which makes them look more baby-like. Your baby is busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid which helps their lungs develop. Their legs are growing longer than their arms and, in anticipation for all those kicks later in your pregnancy, your baby can move all of their joints!

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You & your body

Many women say that they get pregnancy food cravings, ranging from hot, spicy curries to ripe, juicy peaches – even marmite and beer (it’s a yeast thing).

If the craving is not all-consuming, it can usually be indulged without too much concern – although your partner may not appreciate being woken in the night to be told to go out and buy you cheese and onion crisps! Just try and make sure you’re eating a healthy, balanced diet too.

Some women suffer from ‘pica’, a craving for non-food including plaster and paint chips from walls, clay, coal, washing powder and chalk. It’s sometimes suggested that the craving is the result of a mineral deficiency, but needless to say, it’s best to resist these urges! If you feel you have these cravings, do discuss them with your midwife.

Did you know?

Lots of mums-to-be feel as if their memory isn’t as sharp as usual and your concentration span might not be as good either. Some research says it may be due to your brain changing size while you’re expecting, but it may be the simple fact of having a lot on your mind about the future or just nature’s way of slowing you down!