16 weeks pregnant: Baby’s development, symptoms and top tips

Your baby is approaching 12 cm long, about the size of an avocado, and they weigh around 100g. They’re keeping busy in there – using the space they have to do somersaults. Their legs are now longer than their arms, and they’re happily moving this way and that way in the amniotic cavity without interruption.

If you were to study your baby’s face this week, you would see a whole range of expressions, including smiling and frowning. It’s all completely random, though, as they have no muscle control yet. This week your baby’s head is a bit more erect and their ears are close to reaching their final position. Their nervous system is continuing to develop, and it won’t be long now before you start feeling them move.

You might begin to feel tiny fluttering movements in your stomach as your baby moves around – which is sometimes called “quickening”. Some women say it feels like butterflies or bubbles inside, though for some it's more akin to popcorn popping!

If this is your first baby, don't worry if you don't feel anything for a few more weeks. Those first movements can be hard to identify if you've never felt them before!

Back pain

You may be experiencing some lower back pain and/or pain around your bump as your round ligaments – which attach your uterus to your pelvis – adapt to your growing womb. Some people rarely feel this stretch, for some the pain eases off as the ligaments stretch, while for others it’s a recurring feeling throughout pregnancy. Though it can be uncomfortable, it’s not anything to worry about. You might find you need additional support – such as a belly band – to ease the pressure.

Itchy belly, breasts and thighs

As your skin stretches to accommodate growth in various parts of your body, you might find it becomes itchy. Your belly, breasts and thighs are prime areas for stretch marks, and you might find a high-quality body oil or body milk helps relieve the itch. If your itching isn’t relieved by cream and feels abnormal, talk to your midwife. Rarely, itching can be a sign of a liver disorder that can occur during pregnancy, so if you’re concerned, seek help.

Sore breasts

Have you noticed any colostrum (the first form of breastmilk) leaking from your nipples? Sometimes this change is accompanied by tenderness, although tenderness can also be caused by the rapid growth of your breasts. Colostrum is nature’s wonder product and as well as providing everything your baby needs in their first feeds, it’s also very soothing to sore and itchy skin so you could try rubbing it in.

Don’t leave your nipples wet, though, as they could chafe against your bra. If you’re experiencing a lot of leakage, get some maternity pads to absorb the milk to prevent further irritation.

Skin, hair and nail changes

Hormones, increased blood flow, and increased oil production can all change the way your skin looks during pregnancy. You might find people complimenting you on your ‘pregnancy glow’, or you might find your skin has reverted to teenaged behaviour and you’re suddenly having breakouts for the first time in years. Treat your skin gently and avoid using harsh products.

Your nails and hair may also be changing. Hair loss tends to slow during pregnancy, so suddenly you have more hair than usual (try not to panic postpartum when it all starts falling out!!). Nails may become harder or more brittle, depending on a number of things, including your nutrient intake.

Activity levels in week 16

Depending on your personal wellbeing and fitness, you can still enjoy doing everything you want to do in week 16, whether it’s a trip abroad (it's best to check with your doctor or midwife first), hiking, playing sports or swimming. However, extreme or contact sports are probably best avoided, especially if you didn’t do them regularly before your pregnancy.

Whenever you travel by car, make sure your seatbelt goes between your breasts and under your bump, resting on your pubic bone. This is the best way to protect your sensitive tissue and your baby. There are special devices to keep the seatbelt in exactly the right position. 

Clothing and undergarments

It will now be obvious that your belly is developing into your bump. Your trousers and skirts will get tighter, and though you can buy inserts to extend the waistband of your trousers. this won’t work for long. It’s time to start stocking up on maternity wear. This doesn’t just mean trousers and skirts – you’ll also need loose-fitting tops, as your growing breasts will need more space inside your top. 

Don’t neglect comfortable sleepwear, including a sleep bra if you need additional nighttime support. Remember that maternity bras have no underwire, so they don’t cut into your sensitive breast tissue, and that your breasts will continue growing throughout pregnancy and then after the birth when your milk comes in – so buy something with plenty of stretch. Go into a store where you can be properly fitted to make sure you’re not wasting money on something that won’t last.

Eating well is always important, but especially so when your body is busy growing a small person. As you have been for the last few months, it’s important you keep up with your balanced diet and recommended supplements so that you get all the nutrients you need to support your body and your baby through this pregnancy.

Of course, a little of what you fancy will do you no harm. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you might like to treat yourself to a delicious pudding after a healthy meal. It’s a good idea to find healthy snacks, though, so you’re not using chocolate and cake to get you from one meal to the next. Fruit, nuts, and veg sticks with hummus are all examples of ‘good calories’ that you can use to tide you over.

If, for some reason, you missed out on the combined screening test that screens for Down’s Syndrome, Edward’s Syndrome and Patau’s Syndrome – usually offered between 10 and 14 weeks – you can have the quadruple screening test (or quadruple test) between 14 and 20 weeks.

This screening test only checks your chances of having a baby with Down’s Syndrome (i.e. not for Edward’s and Patau’s Syndrome). It’s called the quad screening test because it measures four substances in your blood (via a regular blood test – totally safe) to calculate your risk. This test is optional.

It would only be recommended to people who have missed the combined screening test, or whose nuchal translucency scan (where they measure the fluid at the back of the baby’s neck during the 12-week scan) wasn’t sufficient, usually due to the position of the baby during the scan.

Where is my baby positioned at 16 weeks?

At 16 weeks, the foetus is still safely inside the amniotic sac within your uterus, which is beginning to grow beyond the enclosure of your pelvis. In a few weeks, your midwife might start measuring your bump, using the pubic bone as the base of the measurement and the top of the uterus as the top.

Is it safe to travel at 16 weeks pregnant?

Now is a good time to take a holiday. It’s safe to fly and your bump shouldn’t yet be at the uncomfortable stage. However, check with your GP or midwife before you decide on a destination if you’re thinking of going somewhere that might require a vaccine. Some live vaccines are not suitable during pregnancy.

What happens at 16-week midwife appointment?

This is an exciting appointment, as your midwife should be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat through a Doppler – and with the volume turned up, so will you.

Your midwife will check your blood pressure and test your urine to make sure there’s no signs of pre-eclampsia. Usually your midwife will want you to attend the appointment with a urine sample ready, so make sure you’ve prepared by picking up a sample pot in advance. You’ll find weeing into a jug much easier than trying to aim into a tiny pot, and as you’ve got so many urine samples ahead of you, you may as well buy a special jug to keep in the bathroom for this purpose.

Also at this appointment you’ll be able to discuss the results of any screening tests, and ask any questions you’ve been pondering.

What not to do at 16 weeks pregnant?

Other than the usual advice – avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, specific foods and too much caffeine – you can carry on pretty much as usual at 16 weeks pregnant.

This is probably a good time to talk to your employer, if you haven’t already, as they may want to take special precautions or at least carry out a risk assessment at your workplace.

How should I sleep at 16 weeks pregnant?

You can continue back sleeping until the end of your second trimester, if that’s what you find comfortable. From 28 weeks, side sleeping is recommended.

Got questions? At the HiPPBabyClub, we bring you real-world advice and support from HiPP parents, midwives, nutritionists and more. Join our Baby Club to find out more.