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You are now in week 16 - and you are slowly realising more and more how your pregnancy is shaping your everyday life. Your baby is making progress. And this is noticeable in the size of your belly.
In the 16th week of pregnancy, the foetus has grown and gained a few more grams: At 12 cm and 80 grams, it is about the size of an apple. Towards the end of the 16th week of pregnancy, the weight can be up to 100 grams, because your baby is now slowly becoming stronger and stronger and the skeleton is becoming increasingly firm. However, if your baby weighs a little more or less, this is no cause for concern - because a baby's development becomes increasingly individualised as the pregnancy progresses.
As the foetus's muscles become stronger, it can move its head and neck - a step forward, as the upper part of the body was previously in a bent position. As a first-time mum, you may not feel your baby's slight movements until later. If you are already a mum, you may already notice the slightest fluttering when your baby presses against the uterus, for example. But don't worry if it's different: noticeable movements usually take a while to appear.
Your little miracle's ears are already well developed. However, it will still take some time before the sense of hearing is fully developed. In the current week of pregnancy, sound is still transmitted via the baby's skull bone. This means that the baby is able to perceive sounds via sound transmission. Please note, however, that it is most likely to perceive sounds in the immediate vicinity. These include, for example, your heartbeat or the sound of your blood. It will also hear your voice and get to know it better. So feel free to start talking to your baby or singing to them.
Many pregnant women can notice a small bulge in their baby bump in the mirror and on their increasingly tight outer clothing during the 16th week of pregnancy. As your uterus continues to grow, you may feel a slight stretching pain in the maternal ligaments, which are located on the side of your abdomen. This is not unusual: the maternal ligaments, which are strands of muscle fibres that now anchor the uterus to your pelvic floor, often cause a pulling or stabbing pain in the lower abdomen.
In week 16 it is not uncommon for some of the previous symptoms to return. This is also often due to the growing uterus, which creates even more space for your baby. As soon as the uterus presses against your digestive organs, for example, they may work a little more slowly. Sometimes, however, the bowel also reacts by working faster. The initial constipation can now turn into frequent urge to defecate.
Tip: It is now important that you adjust your diet. Focus on a high-fibre diet if you are dealing with sluggish digestion. If you suffer from diarrhoea due to an irritated bowel, you will lose a lot of salt and important nutrients such as potassium. To rebalance your electrolyte levels, it is advisable to reach for mild foods as a remedy - such as rusks, savoury sticks or vegetable broth.
It is possible that you are suffering from back pain in the current week of pregnancy. The same applies here: you are gaining weight, your uterus is making space - and your body often reacts with pain in your upper body. Relaxation and light sports exercises will help you to feel more comfortable in your body again. Try to reduce emotional stress. This stress can exacerbate physical stress symptoms. For example, if you are worried about the upcoming birth or caring for your baby afterwards, this is understandable. So get the knowledge now that can calm you down and organise time out during the day. During this time, you can focus on nice thoughts about your baby and plan important things in a relaxed manner. Tip: Here you can find out everything you need to know about infant care - For example, how to change your baby's nappy properly, how to bathe your baby properly or what you need for your baby's first equipment. Would you like to know what you can do in the second trimester to help you and your baby have a good birth? Then now is the time to take care of your Online birth preparation course to take care of.
The 4th week of pregnancy is between the 17th and 20th week. Preventive medical check-up on. Therefore, make an appointment in good time to have your baby's development checked. Additional tip for you: Find out everything you need to know about prenatal care here.
You don't have any special examinations coming up - but you have complaints, questions or uncertainties that you need to clarify? Contact your emergency midwife now. If you have acute problems, it is also important to consult a doctor.
In the current week of pregnancy, the 3rd check-up is due, so you should make an appointment for the 16th week of pregnancy in good time. Your health insurance will also cover the costs for this as part of your antenatal care. You can ideally have this check-up with your midwife. She can now easily find your baby's heartbeat via the abdominal wall and there are no important ultrasound examinations that only the doctor can do. Also important: When you reach the 16th week of pregnancy, the time window for special prenatal diagnostic examinations becomes smaller. These include, for example, the so-called triple test (AFPplus test), which can still be carried out non-invasively up to the 17th week of pregnancy. This is a blood test of the mother. The aim is to recognise a possible risk of trisomy 21. Expectant mothers in particular, who are considered high-risk pregnant women, are more likely to have this test. However, it is usually combined with the nuchal fold test.
By the way: Don't worry about losing track when it comes to your examinations during pregnancy: All examinations are reliably documented in your maternity record.
Over the last few weeks, you may have been eagerly waiting to find out the sex of your baby. Remember: the further along you are in your pregnancy, the more likely you are to find out the sex. So if you haven't been able to find out yet, the chances are even better now. However, always remember that although this little creature has a gender, it needs your loving care regardless of this. Focusing on gender is not at all healthy for the development of your baby and your child. If you allow yourself to be surprised or if your preparation is "gender-neutral", then your child will have the best chance of developing later on. Here you can find out more about how you can help your baby to develop well and openly.
Another special feature of the 16th week of pregnancy: You may notice that you are struggling with breathing problems more and more often. Although your uterus is growing, it is still a long way from your lungs. So the shortness of breath is not yet directly due to your little foetus. But you need more oxygen to supply your body, the uterus and your baby. Your lungs have to manage this, and they are also loosened up by the pregnancy hormones. Fluid build-up in the lungs is normal to a certain extent during pregnancy. This is also due to the pregnancy hormones. Your lungs have to work harder now, with their limited functionality. No wonder you suddenly have to breathe like a steam locomotive when climbing stairs.
What else you should bear in mind now: In the 16th week of pregnancy, there are only 24 weeks left until delivery. Many mums-to-be now take the opportunity to think about the future together with their partner. It is also an exciting and important time for fathers-to-be - but it is not always easy to prepare for the upcoming birth or to function as a team. This makes it all the more important to take time for this important topic - to overcome hurdles and enjoy family happiness together. Find out more here.
These tips will help you to do something good for you and your baby during the 16th week of pregnancy:
1. strengthen leg muscles: Your legs will be particularly challenged during the coming weeks. They will have to carry you through everyday life while your baby bump gets rounder and rounder and your weight gets heavier and heavier. Therefore: strengthen your leg muscles - and also mobilise your bottom, as this stabilises your lower back. For example, ask your partner or a good friend if you can do exercises together and treat yourself to a regular, gentle workout. After pregnancy, the right Postnatal gymnastics of great importance for you, your body and your well-being.
2. adjust the sleeping position: Your belly is growing - and you realise that you may have already unconsciously adjusted your sleeping position a little. If not, the best sleeping position is usually on your side (left). The left side position is also recommended to protect the baby and take the pressure off your stomach and spine. For example, use a Side sleeper or pregnancy pillowto simplify your sleeping position. Good to know: You can usually prevent heartburn by lying on your left side, as this complaint is also not uncommon during pregnancy¹⁰.
3. enjoy a bath - but the right way: As you have already read in recent weeks, expectant mothers enjoy the second trimester of their pregnancy in particular without any major complaints. This also includes, for example, treating yourself to a bath and switching off. Important: Make sure you have a non-slip bath mat, as the bigger the belly, the harder it often is to keep your balance. By the way: A grab rail provides additional stabilisation. If it gives you more security, it may soon be worth having someone by your side when you take a bath. This could be your partner, for example. You have found the optimum bathing temperature when you can get in without hesitation.
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