16 Weeks Pregnant

Baby's Hearing Develops

This little one's a looker — with a face that has both eyebrows and eyelashes — but a skinny looker since there's no baby fat yet. Baby's crown-to-rump measurement is between four and five inches, and weight is around three ounces.

Listen up: Tiny bones in your fetus's ears are in place this week, making it likely that the baby can hear your voice when you're speaking (or singing in the shower)at 16 weeks pregnant. In fact, studies have found that babies who are sung to while they're in the womb recognize the same tune when it's sung to them after they are born (so choose your baby Muzak with that in mind…). 
 
And baby's busily boning up in other ways. For one, the backbone (along with the back muscles) is stronger now — strong enough, in fact, to enable your baby to work on straightening his or her head and neck even more. Baby's crown-to-rump measurement is between four and five inches in length, and weight is hovering around three ounces.
This little one's a looker — with a face that has both eyebrows and eyelashes — but a skinny looker since there's no baby fat yet. And here's the skinny on baby skin: It's practically translucent now, so if you took a peek inside your uterus, you'd be able to see your baby's blood vessels under that thin skin.

What is happenning now? You are now 16 weeks pregnant, which is the beginning of week 17. Your baby is about 17 cm long (6.7 inches) from head to toe and weighs approximately 200 grams (or 7 ounces). Your baby is now bigger than their placenta, but you could still cradle them in one hand. The amniotic fluid around your baby is increasing, allowing them to move freely, floating like an astronaut in space. However, most women can't feel these movements just yet. Your baby's umbilical cord is now completely mature. Their cord contains two arteries and one vein, enclosed and protected by a thick, gristle-like substance called Wharton's Jelly. This makes the cord slippery and allows it to move freely around your baby and resist compression. Did you know? The cord contains no nerves (similar to your hair or fingernails) so when it is cut after the birth there is no pain experienced by either mother or baby.

Physical changes

If you lie down, the top of your uterus (or fundus) can be felt about half-way between your pubic bone and belly button. It may be harder for you to bend over now to pick things up (or lift your toddler). Always, use your legs to bend to help protect your back.

Make your Stick Figure Family at FreeFlashToys.com