16 Weeks Pregnant – Pregnancy Symptoms and Baby Development

What’s new this week?

Your body

Who knew pregnancy could even affect your nose? It’s true: many women suffer from nasal congestion and nosebleeds at this stage of the game. They’re caused by pregnancy hormones and increased blood flow, which can cause the mucous membranes in your nose to swell. And suddenly you may feel constantly stuffy and you may be more prone to nosebleeds. With more blood pressure around the nose area, it may not take much, such as a good blow to a tissue, to tear them and cause a gusher. Both things are more occasional annoyances than anything else. But if congestion or bleeding is so common that it really bothers you, see your doctor before going to the drugstore for something to relieve your nasal problems. Even some of the seemingly harmless OTC remedies may be off limits to pregnant women. Another annoying symptom you may experience is: gastric acid. Thanks to pregnancy hormones, the digestive slowdown that occurs can make the muscles more relaxed and cause digestive acids to travel up your esophagus and ouch, burn, burn, burn in your chest. Plus (especially as you get bigger) your growing uterus can crowd out the belly and push stomach acid up. Again, talk to your healthcare provider about how to get your gastric acid. But eating small, frequent meals, avoiding spicy or super-acidic foods, being active, and sitting and sleeping with your upper body propped up a bit can all help and also prevent you from lying down for a few hours after eating. And if it bothers you, get your doctor permission to store antacids everywhere — your desk at work, the glove compartment, your purse — so you never run out. (Read here Heartburn During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, Home Remedies)

DID YOU KNOW?

4⅓-4⅔ inches

Height of your baby

2¾ ounces

Weight of your baby Gewicht

avocado

Size of your baby

your baby

By this week, your baby’s spine will be stronger, so she can work on straightening her neck and keeping her head more upright — instead of rounded down like before. Her skeleton and nervous system continue to develop, allowing her to move in a coordinated manner. The eyes, which were wide apart when they first started developing, have migrated closer to the front of her face. And although her eyelids are closed, her eyes can make small side-by-side movements and she perceives some light. Around this time, your baby may also get the hiccups. You won’t hear them – since she’s breathing amniotic fluid, not air – but don’t worry, they don’t bother her. Like thumb sucking, this is another fun event you can see on an ultrasound if the timing is right.

Your life right now

Do you feel a little short of breath? Around this time, a simple trek across the parking lot — or the stairs in your house — might leave you breathless. Even though you may not be carrying that much weight anymore, changes in breathing are common. According to the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, nearly two-thirds of expectant mothers experience shortness of breath. What’s behind all that panting and puffing? For starters, your expanding uterus pushes against your diaphragm enough to change your breathing. Also at this stage of your pregnancy, the increase in lung capacity allows you to inhale and exhale as much as 30 to 40 percent more, bringing extra life-sustaining oxygen into your blood (and ultimately to your baby) and more remove carbon dioxide than normal. It’s a natural genius thing your body does! But in the process, your respiratory system has to readjust as the depth and frequency of your breathing increases, causing that shortness of breath. Take it easy! It’s nothing to worry about.

Moms Like Me/ I wish I had known

“I wish someone had told me to appreciate my first pregnancy more. The second time around, you’re so preoccupied with your first child that it’s hard to do much, much less take care of yourself.”