Congratulations, you’ve made it to Week 16 of your pregnancy! This is a significant milestone in the journey towards having a baby and at this point, your baby is now the size of an avocado! In this week by week pregnancy guide, we’ll look at what changes you can expect to see and how your baby is developing. We’ll also take a look at what symptoms you are likely to experience at this point in your pregnancy.
From week 16, you may be feeling more energetic as many women experience a burst of energy during the second trimester as a lot of the symptoms from the first trimester start to diminish. However, you may also start experiencing some new symptoms such as headaches and constipation. Some tips on how to manage these include drinking plenty of fluids, eating fibrous foods, getting plenty of rest when needed and remaining active. If you are experiencing persistent headaches then you should seek medical advice from your GP or midwife.
Your baby is continuing to grow rapidly and they should be around 10-11cm long now! This week their nervous system continues to develop and they are regularly moving their arms and legs and their little hands will start to form fists! A lot of women start to feel their baby’s movements around week 17 so you haven’t got long to go until you start noticing those movements for yourself! If this isn’t your first pregnancy then you may even start to recognise their movements sooner. At this point in time, if you have a private ultrasound scan it should reveal whether you are carrying a boy or a girl!
Now is a good time to start considering stem cell banking for your baby. As an expectant parent, it is natural to want to do everything you can to ensure your child has a happy, healthy life. You may have heard about banking stem cells, but what exactly does that mean and why should you consider it? Let’s take a look at the potential benefits of banking stem cells for your baby. By banking your baby’s stem cells, you could potentially save their life one day if they become unwell. Stem cell therapy has been used to successfully treat many different diseases and conditions, so having access to these stem cells could be invaluable if your child ever needs them in the future. Furthermore, stem cell banking offers parents peace of mind knowing that their child’s stem cells will always be available in case they ever need them. You can click here to find out more.
Week 16 marks an exciting milestone in any mother-to-be’s journey! Make sure that you take care of yourself by staying active with safe exercises recommended by your doctor or midwife, eating healthily and taking time out each day to relax and unwind.
References
NHS Start4Life – https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/2nd-trimester/week-16/
