Pregnancy week by week · trimester 2
🥑 16 weeks pregnant: your baby is about the size of an avocado
At 16 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of an avocado, can make facial expressions and may soon start to hear. You will usually have a 16 week antenatal appointment.
Your baby this week
Your baby is about the size of an avocado, around 11.6cm long and about 100g. The face is more expressive, and your baby can make little facial movements. The ears are moving into their final position, and your baby may soon begin to sense sounds, such as your heartbeat and voice. The nervous system is maturing, so movements are becoming more coordinated. The skin is still very thin and delicate, and the heart is pumping lots of blood every day.
You this week
Many mums feel the famous second trimester glow, with more energy and a growing bump. Some feel the first flutters of movement from around now, often described as bubbles or a fish swimming, though many will not notice anything for a few more weeks. Backache, indigestion and a blocked nose are all common. You might notice your hair feels thicker. It is a lovely time to rest into, and enjoy a little.
Kind things to do this week
- Book your whooping cough vaccine, which is offered from 16 weeks (ideally by 32 weeks) to help protect your baby after birth.
- Ask about the flu vaccine if it is flu season; you can have it at any stage of pregnancy.
- Try gentle movement most days; it can ease backache and lift your mood.
Appointments around now
Your 16 week appointment is with your midwife, who will go over your screening results, check your blood pressure and urine, and talk about your anomaly scan at 18 to 21 weeks. The whooping cough vaccine is offered from 16 weeks.
Questions to ask your midwife
- Can you explain my screening results?
- Where and when should I have my whooping cough and flu vaccines?
When to call your midwife or maternity unit
Contact your midwife or maternity unit if you have any bleeding, tummy pain that does not settle, or fluid leaking from your vagina. They would always rather hear from you.
OBubba from bump to baby
Follow your pregnancy week by week, free.
OBubba is free through pregnancy, with a weekly update, kick counting and contraction timing. On the day your baby arrives, the same app becomes your baby tracker.
Questions
When will I feel my baby move?
Most mums first feel movement between 16 and 24 weeks. If this is your first baby, it may be closer to 20 weeks or a little later.
Is the whooping cough vaccine safe in pregnancy?
Yes. It is recommended by the NHS from 16 weeks, and it passes protection to your baby to help keep them safe in their first weeks.
Not sure how far along you are? Use the due date calculator.
Sources
OBubba gives general information. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Your midwife and maternity unit are always the right people to ask, any time of day or night.