In this article you will be able to read about everything related to your pregnancy in week 16. You'll find information about the baby's development, how the mother's body is changing and tips you might need along the way. When you are 16 weeks pregnant, the fetus is the size of an avocado.

Baby: The fetus now weighs 100 g!

The fetus is about 12-14 cm long and now weighs around 100 grams!

The eyes, which were previously on either side of the head, have been moved to the front of the face and the ears have been moved to their proper place on the sides of the head.

The child's movements

The fetus becomes more active with each passing day, practicing the movements it is capable of. Despite this active lifestyle, the fetus is not able to control its own movements; instead, its movements are controlled by reflexes. This is because the nervous system is not yet sufficiently developed. It is believed that the nervous system is fully developed in pregnancy after the 25th week of gestation, when basic consciousness has been observed in the fetus in various studies. It has also been observed that the foetus makes certain conscious movements such as turning its face towards the voice it recognizes or responding in movements linked to a familiar voice or sound.

The nervous system then develops over many years after birth and research shows that a person's brain and nervous system are fully developed by the age of 25.

The child perceives sound

Can you imagine that the baby in the womb can already hear sounds? These are mainly sounds coming from the umbilical cord, the placenta, bowel sounds and the mother's heartbeat. The fetus is protected from high noise levels by the amniotic membranes, the amniotic fluid, the uterus and the pregnant belly - so you never have to worry about the baby being affected by being in noisy environments. The level of sound the baby hears can be compared to how you hear under water. Around week 24, the baby will be able to hear outside voices.

Mom: Pregnant in week 16

For your body to be able to supply oxygen to both you and the baby, your heart now needs to have about 20 % more capacity than when you were not pregnant. This means that your heart will beat at 10-20 more beats per minute!

You will notice this in the form of a higher resting heart rate, or a more vigorous heartbeat with each beat. You may also notice that your heart rate and breathing quickly become faster than you are used to when you are moving. This does not mean that your fitness level has decreased, but that your heart is pumping more fluid around in your blood.

Diet/calcium

It is very good to eat foods containing calcium during pregnancy, as calcium helps to develop and strengthen the fetal bones. You can find calcium in foods such as dairy products, leafy vegetables and nuts.

Teeth and gums during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the mucous membranes in your mouth swell and you may notice that your gums bleed more easily when you brush your teeth, for example. It is common to get inflammation in the gums but also in the teeth, which can make them more susceptible to plaque and bacteria. That's why it's a good idea to take extra care of your oral hygiene during your pregnancy!

For some, this can be difficult as many people may feel unwell or be too tired to take care of their oral hygiene. Try to remember that good oral hygiene can help you avoid other problems.

Hormones and heartburn

The pregnancy-preserving hormone progesterone causes smooth muscles to relax, such as the bladder, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract and stomach lining. The stomach lining is normally closed, but it softens during pregnancy, which means it doesn't close tightly and stomach acid can seep through - this is what causes heartburn and acid reflux. Heartburn can also be painful in the area around the chest where the esophagus passes, and over the stomach lining.

If you experience acid reflux and/or heartburn, it may be wise to avoid eating highly spiced and fatty foods. You might also consider eating smaller portions more often if you have symptoms, and if you drink coffee, it's a good idea to reduce the amount you drink.

Another way to relieve heartburn is to sleep with your head elevated, as this prevents stomach acid from leaking through the upper stomach in the same way. Over-the-counter medicines are available in pharmacies if the symptoms get too bad! Ask the staff and tell them you are pregnant to get help with your symptoms.

You can read about week 15 here.

You can read about week 17 here.