Pregnant in week 16? This article covers your baby’s development, changes in your body, and what to pay attention to at this stage.

Baby: The foetus is approximately 12–14 cm long and now weighs around 100 grams!

The eyes that 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.

Baby’s movements

The foetus becomes more active with each passing day and practices the movements it can handle. Despite the active lifestyle, the foetus itself cannot control its movements, instead it is reflexes that control the movements. This is because the nervous system is not yet sufficiently developed.
It is believed that the baby’s nervous system is fully developed after the 25th week of pregnancy. This is because basic awareness has been observed in the foetus in various studies. It has also been seen that the foetus makes certain conscious movements such as turning its face towards the voice it recognises or responding in movements linked to a familiar voice or sound.

The nervous system continues to develop for many years after birth, and there is research that shows that a person’s brain and nervous system are fully developed by the age of 25.

Your baby perceives sounds

Can you imagine that the baby in the womb can already hear sounds? These are primarily sounds coming from the umbilical cord, the placenta, bowel sounds and the pulse from the mother. The foetus is protected from high noise levels by the amniotic membranes, the amniotic fluid, the uterus and the pregnant woman’s stomach – therefore you never have to worry that it would affect the baby if you stay in loud environments. The level of the sound that your child hears can be compared to how you hear underwater. Around week 24, the baby will be able to perceive voices from outside.

Mom: In order 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 the heart will beat with 10-20 more beats per minute!

You will feel this in the form of your resting heart rate being higher, or the heart beating more powerfully with each beat. You can also feel that you quickly get a higher pulse and breathing than you are used to when you move. This does not mean that your condition has deteriorated, but that the heart is pumping around an increased amount of fluid in the blood.

Diet/calcium

It is very good to eat foods that contain calcium during pregnancy, as calcium contributes to developing and strengthening the bones of the foetus. You can find calcium in foods such as dairy products, leafy greens and nuts.

Teeth and gums during pregnancy

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

For some, it may feel difficult as many may feel unwell or be too tired to take care of oral hygiene. Then try to remember that careful oral hygiene can prevent you from other troublesome problems.

Hormones and Heartburn

The pregnancy-preserving hormone progesterone causes smooth muscle to begin to relax, such as the bladder, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract and mouth. The mouth of the stomach is normally closed, but softens during pregnancy, which means that it does not 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 oesophagus is, as well as over the stomach.

If you suffer from acid reflux and/or heartburn, it may be wise to avoid eating strongly spiced and fatty foods. You can also think about eating smaller portions more often if you have problems, and if you drink coffee it is good to reduce the amount.

Another way to relieve the problems of heartburn is to sleep with the end of the bed elevated, because then the stomach acid does not leak through the upper stomach mouth in the same way. In pharmacies, there are over-the-counter medicines if the problems become too troublesome! Consult the staff and tell them you are pregnant and you will get help with your symptoms.

Partner: In the middle of pregnancy, it can feel like time goes by at a snail’s pace, but sometimes it goes by faster than you might think

Think you’re already in your fourth month? It’s not too long until you will meet your baby for the first time!

Did you break the news at work?

If you work, now may be the time to schedule a meeting with your manager or HR department and inform them about your pregnancy and upcoming baby. It can be nice not to have to stress about planning in the last few weeks of pregnancy when your focus is often elsewhere. Is it possible to work shorter days or do flexible working hours in the period after your baby is born so that you can help more at home with your baby if necessary?

Preparing for your due date

Preparing for your baby’s arrival is a wonderful way to feel involved in the pregnancy while waiting for your baby to arrive. Studies show that parenting and the relationship between parents is strengthened by finding your own relationship with your baby right from the start.

There is a lot you can do on your own to create this strong bond, even during pregnancy! In addition to preparing and “nesting”, you can talk to your baby and visualise what life with your child will look like. Let yourself fantasise and dream about the new member of your family.