Week 16 of Your Pregnancy

Thinking of kway chap, masala thosai and mee soto? Think again! Resist caving in to your food cravings – it’s best to stick to healthy options. At 16 weeks, your baby flexing almost every muscle in its body. Here’s what baby’s up to this week. 

Was that a kick? You got that right! Some of you will be able to feel your baby moving as early as the 16^th week. Your baby may start flexing its arms and fingers. Its little hands may even be able to meet, form a fist and hold each other¹. As your baby’s nervous system continues to develop, its range of movements will also progress¹.

Your Baby

At 16 weeks pregnant, the baby is the size of an avocado, measuring 10 centimeters long and weighing about 100 grams. They are growing quickly and are about to have a growth spurt.Your baby is now able to perceive sounds and soon will recognise your voice and respond to it. The ultrasound can now inform you about the gender of your child. By week 16, your baby’s eyebrows and eyelashes are starting to grow, and the eyes themselves can make small movements from side to side. While it is beginning to make cute little facial expressions, your baby can’t really control them yet.

At 16 weeks pregnant, your bump starts to become noticable. Your weight gain and that of your baby have likely picked up considerably, and you’ll both continue to grow.

It may be hard to watch yourself gain weight during pregnancy, but try to embrace your body's new shape and think of every pound you put on as a sign of good health for you and your baby.

Eat right during pregnancy, minimize junk and maximize nutrient-dense foods, and get regular exercise. Remember, every woman gains and loses weight during pregnancy at a different pace.

You'll be preoccupied with thoughts on how you'll be filling your role as a mother. If there are young children in your social circle, try mingling with them to get a feel of how life with a child will be like. Your uterus has now grown to approximately the size of a grapefruit and contains enough amniotic fluid to carry out a test on amniocentesis. Talk to your doctor if it is necessary for you to undergo this form of prenatal diagnosis

Pregnancy Symptoms

• Everyone's pregnancy is different but if you feel unwell and it's getting you down, speak to your doctor or midwife. Your pregnancy symptoms in the 2nd trimester may include:

  • Continued breast growth

  • Constipation

  • Indigestion and heartburn

  • Increased vaginal discharge

  • Backaches.

  • Swollen and bleeding gums

  • Dizziness

  • Nosebleed

16-week ultrasound

• You’ll probably have a four-month prenatal visit around the time you’re 16 weeks pregnant.

• You’ll likely have a urine test; your OB will be checking your urine for signs of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. 

• You may have a 16 weeks pregnant ultrasound at your appointment.

Strange food cravings?

Fann Wong craved for instant noodles while pregnant,  while Joanne Peh wanted everything from hokkien mee to lup cheong fan (Chinese sausage rice). Whether it’s yoghurt or garlic and onions, unusual food cravings are common during pregnancy. Some believe they are due to hormonal changes, or a need for specific nutrients. However, there’s been no scientific evidence that support these theories.

As long as what you crave isn’t harmful, go ahead and chomp on it – in moderation, that is. Be sure to maintain a healthy, balanced pregnancy diet too. If you feel a sudden urge for sugary or high-fat foods, consider the following healthier alternatives!

• Swap chocolate for dried fruit
• Swap biscuits for a banana
• Swap cake for wholegrain bread
• Swap packaged potato chips for a small handful of nuts and seeds, or cheese
• Swap ice cream for a fruit-based dessert

Chalk and Cheese: Pica Cravings

Have you experienced craving to eat weird substances like clay, toothpaste or dirt? Having these odd cravings is a condition known as pica, which can occur during pregnancy. It is said that pica indicates a deficiency in a certain mineral. Whether or not this is true, pica cravings should not be indulged! If you think you may be experiencing pica cravings, speak to your medical professional as soon as possible. 

Pregnancy checklist at 16 weeks pregnant

• Investigate second-trimester prenatal tests - Around 16 to 18 weeks, you may be offered a test for Alpha Fetal Protein (AFP) to help screen for neural tube defects (problems with the brain and spinal cord), such as spina bifida.

• Track your weight gain

• Invest in pregnancy pillow

• Start a baby names list

• Swap mashed potato for fibre-rich potato in its skin
• Instead of fruit juice, have whole fruit
• Swap vegetable soup for vegetable and bean soup
• Swap your regular bread for rye bread
• Add some lentils to your chicken curry and choose brown rice