Pregnancy Calendar – Week Sixteen

From head to bottom, your baby measures about four inches long and weighs three ounces, which is about the size of an avocado. The baby’s head is more erect than it has been, and the eyes have moved to the front of the head (the ears are also close to their final position). The eyelashes and eyebrows have developed. Although your baby can’t taste anything yet, the tiny taste buds are forming at this time. The movement of all of your baby’s limbs is becoming more coordinated, and your baby may be able to suck his or her thumb.

People may tell you that pregnancy makes you positively “glow,” which can mean several different things. Your face may appear to be brighter, because the increased blood flow you are experiencing causes your cheeks to have more color. Your face may actually shine more, because of more secretions of the oil glands. You may be feeling more at ease in the second trimester, now that your hormones have stabilized and the risk of miscarriage has dropped significantly. If you decided to wait until after the first trimester to tell most people about your pregnancy, you may just be excited that you are finally able to share the news with everyone!

You may also find that your hair feels thicker. You are not actually growing more hair; you’re just losing it less frequently than you did before. During pregnancy, higher levels of estrogen make the hair growing cycle longer, so fewer hairs are falling out each day. Not all pregnant women detect dramatic changes in their hair. Among those who do, the changes tend to be more noticeable in women with longer hair. Your body and facial hair may increase as well when you are pregnant, but this hair should be gone six months or so after your baby is born.

A Mom’s Suggestion:

It’s not too early to think about choosing a childbirth class. In fact, some classes fill up quickly, so the earlier you register, the better. A childbirth class is an excellent way to prepare for labor and birth, and you will also meet other expectant parents who share what you are going through. You can ask your doctor or midwife for suggestions on which class to take. Most hospitals offer classes, or you can find one run by an independent instructor or organization. Here are some questions to ask when selecting a class: