you're 16 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 11.6 cm (4.6") · 100 g (3.5 oz)
At 16 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 11.6 cm and 100 g — The baby is growing fast — facial features fall into place, and tiny ears move closer to their final position.
about the size of a…
The baby is growing fast — facial features fall into place, and tiny ears move closer to their final position.
this week's highlights
- Strong reflexes
- Ears finalize position
- Heart pumps 25 quarts of blood a day
- Eyes shift forward
how your baby looks
Like a tiny baby in proportion — head a bit large still, but limbs are long and graceful, and facial features sit where they will at birth.
body in focus
- head
- Ears move toward their final position; eyes shift forward.
- body
- Heart pumps about 25 quarts of blood per day.
- hands
- Reflexes are strong; thumb-sucking is common.
- feet
- Feet are now about 2 cm long and kicks get stronger.
what's happening in your body
Energy continues to be good for many. Some experience nasal congestion or nosebleeds from increased blood volume. Belly is rounding visibly.
symptoms at 16 weeks
- First movements (quickening)
- Weeks 16 to 22 are the classic window for feeling the baby for the first time. Second-time parents feel it earlier; an anterior placenta cushions it later.
- Round ligament aches continuing
- The uterus is climbing steadily and the supporting ligaments keep stretching. A maternity support band can help if the pulling becomes tiresome.
- The pregnancy glow
- Increased blood flow and oil production give many people flushed, fuller-looking skin around now. The same oil can also mean breakouts — both are normal.
- Backache beginning
- A shifting centre of gravity and loosening joints start to load the lower back. Posture, supportive shoes and gentle core work make a real difference from here.
- Constipation persisting
- The slowed gut of pregnancy continues, sometimes worsened by iron supplements. Fibre, water and daily movement remain the reliable trio.
- Sudden severe headache or vision changes — when to call
- From mid-pregnancy onward, a severe headache with visual disturbance, or sudden swelling of the face and hands, can signal blood pressure problems. Call your midwife or doctor the same day.
gentle tips
- Apply moisturizer to growing skin — it stretches fast now.
- Sleep on the left side; avoid lying flat on the back.
- Pick up a pregnancy pillow if comfort gets harder.
- Stay on top of dental hygiene — pregnancy gums can bleed.
- Schedule the 18–22 week anatomy scan if not done.
your week 16 checklist
- Attend your 16-week antenatal appointment — blood pressure, urine check, and a chance to hear the heartbeat
- Decide whether you want to learn the baby's sex at the anomaly scan and agree it as a couple
- Start sleeping on your side by habit, with a pillow between your knees
- Research prams, car seats and cots — the long-lead-time purchases
what to expect next
First flutters are common between now and week 22. They feel like gas bubbles or a soft tap from inside — easy to miss the first time.
common questions at week 16
How big is the baby at 16 weeks?
At 16 weeks, the baby measures about 11.6 cm and weighs approximately 100 g (11.6 cm (4.6") · 100 g (3.5 oz)).
What is developing at 16 weeks?
Like a tiny baby in proportion — head a bit large still, but limbs are long and graceful, and facial features sit where they will at birth. Ears move toward their final position; eyes shift forward. Key milestones this week include: Strong reflexes; Ears finalize position; Heart pumps 25 quarts of blood a day; Eyes shift forward.
What symptoms are common at 16 weeks pregnant?
Energy continues to be good for many. Some experience nasal congestion or nosebleeds from increased blood volume. Belly is rounding visibly.
What should I do at 16 weeks pregnant?
First flutters are common between now and week 22. Apply moisturizer to growing skin — it stretches fast now. Sleep on the left side; avoid lying flat on the back. Pick up a pregnancy pillow if comfort gets harder.
Can you feel the baby at 16 weeks?
Some people can, especially in second or later pregnancies — faint flutters, bubbles or flickers low in the belly. Most first-time parents feel nothing until 18 to 22 weeks, and an anterior placenta (one attached at the front) muffles movement even longer. Not feeling anything at 16 weeks is firmly within normal.
What happens at the 16-week midwife appointment?
It is a short check: blood pressure, a urine test for protein, a review of your booking blood results, and usually a chance to listen to the baby's heartbeat with a handheld Doppler. It is also your slot to ask anything that has come up since booking. No scan happens at this visit in most services.
When can my partner feel the baby kick from the outside?
Usually four to six weeks after you first feel movement inside — commonly between 20 and 24 weeks, once kicks are strong enough to transmit through the abdominal wall. Placental position and the baby's orientation shift the timing. Evenings, when you are lying still, are typically the best time to catch one.
helpful tools
- Belly Timeline
Document your bump week by week with photos.
- Kick Counter
Track fetal movement — kicks usually begin around week 18–22.
- Milestones
Week-by-week milestones tied to your due date.
Medically aligned with guidance from WHO, NHS and ACOG. How we write.