§second trimester · week 16 of 40
you're 16 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 11.6 cm (4.6") · 100 g (3.5 oz)
about the size of a avocado.
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.
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.
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.