Pregnancy week 16 - baby's development and your body

The fetus has plenty of space in the womb and may begin to move more consciously this week.

Size:

The fetus is about 11–12 cm or 4.33–4.72 inches in size, from head to rump.

Weight:

Approximately 100 grams or 3.53 ounces.

Fetal development:

The fetus has plenty of room to move its arms and legs in the womb. Its thin skin is covered with fine hairs, called lanugo, which help keep it warm and protect the skin. The fetus now has fully formed eyelids, hands, and feet, and all body parts are clearly visible.

The skeleton is hardening as the fetus stores calcium, and the nervous system has developed further, allowing for more intentional movements. The fetus can now hear and may even startle at loud sounds.

Your body:

Your belly is likely becoming more noticeable now, though this varies for everyone.

Starting this week, you may begin to feel fetal movements, although it’s more common to notice them around weeks 18–20.

The risk of miscarriage has significantly decreased, and early pregnancy symptoms are often starting to ease. If you’ve experienced nausea, it may begin to subside during the second trimester, though for some, it can last a bit longer. You may also start to feel more energetic if fatigue was a common symptom in the earlier weeks.