Pregnancy Calendar Week 16

It may surprise you to learn that your baby is growing both fingernails and toenails inside the womb. In fact, some infants must have their nails clipped shortly after birth!

Soon, you should be able to feel your baby’s first kicks. However, quickening may not occur until as late as the twentieth week of your pregnancy. First-time mothers and/or overweight women often must wait slightly longer to feel their babies move.

Changes in Your Body during Pregnancy Calendar Week 16

During pregnancy calendar week 16, your uterus is continuing to grow. It now weighs approximately 8.5 ounces. In addition, your body has produced about 7.5 ounces of amniotic fluid to surround and protect your baby.

By the sixteenth week of pregnancy, your body is producing 50 percent more blood than normal. This increase in blood circulation changes your complexion by creating a “pregnancy glow.” However, it can also lead to excessive oil production. To minimize the appearance of shiny skin, use an oil-free cleanser to wash your face each morning. You may also wish to try blotting your face throughout the day with an absorbent facial tissue made from rice paper.

Many women experience round ligament pain throughout the second trimester of pregnancy. The round ligament connects the front portion of the uterus to your groin. Any movement that causes this ligament to stretch can result in a sharp pain in your abdomen and/or hip area. Round ligament pain is considered a normal part of pregnancy. However, you can reduce your discomfort by changing positions as slowly as possible. Regular stretching exercises, a warm (not hot) bath or use of a heating pad may also provide relief.

Choosing the Right Prenatal Class

By pregnancy calendar week 16, you may be thinking about enrolling in a prenatal education class. These courses offer expectant mothers an opportunity to learn more about the miracle of childbirth, study techniques that can provide drug-free pain relief during labor, and socialize with other pregnant women. Additionally, prenatal classes can provide a chance for the expectant father to become more involved in childbirth process.

If you’re considering a prenatal class, you’ll need to decide how much information you want. Some classes cover topics such as nutrition, exercise, fetal development, and Sex During Pregnancy. Others focus exclusively on preparing you for the actual labor experience. There are classes for first-time mothers as well as “refresher courses” for women experiencing subsequent pregnancies. Prenatal classes are offered by hospitals as well as private instructors and individual healthcare providers. Most classes are designed to accommodate between five and ten couples.

While the Lamaze approach to childbirth education is the most popular in the United States, there are many other options available. If you live in a larger metropolitan area, you may be able to find prenatal classes in the Bradley method, Alexander technique, Odent approach, active birth, hypnobirthing, or the Read method. You may want to ask your doctor or acquaintances who have recently given birth for course recommendations.

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