16 weeks pregnant

Your baby can move the muscles in their face, which looks like expressions, though they aren't in control of them yet. Amniotic fluid moves in and out of the lungs, helping them get ready for breathing air.

How big is my baby at 16 weeks?

At 16 weeks your baby is about the size of an avocado, around 18.6 cm long and 144 g. Before about 14 weeks babies are measured from crown to rump; after that the figure is head to heel. These are typical figures from fetal growth charts. Your own baby may be bigger or smaller, and your scans are what count.

What is my baby doing at 16 weeks?

• Your baby can move the muscles in their face, which looks like expressions, though they aren't in control of them yet.
• Amniotic fluid moves in and out of the lungs, helping them get ready for breathing air.
• The arm and leg muscles can flex as the nervous system develops.
• Your baby's hands can find each other, make fists and hold on.

What changes for me at 16 weeks pregnant?

• Most people first notice their baby moving somewhere between 16 and 24 weeks, often as a gentle fluttering.
• In a first pregnancy it's common to notice movements later.
• Constipation is common, so plenty of fibre and water can help.
• From around now, lying on your side is usually more comfortable than lying on your back.

What is a good tip for this week?

Add fibre with porridge, wholegrain bread, fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water to keep things moving.

What can a partner do this week?

Help arrange the whooping cough vaccine appointment with the GP.

What should I know in Ireland at 16 weeks?

• The whooping cough vaccine is recommended between 16 and 36 weeks in every pregnancy. It's free at GP practices that take part in the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme.

Want these updates on your phone? The Lullagram app has a free pregnancy section with this week-by-week guide, Irish dates worked out from your due date, a contraction timer and more. When your baby arrives, the baby tracker is ready in the same app.