Week 16 lands in the part of pregnancy a lot of people describe as the calm middle. The early sickness has often eased, the bump is becoming a bump, and things feel a little more settled.
At 16 weeks, your baby is roughly the size of an avocado, about 11.6cm long, and the nervous system has developed enough that the baby is starting to move.1
How big is the baby at 16 weeks?
About 11.6cm, close to an avocado.1 Small enough to fit in a palm, but stretching and shifting more every day.
What's happening with the baby at 16 weeks
The nervous system is wiring up, and that's what lets the baby start moving its arms and legs. Around now the baby can even form little fists.1 Most people can't feel any of it yet, but the movement is real and happening.
What's common around week 16
Swollen or bleeding gums turn up for a lot of people in pregnancy, sometimes noticed first while brushing.1 If your gums feel tender or bleed, your midwife, doctor, or dentist is the right person to mention it to.
One thing to set up this week: add the name and due date
Somewhere around the middle of pregnancy, the baby often picks up a name or a nickname. "Peanut," "the bean," a real name you're testing out loud, all of it counts.
This is a good moment to add that name (or nickname) to your nappi profile and confirm the due date while you're in there. It's a two-minute job that makes the record feel like your baby's, and it carries straight through to the tracker you'll use after birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the baby start moving at 16 weeks?
The nervous system has developed enough by now for the baby to move its arms and legs and form fists, though most people don't feel those movements until a bit later.1
Are swollen or bleeding gums normal in pregnancy?
They're a common experience, and many people notice them around this stage. A midwife, doctor, or dentist can advise if your gums are sore or bleeding.1
References
1. NHS. "You and your baby at 16 weeks pregnant." Link