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Congratulations! |
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You are in
Week 16 of Your Pregnancy |
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Size: 4.3 to 4.6 inches
Weight: 2.8 ounces
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| Your baby's umbilical cord is growing and thickening to carry nourishment from
you to your baby. Be careful; the umbilical cord can also pass along hazards like alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Your placenta is fully formed at this point. |
Your Baby
The baby continues to grow and take up more space in the uterus while showing a decided flair for movement. Less space means an elbow here, a foot there. You, therefore, may experience movements for the first time, called fluttering. (This can take place anytime through week 20. Notify your doctor if you don't notice them by then.)
You
Your heart is pumping about 20% (and up to 40%) more blood than it did pre-pregnancy. This increased blood volume is causing a few quirky side effects. You may notice varicose veins appearing on your legs. These can be permanent, so try to prevent them; avoid sitting or sanding for prolonged periods of time, walk at least a half hour a day to keep the blood circulating, and when sitting elevate, don't cross, your legs.
Dark veins are also appearing in your breasts and you may have noticed that the tissues in your vaginal area have swelled up, too, causing an increase in sensitivity, secretions, and sexual arousal. The membranes in your nose have also swelled, causing stuffiness, and sometimes even nosebleeds.
