What To Expect At 16 Weeks Pregnant: Week-By-Week Pregnancy Guide

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EP 86:

You're 16 weeks pregnant! 🎉 Your baby is growing, your body is changing, and let’s be real—you’re probably Googling every little symptom right now. In this episode, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about week 16 of pregnancy, including:
 ✔️ How big your baby is right now 
 ✔️ The incredible way your baby is developing taste buds 👅
 ✔️ What’s up with those weird pregnancy nosebleeds? 👃
 ✔️ When you might start feeling those first baby kicks 🦶
 ✔️ Must-know tips to feel your best this week

Resources & Links:
✨ Need expert guidance on pregnancy & birth? Check out my Bump to Bundle Blueprint!
 

Episode Transcript

(00:05):
Hi, I'm Stephanie Poole, founderand CEO of Birth Prep Academy.
I'm on a mission to helppregnant moms prepare for their
first hospital birth.
I'm sharing revealingconversations about what it
really takes to successfullytransition into motherhood.
So join me.
We're here to discover thingslike what to expect in

(00:26):
childbirth, how to prepare foryour birth.
We'll also talk aboutbreastfeeding and so much more.
I'm so grateful to share it allwith you right here on Oh, Baby,
the podcast created for pregnantmoms, preparing for their first
hospital birth.
Let's get started.

(00:46):
You're 16 weeks pregnant.
Congratulations.
Your baby is growing.
Your body is changing.
And let's be real.
You're probably Googling everylittle symptom right now and
that's okay because we've alldone it.
But what actually happens thisweek?
What's normal?
What's not?
And what's one weird but supercommon symptom that no one talks

(01:12):
about?
I'll give you a hint.
It has to do with your nose.
Stay with me because today I'mbreaking down everything you
need to know about being 16weeks pregnant.
That's right.
We're going to talk about what'shappening with your baby, what's
happening with your body and themust know tips to feel your very

(01:34):
best this week.
And trust me, there's a lothappening that might surprise
you.
So without further ado, let'sget into it.
All right.
First up, let's talk about whatyour little one is up to this
week.
First up, your baby is about thesize of an avocado.
Yep.
They're around four to fiveinches long and they weigh about

(01:58):
three and a half ounces, sothey're still tiny, but they're
growing fast.
And here's a crazy fact for youright now.
Your baby has all of their tastebuds.
Fully developed.
Yes, fully developed.
That means that they canactually taste flavors from the
amniotic fluid.
So whatever you eat, they get alittle taste of that too.

(02:22):
And if you love spicy food,well, your baby just might love
it later in life.
So keep that in mind.
All right, let's talk aboutfacial expressions.
Your baby is starting to makelittle expressions, frowning,
squinting, even sucking theirthumb.
And here's the coolest part.

(02:42):
These aren't just randommovements.
Your baby is actually practicingtheir facial muscles for later
when they're born.
Now let's talk about theirbones.
Their bones are hardening.
Your baby's tiny bones are goingfrom soft cartilage to actual
bone this week.
That means that they're gettingstronger and pretty soon you

(03:05):
might even start to feel thoselittle kicks with more
intensity.
We'll talk about more of that injust a second.
Let's talk about you becauseyour body is doing some wild
things right now.
First up, let's talk about yourincreased blood flow.
It might cause weird symptoms.

(03:26):
Did you know that by now youhave 50 percent more blood in
your body than before you gotpregnant?
That extra blood is flowinggreat for your baby, but it can
also cause things like nosebleeds, which are super common.
So if your nose feel dry, grab ahumidifier or a little coconut

(03:47):
oil.
It can also cause you to have alittle bit more energy.
Some moms start feeling likethey finally are getting their
groove back.
So be on the lookout for that.
Also, it causes that glowingskin.
Hello.
What we call the pregnancy glow.
You can thank your extra bloodcirculation for that.

(04:08):
But with all that being said,let's talk about round ligament
pain.
This is when you feel sharp,quick pains on the side of your
belly, especially when you standup or change positions too fast.
It happens because ligaments,holding your uterus are
stretching, which is totallynormal, but super annoying.

(04:31):
So try this to help move slowlywhen getting up and do gentle
stretches to help loosen thingsup a bit.
right.
So we've talked about feelingthose little flutters before,
but at 16 weeks, some moms startto feel the first real
movements, especially if thisisn't your first pregnancy, it

(04:52):
might feel like tiny bubbles orbutterflies, or even like little
muscle twitches.
If you don't feel anything yet,don't stress out.
Most first time moms feelmovement closer to 18 to 20
weeks, but it is coming.
So.
So get ready for those kicks.
Now, here's a question for you.
Are you feeling any symptomsthis week?

(05:14):
Comment below and tell me what'sbeen the weirdest or most
surprising thing about pregnancyso far.
I would love to know and I wantto chat with you in the
comments.
Now, let's get into some mustknow tips to help you feel your
very best.
First up, you know what I'mgoing to say if you've seen any
of my other videos, which is tohydrate like crazy.

(05:39):
Also, start sleeping on yourside.
Your belly isn't huge yet, butgetting into the habit of
sleeping on your side now willhelp your circulation later on.
And here's a pro tip.
Use a pregnancy pillow becauseit is an absolute game changer.
Now I want to mention this nextbecause it's really important

(06:01):
and that is to up your proteinintake.
Your baby's muscles and bonesare growing really fast.
So focus on protein rich foodslike eggs, lean meats, beans,
and Greek yogurt.
Now, here's another bonus tip.
If you're dealing with pregnancybrain, aka forgetting
everything, try keeping a littlenotebook or using your phone

(06:25):
notes app to track importantthings like appointments,
cravings, or just some of yourrandom thoughts.
That was a lot.
16 weeks is such an excitingtime.
Your baby is growing like crazyand your body, well, it's making
some big changes too, but whathappens next?

(06:46):
When will you definitely feelyour baby kick?
And is it true that your bellysuddenly pops overnight?
Make sure to hit that subscribebutton and turn on notifications
because next week we're talkingall about week 17 of pregnancy.
And trust me, you don't want tomiss it until then take care of

(07:06):
yourself, drink lots of water,and I'll see you in the next
video.