Sixteenth week of pregnancy

How your body changes

Belly at 1 6 ^a week

Between the 13th ^and  16th ^week of pregnancy,  your belly should finally start to show . If you haven’t already, now is the right time to start photographing your baby bump!

Shiny hair

Thanks to pregnancy hormones , your shapes continue to soften, your skin is smoother and more luminous and your lips are fuller.

Your hair could also appear shinier and thicker, giving you an enviable mane. The reason is that while you are pregnant, the life cycle of your hair changes and hair loss is delayed: this explains why less hair is lost during pregnancy . The bad news? Unfortunately this is only a temporary change and will be followed by a phase of profuse loss after delivery. But don’t worry: everything will go back to normal after about six months.

What an itch!

In some cases, the hormones in your circulation may cause pimples to appear on your face . To prevent them, try to keep your skin cleansed and hydrated , drink plenty of water and reduce sugar and fat in your diet.

Other “side effects” of pregnancy could be the appearance of stretch marks or itching , due to the greater dryness of the skin and the increase in volume of the breasts and abdomen. The advice, in these cases, is to use a good moisturizer and to wear cotton clothing, not too tight. If the itching is very severe , however, it is best to consult your gynecologist.

vaginal discharge?

The increased blood flow to the pelvic area can lead to copious white , milky discharge . This condition is called  leucorrhoea   and is intended to protect the vaginal environment from the ascent of microbes that are potentially dangerous to the fetus.

Even if this is a completely normal and physiological phenomenon, do not hesitate to contact your gynecologist or midwife if:

• the discharge changes color or starts to smell bad ;
• the losses change consistency (for example they become similar to ricotta);
• you feel pain or burning when you urinate;
• feel intimate pain or itching .

In fact, even just one of these symptoms could indicate the presence of a vaginal infection , which should be reported to your doctor to be treated promptly .

16th ^week : symptoms

Here are some symptoms you may notice these days. Click to find out the causes and possible remedies.

• Skin modifications
• Breast modifications
• Itching
• Epistaxis (nosebleed)
• Leucorrhoea (white discharge)
• Dizziness
• Round ligament pain

How the child grows

It is 10-11 centimeters long , roughly the size of an avocado , and weighs just over 100 grams.

Games in the belly

The head is erect and the legs are well developed. Now your little one  moves a lot and changes position about  20 times in the space of an hour : he touches his face, plays with his little hands and is able to grasp the umbilical cord , which is now fully formed.

A slight flicker

If you’re not pregnant for the first time, you may already be able to feel your baby’s movements for the first time  . At first they will almost seem like a flight of butterflies , but as the weeks go by you will be able to feel real kicks!

Constantly changing

The urinary tract has completed its development and is in the process of maturation. In the meantime, your baby continues to swallow the amniotic fluid and empties the bladder approximately every 50-150 minutes: starting from this week, therefore, the liquid that surrounds him begins to consist largely of his urine. Although it may seem strange to you, there is nothing to worry about: the pee of the fetus, in fact, is absolutely sterile and free of toxic substances .

Do you know that…

Some babies need a manicure when they are born! But be careful: newborns’ nails are  very delicate and, in order not to risk damaging them, it is advisable to cut them only  a few weeks after giving birth .

For the dad

• Try to accompany your partner to visits , so you can see your little one’s progress!
• Have you ever thought about reading some book to better prepare yourself for your role as future dad ? In this article, you will find a selection of 14 books for future dads and new dads . Enjoy the reading!

Checks and exams to do

Click here to see the exams you can take for free between the 15th and 19th week of gestation

Advice from the 16th ^week of pregnancy

• In this trimester, it is quite common to suffer from nosebleeds. To stop the bleeding, sit or stand upright, tilt your head forward , and pinch your nostrils with two fingers of your hand for about 10 to 15 minutes , or apply ice to the bridge of your nose.
• Are your clothes starting to feel a little tight? It may be time to think about your first maternity purchases . Both clothing stores and brands dedicated to expectant mothers now offer a wide choice of proposals, suitable for any occasion.