16 Weeks Pregnant - Trimester 2

BABY DEVELOPMENT

If you haven’t already, it is possible that you will feel your baby move for the first time this week (or in the coming weeks). These movements are still very light, so don’t expect massive sensations. Be on the lookout for what feels like butterfly wings inside your belly. Or small bubbles. It is exciting and wonderful when it happens.

At 16 weeks, your baby is around the size of a pear and has developed their hearing so that they can hear everything happening outside the womb much more clearly.

YOUR BODY

If you have been experiencing cravings, you might be wondering if it’s because you are lacking nutrients. No, it is simply a hormone-related side effect of pregnancy. You've probably noticed that certain foods seem "different" or less appetising. Others, however, feel like they are indispensable!  Welcome to your body while you’re pregnant, there’s no rhyme or reason to it. Just do your best to think about “moderation” in all you eat. Try and balance treating yourself with taking care of yourself and your growing child.

NUTRITION

Vitamin A is important when you are pregnant but in just the right amounts, neither too much nor too little. Confused? Foods to eat that are a good source of Vitamin A include:

• Milk and dairy products
• Eggs (the yolks in particular)
• Some bright orange and yellow fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes or carrots. They contain provitamin A carotenoids that the body can convert to vitamin A.

Excessive intake could be harmful to your developing baby.

TIPS

Many new parents will attend an antenatal class to start to prepare for the baby’s birth, especially if this is a first baby (or if a first baby was born ages ago!). If you haven’t already booked one in, it may be worth investigating now.  You will learn about the birth, and about pain relief, breathing, and relaxation techniques. A visit to a delivery room, exercises for fitness in pregnancy, answers to your questions about breastfeeding and many other really useful things can also be on the programme. Antenatal classes are the ideal opportunity to get to know other mothers or couples as well. Who better to share your experience with?