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During its 16th calendar week of development, a fetus volition exist starting to form facial expressions, and its nervous organisation will be growing.

The fetus weighs around 2 and a one-half ounces (oz), and you may exist starting to feel fetal movement.

This characteristic is part of a serial of articles on pregnancy. It explains the symptoms of each phase of pregnancy, what to look, and insights into the development of your child.

The other articles in this series can help yous through each week of pregnancy.

First trimester: fertilization, implantation, calendar week 5, week half-dozen, week 7, week 8, week ix, week 10, calendar week 11, week 12.

Second trimester: calendar week 13, week xiv, week xv, week 17, week 18, week nineteen

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You may be experiencing a "pregnancy glow" due to increased blood flow beneath the skin.

On reaching the quaternary calendar month of pregnancy, yous might experience increased sexual libido equally a result of surging pregnancy hormones.

This does not occur in all women.

Equally the womb grows and moves upward in the torso, the pregnancy bump volition become more pronounced. Women at this stage of pregnancy should also find that the urge to frequently urinate is easing off.

Week xvi might also see the start of the "pregnancy glow" that many people associate with having a babe. This is the issue of increased claret flow in the skin and higher levels of oil production in the skin glands. These mechanisms occur because of the spike in hormonal action.

This extra production of oil can cause acne. During pregnancy, avoid acne medication. Instead, use fragrance-free confront wash and oil-free moisturizer on a daily basis.

Hormones tin can as well stretch the veins, leading to varicose veins. You may besides experience cramps and precipitous pains in the leg. Exercising and stretching the legs during the day can help relieve these symptoms.

Your next antenatal appointment should be taking place shortly.

The doctor will review options for genetic screening on the fetus. This could involve elementary claret tests or even amniocentesis. In improver to genetic screening, blood tests tin identify neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

A md may carry out amniocentesis between weeks 15 and eighteen to diagnose any chromosomal anomalies. It can take place at any time, but your doctor volition nearly likely perform the test around this gestational age.

Amniocentesis is a test that involves using a needle to drawing out some of the amniotic fluid that surrounds a fetus. This tin help dominion out chromosomal abnormalities nowadays in an infant, such equally Down syndrome and trisomy 13 and 18.

The physician extracts and tests a small-scale corporeality of amniotic fluid. Amniocentesis carries a miscarriage risk of between ane in every 500 and 1000 cases.

A physician will ofttimes recommend genetic screenings for high-hazard pregnancies, such equally those in women over the historic period of 35 years. Your medico will review the available blood tests and compare them with the results of amniocentesis to help you achieve a comfy decision.

Your physician may likewise want to discuss choosing prenatal and childbirth classes. They may also desire to review whatever possible pain of the round ligaments in the belly or hip you may exist experiencing.

The dr. might besides discuss precautions for preterm labor.

At week xvi, your fetus is effectually 5.3 inches from crown to rump. This is roughly the size of a lemon or avocado. They will weigh roughly two.5 ounces (oz.).

The fetus is at the offset of a growth spurt that will see it double in size over the next month.

It may also starting time moving and tin even grip the umbilical cord at this stage. The nervous system is yet developing, and the fetus is starting to flex the muscles in their limbs.

A fetus will beginning forming facial expressions at this stage, although it cannot all the same command them. If you could see the fetus, it might announced to frown or squint at points.

The eyes and ears of the fetus will now have fully moved from the side of the caput and will much more closely resemble their last appearance.

As with earlier weeks, you will soon find out that there are many lifestyle modifications that need to exist made during pregnancy and after delivery.

Full general health

In the second and 3rd trimesters, a woman who is pregnant should no longer lie flat on her dorsum for long periods of fourth dimension.

Lying on the side promotes better claret menstruum to the fetus and may also improve back and hip discomfort. Pregnancy pillows are available to help ease the procedure of lying on your side for long periods of time.

There is a option of pregnancy pillows available for purchase online.

Avert alcohol, smoking, and all other toxic or illicit substances at this time.

Make sure that your md knows about any ongoing medications you may exist taking. If it is likely to interfere with the pregnancy, they may consider reducing the dosage or irresolute the blazon of medication you lot take.

You may as well benefit from a specialized practise regimen during pregnancy.

Food

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Eating well can pb to a safer pregnancy and a healthier infant.

Follow a counterbalanced, nutritious diet during any phase of pregnancy, besides as placing a focus on staying active.

The fetus is starting to grow chop-chop and requires more energy at this betoken in pregnancy. It is recommended that you consume an actress 300 calories every day.

Avoid increasing the size of each meal and instead eat a snack in addition to your usual intake. Examples of appropriate snacks include:

  • an apple with i tablespoon (tbsp.) of nut butter
  • ane cup of broth
  • a hard-boiled egg
  • a handful of almonds and a cheese stick

While the md overseeing your pregnancy may have prescribed supplements to boost levels of certain vitamins and minerals, this will not provide all of the nutrients necessary for you and the fetus.

Be sure to consume plenty of leafy greens, which support digestion, as well every bit foods that contain high nutritional value, such as fruit and basics.

Avert the following foods during pregnancy:

  • raw meat
  • cold cuts from a deli
  • smoked seafood
  • fish that contain mercury, such as shark and swordfish
  • soft cheeses
  • raw shellfish
  • raw eggs
  • unpasteurized milk
  • patês and meat spreads

Exist sure to launder any vegetables in a repast thoroughly.

Other concerns

If yous discover any unexpected symptoms, contact your medico immediately. These can include:

  • leaking vaginal fluid
  • vaginal bleeding or passage of tissue
  • faintness or dizziness
  • low blood pressure level
  • rectal pressure
  • shoulder pain
  • astringent pelvic pain or cramping

MNT is here to back up you throughout your pregnancy.