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Week 16

Welcome to week 16! Baby is now about 4.5 inches long and is roughly 2.8 ounces. You may begin to feel some slight movements (quickening) now, especially if this is your second or subsequent baby. The first movements may feel "ticklish", like a butterfly in your stomach or it may feel like a bubble popping. If you haven't started to feel movement yet, don't

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About now, a small amount of hair is growing on your baby's head and eyelashes and eyebrows start to emerge.

Your uterus is approximately half way from your pubic bone to the umbilicus.

Tips for Mom
Your may begin to notice some tightening in your uterus. This is called Braxton Hicks contractions. It is your uterus practicing and strengthening for labor. This is not real labor and does not mean that labor is anywhere in the near future, so don't fret. It is just another way our body begins to prepare. Braxton hicks usually are just a tightening, hard feeling in your abdomen. They generally last for 30 seconds to a minute and should not have ny pain with them. If you have any backache or cramping associated with them, contact your doctor.

Another test that doctors sometimes recommend is the Alpha Fetoprotein test. This test can test for things like spina bifida or problems with the central nervous system. The test tests the level of of alpha fetoprotein that is secreted in the baby's urine. A blood test on the mom can often determine these problems in the baby.

The Triple Screen Test is replacing the alpha fetoprotein test in many areas. The triple screen tests not only the AFP but also hCG estriol. This is the most accurate test and has been known to identify other genetic problems as well.
The problem with either of these tests is that they are known to have a large false positive rate (indicating a problem where there is none). Some estimates and data say that over 80% of these tests give this type of reading! Pleas know that these are NOT mandatory tests. It will be offered to you by your doctor and you may be asked to sign a waver and made to feel somewhat guilty for refusing it, but it is not a mandatory test and with the threat of a falst positive, it is a decision that you need to weigh carefully!

How are you sleeping? Are you getting a good nights rest? Are you still sleeping on your stomach? Maybe your a back sleeper? Now is the time to get in the habit of proper pregnancy sleep. It become increasingly difficult to find a good sleep position and get comfortable as your pregnancy progresses. Try to avoid laying on your back, as this can constrict the major blood vessles in the back and decrease circulation to baby. The most recommended way to sleep is on the left side. Use pillows to prop you up and use them between your knees for extra support if you need to. Getting into this habit now, will make it a little easier later in pregnancy when you log for those few hours of comfortable sleep.