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You’re 16 weeks along, officially four months pregnant! You’re really starting to see some changes in your body by now. Here’s what’s happening this week.
How Big is Baby?
Little babe is measuring about 4 ½ inches long this week. Grow, baby, grow!
What’s New with Baby?
Their little eyes and ears are starting to be in working order. This week, baby can hear the sound of your heartbeat, Mom (how sweet is that?) and soon will be able to hear your voice too. And their tiny eyes, though still fused shut, are beginning to sense bright light outside the womb. Baby’s sensory development is progressing. They can make facial expressions, and their taste buds are forming.
What’s New with Mom?
You’re feeling a bit more energetic and perhaps a little hungrier too. If you experienced morning sickness, it’s likely resolved by now—or at least much improved. This week is the start of the “honeymoon stage” of pregnancy. You are feeling energized and more like your usual self. Enjoy it while you can, Mom!
Common symptoms at week 16 include increased appetite, weight gain, breast enlargement and—here’s a good one—mood stability.
Fun Fact
Baby’s not the only one growing quickly. Your uterus is growing at about the same rate as your little one. By now your uterus weighs over 8 ounces. That’s quite a lot more than it weighed 16 weeks ago, just one-sixth of a pound.
What are Pregnancy Cravings?
Pickles and ice cream, anyone? We’ve all heard of some wacky food combinations attributed to pregnancy cravings. But what actually are pregnancy cravings and what’s behind them? Here’s the deal.
Pregnancy cravings are the urge to eat certain foods while pregnant, and they’re a very real—and very normal—experience. More than half of women get a hankering to chow down on something specific while expecting, and sometimes those foods are surprising. If you find yourself reaching for the same snack over and over, or if you’re sending your partner on a late-night grocery store run for something you’ve gotta have right now, you’re having cravings.
“Cravings can vary widely, from sweet and salty foods to unusual combinations,” says Dr. Catherine Spong, a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The most common cravings are for sweets (chocolates and candy, yum!), savory high-calorie carbs (pizza, anyone?) and animal proteins (think steak or chicken).
Catherine Spong, M.D., is a professor and the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. A specialist in maternal-fetal medicine, prematurity, fetal complications, and improving outcomes in children, Dr. Spong’s clinical responsibilities include high-risk labor and delivery, the antepartum unit, the extended-care unit, and obstetric and gynecologic sonography.
Just like so many other symptoms, you can blame those cravings on your hormones.
At the other end of the spectrum, you might find yourself repulsed by just the thought of certain foods. Food aversions can be more common in women with a particularly sensitive sense of smell while pregnant, and often involve foods with strong odors or tastes. They can also be triggered by morning sickness. But don’t worry—just like food cravings, aversions are perfectly normal too.
“Food cravings and aversions can start as early as the first trimester and may continue throughout pregnancy,” says Spong. “They often peak in the first and second trimesters and may lessen in the third trimester.”
Sometimes women experience a condition called pica, characterized by cravings for non-food items, such as dirt, clay, chalk, or ice. If you find yourself craving things that aren’t food, contact your doctor. “Pica cravings can be harmful because ingesting nonfood substances can lead to health problems and nutrient deficiencies,” Spong explains. “Women experiencing pica should seek medical attention to address potential underlying issues and receive appropriate care.”
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This blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice or professional services. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The above article was written by DFWChild editor Amanda Collins Bernier with information provided by UT Southwestern Medical Center as part of their sponsored content.
