Week 16

Welcome to Week 16! Your little one is now about the size of an avocado—around 4.5 inches long and weighing about 3.5 ounces. They’re growing fast, getting stronger, and starting to look even more like a newborn.

What’s Happening in Your Body?

Baby’s eyes and ears are moving into their final positions, and their muscles are developing enough for more coordinated movements. They can make facial expressions, yawn, stretch, and even suck their thumb. Tiny eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair patterns are forming, too!

You might even start to feel baby’s movements—those soft little flutters called quickening. It’s often described as bubbles, popcorn pops, or gentle taps from inside. If you don’t feel it yet, don’t worry—it’s still early for many first-time moms.

Meanwhile, your uterus is now about halfway between your pubic bone and belly button, which might make your bump more noticeable.

Common Symptoms This Week

• Increased appetite (hello, second trimester hunger!)

• Round ligament pain—mild aches as your belly grows

• More energy compared to the first trimester

• Pregnancy “glow” or other skin changes

• Occasional dizziness or lightheadedness (caused by your expanding blood volume)

• Backaches or hip pain as your posture shifts

And yep, maternity clothes might officially feel more comfortable now—goodbye, tight waistbands.

What You Can Do This Week

• Book your mid-pregnancy anatomy scan (around 18–20 weeks)

• Keep up light exercise to strengthen your core and support your growing belly

• Sleep on your side (especially your left)—it helps with blood flow

• Stay on top of hydration and healthy snacks—your baby’s growing fast now

• Think about prenatal classes or birth education if you’re curious

And this is a great time to start gently documenting the journey—even just a few notes or photos each week. Apps like Cubtale make it simple to keep everything in one place.

Real Talk

Week 16 is often the start of the fun part of pregnancy. You might feel more like yourself, more excited, and maybe even start imagining what life with baby will look like.

But it can also feel like a strange in-between—your bump isn’t huge, you might not feel strong kicks yet, and people might still hesitate to ask if you’re pregnant.

So take it slow. Celebrate the little things. And if you catch yourself quietly smiling for no reason? That’s the magic of this trimester settling in.