16 Weeks Pregnant
At 16 weeks pregnant your baby is about the size of an avocado. You are in the second trimester, and this week brings its own small changes — for your baby and for you.
- Size of
- an avocado
- Length
- 11.6 cm
- Weight
- 100 g
- Trimester
- 2
Your baby this week
- Your baby can hear your voice, your heartbeat and your digestion.
- The eyes move slowly behind closed lids.
- Soft cartilage is slowly hardening into bone.
Your body this week
- The top of the uterus is now roughly halfway to your navel.
- A small bump becomes visible, especially by the end of the day.
Common symptoms
- Sharp, brief pulls low in the belly when you move
- A dull ache in the lower back
- A noticeably bigger appetite
What to expect
The middle months are usually the steadiest part of pregnancy. Energy often returns, the bump becomes visible, and appointments settle into a routine. With 24 weeks to go, this is a good time to plan ahead while you feel well.
Tips for this week
- Book the anomaly scan, usually offered between weeks 18 and 22.
- Start getting used to sleeping on your side, ideally the left.
- Do pelvic floor exercises daily; they help now and after birth.
Frequently asked questions
How many months is 16 weeks pregnant?
16 weeks is about 3.5 months. Pregnancy months do not divide evenly into weeks, so counting in weeks is more precise.
How big is my baby at 16 weeks?
At 16 weeks your baby is around an avocado — roughly 11.6 cm long and about 100 g. Healthy babies vary a lot around these averages.
What symptoms are normal at 16 weeks pregnant?
The most common ones this week are listed above. Contact your doctor or midwife about heavy bleeding, severe pain, a fever, or any change in your baby’s movements.
Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period, so week 1 begins before conception.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or midwife about your own pregnancy.