At 16 weeks pregnant, your baby — now roughly the size of an avocado at 4–5 inches long and 3–5 ounces — has developed ear bones capable of detecting sound, strengthening back muscles, and functioning eyes that can make side-to-side movements. Expectant mothers at this stage can anticipate common physical changes including weight gain, nasal congestion, faster nail and hair growth, varicose veins, constipation, backaches, and pregnancy-related gum inflammation. Nutritionally, guava stands out as a particularly beneficial fruit during this trimester, providing vitamin C, folic acid, carotenoids, and polyphenols that support fetal neural tube development, oral health, and blood glucose regulation.
- At week 16 of pregnancy, a baby weighs approximately 3–5 ounces and measures around 4–5 inches in length, roughly the size of an avocado.
- By week 16, bones in the baby's ears have formed, meaning the baby may be able to hear sounds from outside the womb.
- At 16 weeks, the baby's facial muscles are developing enough to produce expressions such as squinting and frowning, while the eyes begin making side-to-side movements.
- Common physical symptoms at week 16 include varicose veins, backaches, nasal congestion, constipation, and accelerated nail and hair growth.
- Gum bleeding at week 16 is caused by a surge of pregnancy hormones that leads to gum inflammation, making gums susceptible to irritation and bacteria.
- Guava contains folic acid, which is beneficial in preventing the development of neural tube defects in the foetus during pregnancy.
- Guava also provides Vitamin C, Vitamin E, carotenoids, polyphenols, and isoflavonoids, nutrients recognised for their antioxidant properties and role in supporting maternal and foetal health.
Pregnancy Diary Week 16
Discover your pregnancy journey
Pregnancy Diary Week 16
Now you are 16 weeks pregnant and your baby continues to develop each week inside you. Find out what’s happening this week and also why eating guavas is good for you and your baby!
Discover
How your baby is growing
What you can expect at this time
A beneficial food for your pregnancy nutrition
Pregnancy Diary Week 16: How Is Your Baby Growing?
By this time, your baby should be around 3-5 ounces in weight and be around 4-5 inches in length; around the size of an avocado. Bones in his ears have now formed so if you try talking to him, he might probably hear you now. The baby’s muscles, especially those in his back are now getting stronger so he can now straighten out a little bit.
Since his facial muscles are also forming, the baby is now able to form different facial expressions such as squinting and frowning. Though his eyelids are still sealed, the baby’s eyes have now started working. In fact, he can now make little side to side movements. Amazing isn’t it?
What you can expect
Just like most pregnant women, you should expect that you’re going to gain weight, and this is fine, once it is around what would be expected for you at this stage of pregnancy. Apart from your swelling body size, you can also expect the membranes of your nose to swell. Therefore, congestion is very likely to occur. During this period, some Mums have noticed that their nails and hair are growing so fast. The skin may appear more radiant, and the hair looks more lustrous and thicker.
By this time, your breasts continue to grow. In fact, you might be overwhelmed by its growth and size. Don’t worry about them as their size would return to pre-pregnancy size not long after you give birth.
You should expect constipation to come very often. This is usually caused by the surge of pregnancy hormones which makes your gastrointestinal tract to become sluggish. Constipation can also be caused by the growing pressure due to the growing baby inside the uterus.
Due to your increasing weight, you can expect the blood vessels in your legs to swell. This is commonly known as varicose veins. Backaches should also be anticipated as your baby grows bigger. Have you experienced gum bleeding? That’s pretty normal during this stage. The surge of pregnancy hormones causes gum inflammation which makes your gum very susceptible to bleeding, irritation and bacteria. Just brush your teeth regularly and keep flossing to keep them healthy.
Guavas For Pregnancy Nutrition
The health of the baby depends on the lifestyle of the mother during pregnancy. Eating healthy and nutritious foods during pregnancy provides your baby with essential vitamins and nutrients which the baby needs for its optimum growth and development. It is always important that pregnant women should acquire high levels of nutrients as they can help in giving your baby the best gift before she even takes a glimpse of the world, the best of health.
Guava is absolutely one of the most nutritious superfruits to eat during pregnancy. The fruit contains high levels of nutrients and minerals which are scientifically proven to be beneficial for both the mother and the baby during pregnancy.
Guavas are known to be effective at regulating the amount of glucose in the blood. In effect, it helps pregnant women in preventing the onset of gestational pregnancy. The fruit is also packed with Vitamin C which helps the body in fighting certain health infections. Its Vitamin C content also helps in maintaining desirable oral health, and in preventing ulcer, gum bleeding and toothaches.
It even contains folic acid which is beneficial in preventing the development of neural tube defects in the foetus. Other nutrients include carotenoids, polyphenols, isoflavonoids, Vitamin C and Vitamin E which are known for their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are beneficial in combating the effects of free radicals as well as in fighting off infections during pregnancy.
Guavas are also rich in magnesium which relaxes the nerves and the muscles of pregnant women. Meanwhile, its iron content is useful in preventing the onset of anaemia which is very common during pregnancy due to the increasing need for the iron of both the mother and the baby. Folic acid aids the body in increasing its production of red blood cells which helps in optimising the functions of the nervous system, especially the brain, as well as in preventing anaemia.
On the other hand, its fibre content provides an excellent solution to haemorrhoids and constipation which are considered as very common complaints during pregnancy. Fibre is also known to be effective in promoting heart health. It actually helps in controlling the level of cholesterol which is a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. It even helps in controlling the level of blood pressure which can lead to more serious complications when left uncontrolled.
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Pregnancy Diary Week 16
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DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.
How big is a baby at 16 weeks pregnant?
At 16 weeks, a baby is approximately 4–5 inches in length and weighs around 3–5 ounces. This is roughly the size of an avocado.
Can a baby hear you talking at 16 weeks?
At 16 weeks, the bones in the baby's ears have formed, which means the baby can likely hear sounds from outside the womb. Talking to your baby at this stage may already reach them.
What physical symptoms should you expect at 16 weeks pregnant?
At 16 weeks, common symptoms include weight gain, nasal congestion, faster-growing hair and nails, breast enlargement, constipation, varicose veins, backaches, and gum bleeding. These are all caused by the surge of pregnancy hormones and the physical demands of a growing baby.
Why do gums bleed during pregnancy?
The surge of pregnancy hormones causes gum inflammation, making gums highly susceptible to bleeding, irritation, and bacteria. Regular brushing and flossing can help keep gums healthy during this period.
Why is guava good to eat during pregnancy?
Guava is considered a nutritious superfruit during pregnancy because it contains high levels of Vitamin C, folic acid, carotenoids, polyphenols, isoflavonoids, and Vitamin E. These nutrients support immune health, oral health, and help prevent neural tube defects in the foetus.
Does guava help prevent gestational diabetes?
Guava is known to help regulate blood glucose levels, which may assist in preventing the onset of gestational diabetes. Its nutritional profile makes it a beneficial fruit choice for pregnant women.
What facial movements can a baby make at 16 weeks?
By week 16, the baby's facial muscles are developing enough to form expressions such as squinting and frowning. The eyes, though still sealed, have also begun making small side-to-side movements.
What causes constipation during pregnancy at 16 weeks?
Constipation at 16 weeks is typically caused by pregnancy hormones that slow down the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the growing pressure exerted by the expanding uterus on surrounding organs.