Pregnancy Care Guide: Weeks 16

Pregnancy Care Guide

Pregnancy: Weeks 16 – 20

Changes in fetus • Over 6 inches in length from crown to rump • Roughly 12 ounces in weight • Fetus can now hear acutely • Layer of fat has now developed • First teeth have now formed within the gums • Skin is covered by lanugo, a fine downy hair • Muscles and nervous system more-developed • Sexual organs developed and visible on ultrasound

Changes in you • Fetal movement • Increasing whitish vaginal discharge • Lower abdominal achiness • Possible heartburn • Constipation • Hearty appetite • Skin pigmentation changes • Varicose veins and/or hemorrhoids

Suggested reading for mother: Pregnancy and Birth: Your Questions Answered, by Christof Lees et al Suggested reading for partner: Keys to becoming a Father, by William Sears, MD Suggested website for both: www.visembryo.com
What to expect at your next office visit: Weight and blood pressure check Complete blood count Urine test for sugar and protein Fetal heartbeat Size of uterus (determined by external palpation to see how it correlates to estimated due date) Height of fundus (top of the uterus) Triple screen test or amniocentesis (elective, patients 35 and over, patients with abnormal trip test results, patients with a history of specific genetic disorders) Survey sonogram to confirm dating, rule out twins
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