TRAINING FOR TWO

Move Confidently in Pregnancy!

Order Our BOOK!
NEW! ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Pelvic Floor ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Foundations Course ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ NEW! ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Pelvic Floor ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Foundations Course ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ NEW! ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Pelvic Floor ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Foundations Course ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ NEW! ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Pelvic Floor ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Foundations Course ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ NEW! ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Pelvic Floor ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Foundations Course ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ◆ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎
GET STARTED
Written by

Gina Conley, MS

16 Weeks Pregnant: What to Expect for You and Baby

  • Pregnancy

Table of Contents

Welcome to Week 16 of your pregnancy journey! At 16 weeks pregnant, we are moving deeper into the second trimester, often called the “honeymoon phase” of pregnancy. Many moms-to-be experience increased energy, fewer symptoms, and a renewed sense of well-being. Here, we’ll cover what to expect for both you and your baby during this week, along with some personal insights from my own experience as I navigate my fourth pregnancy.

Explore Our Prenatal Fitness Programs

What's Happening with Your Baby

At 16 weeks, your little one is growing rapidly and is now about the size of a hacky sack or, according to my pregnancy app, a dill pickle (though hopefully not as sour!) Here’s a glimpse into your baby’s development:

  1. Hearing & Sight: Baby’s ears are fully developed and can hear my voice, so I’m making sure to talk and sing more. Their eyes are also starting to detect light, even though it’s pretty dark in there!

  2. Facial Expressions & Reflexes: Baby’s facial muscles are forming, and they’re practicing sucking and swallowing, which will be essential after birth.

  3. Taste Buds & Toenails: Baby’s taste buds are developing, meaning they can start sensing flavors in the amniotic fluid (though it’s mostly just hints of what you eat). Toenails are also starting to form!

  4. Umbilical Cord Fully Formed: The umbilical cord is now completely developed, containing three essential blood vessels protected by Wharton’s jelly to ensure baby gets all the oxygen and nutrients they need.

Changes You Might Experience at 16 Weeks Pregnant

As your baby grows, your body continues to adjust. Here are some common experiences during Week 16:

  1. Increased Energy: You may feel like you have more stamina compared to the exhausting first trimester. Maybe you’ll even find yourself settling into a more predictable workout routine!

  2. Pregnancy Rhinitis: The increased blood volume can lead to stuffiness and occasional nosebleeds. Staying hydrated and using a humidifier can help alleviate these symptoms.

  3. Hormonal Acne: You may start to notice acne in the second trimester. Thanks to all those hormones, pregnancy acne is common! Finding natural skincare products can help keep acne at bay.

Programs that can help
On-demand video · 128 workouts Prenatal Workout On-Demand Follow-along workouts from week 5 to week 41, four or five a week with guided warm-ups and cool-downs — over 128 sessions coached in real time alongside the video. Learn more App program · 40 weeks Prenatal Strength Training A gym-based program that syncs to your current week of pregnancy — four strength sessions plus one pelvic stability workout a week, with demo videos for every exercise. Learn more Bundle · lifetime access MamasteFit Bundles Combine courses and programs for lifetime access and save up to 15% — grouped for birth preparation, the third trimester, or the whole pre and postnatal journey. Learn more

New Symptoms & Pregnancy Insomnia

One of the biggest changes this week has been pregnancy insomnia. I’ve been waking up at 3 a.m. and struggling to fall back asleep. This is earlier than in my past pregnancies, where I typically dealt with insomnia in the third trimester.

Some things I’m trying to help with sleep:

  • Magnesium supplements – I’m drinking LMNT electrolyte salts and taking Epsom salt baths.
  • Sleep aids – Considering Needed’s sleep support, which includes magnesium.
  • Tart cherry juice – Known to help with sleep, so I’ll be adding this to my nighttime routine.
  • Eating a small snack – Some say waking up can be due to low blood sugar, so I might try a light snack if I wake up again.

My Personal Experience in Week 16

Navigating the 16th week of pregnancy while already being a mother to three has been a unique journey filled with its own set of challenges and joys. Here are some more personal insights:

Physically, I feel pretty great! My energy levels are high, and I was able to complete all my strength workouts, which felt amazing. I skipped some optional conditioning, but overall, I’m happy with my activity level.

We also had an appointment with our midwife this week! She measured my belly at 14 cm, and we got to listen to baby’s heartbeat. My kids joined the appointment, which made it extra special—they even helped with the Doppler gel and got to feel where my uterus is growing. Such a sweet moment!

Conclusion

This pregnancy is flying by—I can’t believe I’m already halfway through the second trimester! Every week brings new developments, and I love documenting this journey. I’ll keep experimenting with ways to get better sleep, but for now, I’m embracing the wild ride that is pregnancy.

Every pregnancy is unique, and Week 16 can bring its own set of experiences and challenges. It’s essential to listen to your body, take care of your mental and physical health, and prepare for the exciting changes ahead.

If you’re looking for more support during your pregnancy, consider exploring our online prenatal fitness programs and childbirth education courses. You can bundle these for additional savings!

Programs that can help
On-demand video · 30 workouts Core, Pelvic Floor & Pelvic Stability Thirty follow-along workouts across beginner, novice, and advanced levels, ten per level — core and pelvic floor strength for pain relief in pregnancy or postpartum. Learn more Video course · 9+ hours Childbirth Education Over nine hours of video on contractions, comfort measures, pushing, and recovery — so you walk into labor knowing what's happening and what your options are at each stage. Learn more On-demand video · 24 workouts Birth Prep Workout Program Twenty-four workouts that open the pelvis for each stage of labor — strength, mobility, and positioning you can start at any fitness level, 15 to 30 minutes each. Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

What are good signs at 16 weeks pregnant?
Many moms-to-be notice their energy returning at 16 weeks as the exhausting first trimester fades — you may even find yourself settling into a more predictable workout routine. A steadily growing belly is another reassuring sign: at Gina's week-16 appointment, her midwife measured her belly at 14 cm and the family got to listen to baby's heartbeat. Every pregnancy is unique, so if you have questions about your own symptoms, your provider is the best person to ask.
Can I feel kicks at 16 weeks?
You might! When you first feel baby's movement can range from as early as 14 weeks to sometimes not until 24 weeks, depending on the location of your placenta, baby's position, and your own body. Moms in subsequent pregnancies usually feel movement earlier. Learn more in our guide to fetal kick counts and how they keep baby safe.
Where is my baby at 16 weeks in my stomach?
At 16 weeks, baby is tucked inside your growing uterus, which is now large enough to feel through your belly — at Gina's midwife appointment this week, her belly measured 14 cm and her kids even got to feel where her uterus was growing. Your provider or midwife will measure this growth (called fundal height) at your prenatal appointments to track how baby is developing.
How active is a 16 week fetus?
Baby is busy at 16 weeks! They're practicing sucking and swallowing — skills that will be essential after birth — while their facial muscles form and they work on their first expressions. Their ears are fully developed and can hear your voice, their eyes are starting to detect light, and their taste buds are beginning to sense hints of flavor in the amniotic fluid.