Stage Details

Before this point the baby head was not in proportion with body. As the baby grows the body also starts filling out. Also, by this time, baby toes and fingers will form the unique pattern and develop finger prints. The placenta also continues to grow.                                                    

Pregnancy Symptoms  

Congratulations, you have crossed a crucial phase of your pregnancy. As per doctors, the chances of miscarriage after 16th week of pregnancy are minimal (around 1%). But there are some symptoms that can appear now like:  

• More rapid weight gain: By this time, you must have gained some weight, but from now onwards, there will be rapid weight gain due to rapid growth of the baby.But do keep a check on excessive weight gain and consult your doctor.  
• Itchy breasts and belly: Due to excessive stretching of skin with the growth of baby, your skin can become thin and more sensitive. Boobs and belly both increase in size and become itchy by his time.  
• Stretch marks at belly: Due to continuous expanding of uterus with growing baby, your skin gets stretched and you may see some stretch marks over your belly. This is part of your wonderful motherhood and you should embrace this with proud. After all, your baby is the reason for these marks.

Exercise and physical activity

Exercise and doing some form of physical activity daily is very important during pregnancy. So motivate yourself with these great reasons to exercise during pregnancy.  

• Improve muscle tone 
• Increase strength 
• Prepare you for the physical demands of labor and birth 
• Eases pregnancy niggles 
• Decrease the chances of pregnancy complications

Things to do this week

• Do not scratch your itchy skin and apply a soothing skin cream to ease the itch.  
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated  
• Use a good quality moisturizer to combat stretch marks 
• Intake of vitamin k helps to prevent blood loss during and after childbirth. So, include foods like VEG: Kale, Swiss chard, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, avocado, banana and, Non Veg: Beef liver egg etc. to get some vitamin K.  
• Use weight gain tracker to track weight at regular intervals.