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| 16 Weeks Pregnant |
In this article
- Pregnancy Week 16: All About You
- Pregnancy Week 16: All About Baby
- How Big Is Baby?
- Most Common Pregnancy Questions
- Multiple Madness
- For Your Partner
- Fun Fact
There's no better time to plan a trip than right around 16 weeks pregnant. Find out what you need to know to make your vacation fun, safe, and healthy.
Now that it's finally sinking in that this baby thing is really going to happen, it's time to think about where it's going to happen! Plan your trip to the local hospitals and birth centers—and it's not too soon to think about your birthing plan.
Speaking of trips ... this is a great time to plan a get-a-way, too!
Pregnancy Week 16: All About You
In the coming weeks you should start to feel your baby move. You'll only feel a flutter at first, but before long you'll be able to distinguish kicks and hiccups, too. As your baby-to-be gets bigger, expect more soreness in your abdomen and back. Your breasts may also feel sore and larger as the tissue fills in and readies for milk production. As pregnancy hormones continue to pulse through your system to direct your body in baby production, you may experience headaches, dizziness, and even mood changes.
Travel while Pregnant
Your second trimester starts a window of weeks when you're feeling better than you have in a long time (goodbye nausea, hello baby bump). Your pregnancy glow is in full bloom, and your rounded belly fits beautifully into maternity pants. If you're going to travel at any point in your pregnancy, now is the time.
Physicians advise against travel in the first trimester due to the increased risk of miscarriage. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), travel during the third trimester is also discouraged because of the chance of going into early labor (no one wants to go into preterm labor on the beach in Oahu). With a few safety precautions in mind you can head off for some R&R before your days and nights are filled with feedings and diapers.
Talk to your healthcare provider: Before you make any plans, discuss travel with your healthcare provider. While you may be feeling good, she needs to evaluate your health before you go. Have a few destinations in mind when you talk to her about your travel plans. For example, if you've had problems with water retention, she may advise you against a humid locale, which may aggravate your condition. Also, ask her to copy your prenatal records so that you can bring them with you—just in case. And don't forget to make sure that you have her number handy on those records if you need to call her.
Bring an approved first aid packet: You should pack a basic first aid kit, filled with medicines that come in handy when traveling (for instance Tylenol, anti-diarrhea, heartburn, and cold medicines). Review with your physician any over-the-counter and prescription medications that you plan to bring on your trip. Not all over-the-counter medicines are safe for pregnancy.
Plan on some restrictions: Keep in mind while making your travel arrangements that you won't be able to do everything, even with a physician's OK. Resorts, theme parks, and other travel providers may have restrictions on pregnant women for insurance reasons—they don't want you going into preterm labor or having complications any more than you do. Plan on sitting out the thrill rides and skipping scuba diving in favor of more relaxing vacation pursuits, such as time at the spa.
While you're there: Pregnancy is not the time for adventure travel. Keep a leisurely pace during your travels and take care or yourself. You might be tempted to do everything available and be out all day, but this can cause problems. Walking too much can lead to uncomfortable swelling.
Staying hydrated is key, too. Dehydration can cause preterm labor pains. So, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent potty breaks. (Avoiding bathroom breaks can aggravate your bladder and lead to urinary tract infections.)
Don't hesitate to contact your healthcare provider at any time during your trip. If you have questions about how you're feeling or medications that you plan on taking, give your physician a quick call.
Where to go: Where you choose to travel depends on your physician's guidelines. An hour-long car ride might be preferable over a long plane trip if you've had concerns during your pregnancy.
You may also want to choose US beaches over foreign locales. Some foreign destinations, especially those in third world countries, have amazing resort facilities but few medical care options if you were to have a problem.
Pregnancy Week 16: All About Baby
By week 16, your baby-to-be's body is doing more to support itself. Her kidneys function and produce urine that then passes through the umbilical cord. Within her stomach, bile is secreted, although she relies on you for all of her nutrients. Her appearance changes as her scalp hair grows and may even have color. Her developing facial muscles make it possible for her to open and close her mouth, maybe even give you a smile or two.
How Big Is Baby?
This week, your little one is around 4.5 inches long (crown to rump) and weighs in around 3 ounces. Baby is about the size of an avocado.
Most Common Pregnancy Questions
Should I opt for an amnio? Are they safe?
An amniocentesis is a special pregnancy diagnostic test most commonly preformed between week 16 and week 20 of pregnancy. This test is done by taking a small sample of the amniotic fluid (the fluid your unborn baby is floating in) to check on your baby's development and to screen for certain chromosomal abnormalities, including Down syndrome.
This is not a routine test. It is suggested primarily to women who are at risk of having a baby with abnormalities. Factors considered when deciding on the need for an amniocentesis include:
- Your age (if you're over 35)
- Your family history
- If you've had positive results from a nuchal fold test done before week 14 of pregnancy.
The test is done using ultrasound to guide your doctor as she inserts a very thin needle into your abdomen. The needle enters the uterus and withdraws a small amount of amniotic fluid. The fluid obtained from this test is then sent to a laboratory for testing. It can take up to 10 to 12 days for the results to be available. This is an invasive test, so it does carry with it a small risk of miscarriage. However, according to ACOG (the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), the risk of miscarriage is about one percent, and complications are uncommon. Cramping, spotting, or leaking of amniotic fluid may occur after the procedure.
If you have questions or concerns, talk with your doctor before deciding on whether or not you want to have this test.
Multiple Madness
Twin Travel during Pregnancy
In a singleton pregnancy, most women are able to travel well into the third trimester. In a twin pregnancy, however, chances are you won't have that luxury.
Before you embark on a rip-roaring vacation while pregnant with multiples, check with your doctor. According to Dr. Susan Warhus, MD, author of Countdown to Baby, "The biggest concern is preterm labor." Women with low-risk singleton pregnancies can usually travel until 36 weeks, but women pregnant with multiples will need to stay closer to home sooner. "Every pregnancy differs, but a general guideline to stop traveling for twin pregnancies might be 24 to 26 weeks," says Dr. Warhus.
If your doctor does clear you for take off, Dr. Warhus suggests the following tips:
- Get a note from your doctor allowing you to travel and get on an airplane, if applicable.
- While traveling, walk around and stretch your legs every few hours. Prolonged sitting increases your risk for developing potentially life-threatening blood clots.
- Empty your bladder often. Holding in urine contributes to urinary tract infection, which can be uncomfortable and might also trigger preterm labor.
- Drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. Dehydration can cause increased heart rate for you and the babies, and can also contribute to preterm labor.
- When traveling by car and plane, always use your seat belt. If your belly has become too big for it to fit comfortably, call your car dealership and request a seat belt extender or ask a flight attendant for assistance.
- Bring along a copy of your prenatal medical records. That way, if you need to visit an unfamiliar hospital or medical clinic, the medical staff there will have your blood type, ultrasound, and other important information available about you and your pregnancy.
For Your Partner
The Power of Involved Fathers
Because the focus of pregnancy is primarily on the woman and unborn baby, many men enter fatherhood not understanding the importance of their roles. However, fathers are incredibly vital in their families' lives, as current research clearly points out. Recent findings have shown that when fathers believe that they're essential to the lives and health of their children, they become more involved.
But what difference does your presence as a dad really make?
Children of fathers who are involved in their lives are more likely to perform better in school, display higher levels of social competence, and experience fewer behavioral problems, according to studies performed by the US Department of Health and Human Services. These lucky kids are more likely to have healthy self concepts and be equipped to deal with life's challenges, experience better about their lives as adults, and also tend to have healthier marriages. Even more incredibly, daughters of involved fathers have higher self-esteem and begin sexual activity later in life than girls of less involved fathers.
One of the biggest reasons for this remarkable difference between children of delinquent fathers and children of dotting fathers is that being loved, adored, attended to, and stimulated by two people increases a child's sense of self, her intellect and social skills, and so much more.
This certainly doesn't negate the power of mothers, but rather reminds you that father involvement makes a significant difference in the life of your baby. Don't ever forget how much of a positive effect your involvement has on your child … no matter how old he or she is.
Fun Fact
According to the Travel Industry Association, married couples love to travel, married couples are the largest group of travelers at 62 percent, as cited in the 2004 Domestic Travel Report. No doubt many of these couples are taking babymoons (akin to a honeymoon, a trip aimed at giving you togetherness time with your partner before baby)!
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