September 8, 2026

Pregnancy week 16: symptoms, baby size and tips

Q: Is nasal congestion or a little nosebleed normal?

Yes, it's called \\\"pregnancy rhinitis\\\", caused by the extra blood flow making your mucous membranes swell. It's common and harmless. If the bleeding is heavy, keeps happening or comes with other symptoms, talk to your doctor.

Pregnancy week 16 keeps you right in the second trimester, the stage many describe as the easiest: nausea has usually settled, your energy is back and your bump is starting to show for real. Your baby is now about 11 or 12 centimetres, roughly the size of an avocado, and this week brings lovely new things: they can start to perceive light, hear you better every day and pull faces. Let me walk you through it.

If you’re coming from pregnancy week 15, you’re on a great track. And to have the whole path at hand, check out our pregnancy week by week guide.

What is pregnancy week 16?

As always, pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period (LMP), not from conception. In week 16 you’re about 14 weeks from fertilisation, in your fourth month (weeks 14–17) and still in the second trimester, which runs from week 13 to week 28.

By now the placenta is a well-oiled machine: it makes the hormones (mainly progesterone and oestrogen) and feeds your baby with everything they need through the umbilical cord, which is growing thicker and stronger this week. Your uterus keeps rising above your pelvis, which usually means a more visible bump and less pressure on your bladder than in the early months.

What can you see on a week 16 scan?

This usually isn’t a routine scan week for everyone, but if you have one, it’s a lovely moment because your baby already looks like a real baby:

They’re starting to perceive light: their eyelids are still closed, but the muscles of the eyes are active and the brain responds to light. If a bright light reaches them, they notice the change.
They hear you better every day: the tiny ear bones are settling into place and their hearing keeps sharpening. They pick up your voice, your heartbeat and the sounds of your digestion.
They pull faces: the facial muscles are developing and they can frown, squint and open their mouth.
They hold their head more upright: their neck is getting stronger and they no longer look so curled up.
They stretch and bend their arms and legs, move their joints and turn around non-stop.
Their skin is still thin and see-through, which reveals the pattern of their blood vessels, and it’s covered in fine hair called lanugo.

If you haven’t taken a test yet, don’t worry: your hCG is still high and any test is very reliable. You can take our free online pregnancy test for guidance with your symptoms, and if you fancy a distraction, try our finger pregnancy test game: it’s just a game, not a real test.

What symptoms are normal in week 16?

Every pregnancy is different, but in week 16 most women are in a fairly friendly place:

Your bump becomes more visible: your uterus now clearly sticks out above your pubic bone and people start to notice you’re pregnant.
You may start to feel movement: if you’ve been pregnant before, you might already notice some fluttering in your lower belly. If it’s your first pregnancy, the first movements usually come between weeks 18 and 22.
Your appetite stays awake: with fewer aversions and less nausea, eating is enjoyable again. A good moment to take care of your diet.
Nasal congestion and light nosebleeds: \“pregnancy rhinitis\” is still common because of the extra blood flow. If the bleeding is heavy or ongoing, talk to your doctor.
Twinges or cramps in your lower belly (round ligament pain): as your uterus grows, that ligament stretches and you feel sharp pulls when you change position or sneeze. That’s normal, but if the pain is strong or persistent, talk to your doctor.
Heartburn or indigestion: progesterone relaxes the stomach valve and acid can come up. Eating little and often helps.
Cramps in your legs, especially at night: common in the second trimester. Gently stretching your calves and staying hydrated helps.
Skin changes: the linea alba (a darker line below the belly button), darker areolas and more of that \“pregnancy glow\” can all appear. All of it is normal.

Hardly any symptoms? Also completely normal. Every woman experiences each week in her own way.

How big is the baby in week 16?

Week 16 baby, the size of an avocado

The baby in week 16 measures about 11 or 12 centimetres (from head to toe) and weighs around 80 to 100 grams, roughly the size of an avocado. And although they’re still small, this week they’re full of activity:

Their little heart is already pumping about 25 litres of blood a day, and that number will only keep rising in the coming weeks.
Their eyes are starting to work: the eyelids are closed, but there are already eye movements behind them and they perceive light.
Their hearing keeps maturing: they can pick up sounds, especially deep ones like your voice or your heartbeat.
They make their first facial expressions: they frown, squint and open their mouth.
Their neck is getting stronger and they hold their head more upright.
Their bones keep hardening as the whole skeleton calcifies.
Their coordination improves: they stretch their arms, move their legs and their joints work brilliantly.
The umbilical cord is growing thicker and stronger, getting ready to nourish them for the whole pregnancy.

Fun fact: even though they move a lot, it’s very likely you still can’t feel their movements, especially if it’s your first pregnancy. First-time mums usually feel the first movements between weeks 18 and 22. Don’t worry if you notice nothing yet: it’s completely normal.

Tips for week 16

Don’t expect to feel movements yet: if you notice nothing, it doesn’t mean something’s wrong. First-time mums usually feel movement around weeks 18–22.
Watch your posture: as your bump grows, try to sit and walk with a straight back to avoid lower-back discomfort.
Sleep on your side, preferably the left: it improves circulation to the uterus and helps with heartburn. Put a pillow between your knees for extra comfort.
Keep taking folic acid: although the neural tube has closed, it’s still important. I explain everything in folic acid in pregnancy.
Take care of your diet: fruit, vegetables, protein and hydration. Keep avoiding alcohol, smoking and raw foods, and eat several small meals a day to help with heartburn.
Exercise gently and calmly: walking, swimming or prenatal yoga are great for your mood and prepare your body for birth.
Don’t self-medicate: always ask your doctor before taking anything.
Work out your due date with the gestogram and track your week with how many weeks pregnant am I.

FAQ

What month am I in during week 16?

You’re in your fourth month of pregnancy (weeks 14–17), within the second trimester. You’re about 14 weeks from fertilisation.

How big is the baby in week 16?

About 11 or 12 centimetres from head to toe and between 80 and 100 grams: roughly the size of an avocado. Their heart is already pumping litres of blood a day, they can perceive light and hear you better every day.

Why can’t I feel the baby moving yet?

Because they’re still very small and are often in a position where you can’t perceive them. First-time mums usually feel the first movements between weeks 18 and 22. It’s completely normal.

Can the baby hear me in week 16?

Yes, better and better. The tiny ear bones are settling into place and their hearing matures week by week: they pick up mostly deep sounds, like your voice or your heartbeat.

Is nasal congestion or a little nosebleed normal?

Yes, it’s called \“pregnancy rhinitis\”, caused by the extra blood flow making your mucous membranes swell. It’s common and harmless. If the bleeding is heavy, keeps happening or comes with other symptoms, talk to your doctor.

What are those twinges in my lower belly?

Usually it’s the round ligament, which stretches as your uterus grows. It’s normal and harmless. If the pain is strong, persistent or comes with other symptoms, talk to your doctor.

Sources

Remember this article is for information only. If you have questions about your health or think something might be off, talk to your doctor. They can advise on the right tests and support you through this special time ❤️.