4 months pregnant (Week 16)
You will start to feel better and more energetic. You will probably be noticeably pregnant now. Your muscles and ligaments begin to slacken and your waistline disappears. Choose your food .carefully; your appetite will increase as you feel better and weight gain can be rapid. Start wearing comfortable, unrestrictive clothes (see when to buy maternity clothes). If you haven’t done so already, go out and buy a good bra with adequate support (see Best nursing bras Reviews).
4 months pregnant ultrasound and Medical tests
- A screening blood test may be offered at 15 to 18 weeks to determine your risk of having a baby with Down’s syndrome or spina bifida. Substances checked in this blood test are a protein produced by the liver called alpha- fetoprotein (AFP), oestriol and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).
- Levels of AFP are usually low so if the test reveals that they are higher than normal, it could indicate that you are carrying a baby with a neural tube defect. However, raised levels can also be caused by a twin pregnancy or by the pregnancy being further advanced than previously thought. Further tests will be offered before a definite diagnosis can be made.
- Your baby’s heartbeat; You may have an ultrasound at this stage or around weeks 20 to 22. The sonographer will check your baby’s size, her organs and her heartbeat.
4 months pregnant : Baby’s growth
As you enter the second trimester, all of your baby’s organs, nerves and muscles are formed and beginning to function together. Growth continues at a rapid pace, but baby is still small at this point — less than 3 ounces.
4 months pregnant : Week 13 Your baby’s eyes and ears are now clearly identifiable, although the eyelids are fused together to protect the developing eyes. They won’t reopen until about your 30th week. Tissue that will become bone is developing around your baby’s head and within the arms and legs. If you were able to sneak a peek at your baby this week, you might see some tiny ribs.
Your baby is now able to move his or her body in a jerky fashion, flexing the arms and kicking the legs. But you won’t be able to feel these movements until your baby grows a bit larger. Your baby may be able to put a thumb in his or her mouth, but sucking will come later.
4 months pregnant :Week 14 Your baby’s reproductive system is the site of most of the action this week. If you’re having a boy, his prostate gland is developing. If you’re having a girl, her ovaries are moving down her abdomen into her pelvis. In addition, because the thyroid gland is now functioning, your baby starts producing hormones this week. By the end of this week, the roof of your baby’s mouth (palate) will be completely formed.
4 months pregnant :Week 15 Eyebrows and hair on your baby’s scalp are starting to appear this week. If your baby is going to have dark hair, the hair follicles may begin making the pigment that will give the hair its dark color.
Your baby’s eyes and ears now have a baby-like appearance, and the ears have almost reached their final position, although they’re still riding a little low on the head. Your baby’s skin is adding hair follicles and accessory glands, but it is still very thin.
The bone and marrow that make up baby’s skeletal system continue to develop this week. Muscle development is continuing, too. By the end of the week, your baby will be able to make a fist.
4 months pregnant :Week 16 The skeletal and nervous system have made enough connections to signal movements of the limbs and body. In addition, your baby’s facial muscles are now well enough developed to allow for a variety of expressions. Inside your uterus, your baby may be squinting or frowning at you, although these movements aren’t conscious expressions of emotions.
Your baby’s skeletal system continues to develop as more calcium is deposited on the bones. If you’re having a girl, millions of eggs are forming in her ovaries this week. Beginning at 16 weeks, your baby’s eyes are sensitive to light.
Although you probably don’t even know it, your baby may be having frequent bouts of the hiccups. Hiccups often develop before your baby performs lung movements associated with breathing. Because your baby’s trachea is filled with fluid rather than air, the hiccups don’t make that characteristic hiccup sound.
At 16 weeks into your pregnancy, your baby is between 4 and 5 inches long and weighs a bit less than 3 ounces.
4 months pregnant baby size
The baby is now fully formed – she even has distinctive fingerprints. As the tiny bones inside her ears harden, the baby can hear sounds, for example, her mother’s voice. Her movements become more vigorous and fine hair, known as lanugo, appears all over her body.
- The head appears large for the body
- The skin is transparent
- Tiny fingernails are visible
Baby’s appearance at 16 weeks
- length: 16cm (6in)
- Weight: 135g (43/4oz)
4 months pregnant symptoms
You should be feeling much in the early stages of pregnancy and you will probably have more energy. You may notice changes in skin pigmentation your face, breasts and arms
- Your hair becomes thicker
- The nipples and areola become darker.
- Your waistline has disappeared and there is a visible bump
Optional Video : 4th Month – Symptoms during fourth month of pregnancy – Dr. Shefali Tyagi