week 16 of pregnancy: what's going on inside

overview

by now, you may be looking a little more pregnant on the outside. and inside, your baby is starting to look more human and may even have sprouted a little bit of hair.

wondering what your baby looks like at 16 weeks? your baby is now about the size of an avocado. average baby length is 12 cm (4.7 in.).

how your baby is changing

here are some of the important facts and developments around 16 weeks.

this month, babies' faces have become more human. their eyes have moved from the sides of their head to the front. their ears have moved from the neck to the sides of their head.
by the end of 14 weeks of pregnancy, their sex organs are starting to develop. it will be a few weeks before an ultrasound will show the sex.
by now, your baby may have started thumb-sucking and is rolling, kicking, and moving around a lot.
if this is not your first pregnancy, you might be feeling your baby move. the first flutters you feel are called "quickening." it takes a little longer to notice this in a first pregnancy.

related information

credits

current as of: july 10, 2023

author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

this information does not replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise, incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. your use of this information means that you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy. to learn more about healthwise, visit healthwise.org. © 1995-2022 healthwise, incorporated. healthwise, healthwise for every health decision, and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise, incorporated.

advertisement