16 weeks already! It really feels like the time is flying by, and with the rush of Christmas it seems like there’s so much going on at the moment.
What’s going on with the baby
At 16 weeks the baby is around the size of an avocado and they’ve started to grow toenails. Their limbs and joints are fully formed and they might even have worked out how to suck their thumb! It’s this week when the baby will have developed tiny bones in their ears which mean that they’ll be able to hear your voice.
What’s going on with me?
I’m so so pleased to say that the sickness has finally started to ease off! I’m having far more good days than bad ones now, so I’m really hoping that I can say goodbye to that part of pregnancy soon. I’m so relieved, as it carried on for so long with my first pregnancy that I’d resigned myself to the same this time around, but it just goes to show that every pregnancy is different.
I’m having trouble sleeping at night, despite being really tired. Max is still going through a stage of waking up, and although John is going to settle him most of the time, I’m still finding it very hard to get back to sleep afterwards. It may have something to do with the fact that as I’m so tired we’re heading to bed very early these days, so perhaps my body clock is just shifting.
I had my flu jab this week. I have to admit that I’m a bit of a sceptic about the effectiveness of the flu jab - as I’m asthmatic I’m offered it every year, and despite not having had flu many times in my life, 2/3 times where I have have been when I’ve had the jab! So I don’t tend to take up the offer usually, but being pregnant I’d rather not take the risk. I have to say that it was a bit of a stingy one this year, not helped by the fact that I had to take quite a clingy Max with me, so was trying to calm him down with one arm while I had the jab in the other!
As you can see from the photo above, the bump has well and truly popped and it’s very noticeable now! Despite feeling movement last week though, it’s still not by any means a regular thing and has been much less noticeable this week. (Although perhaps that’s to do with the fact that I’ve actually managed to get out and about a bit this week!)
Antenatal Appointments
I had my 16 week midwife appointment this week. A bit of a nothing appointment really though - I think I was in and out in about 10 minutes. I have my diabetes test booked in for 28 weeks, and then the next appointment will be the anomaly scan at 20 weeks. I was hoping that I would get to hear that baby’s heartbeat, but apparently in my area they don’t listen for that at the 16 week appointment as it can sometimes be tricky to find. I’m glad I got to hear it at the consultant appointment the week before though as it’s such a long time to wait without the reassurance of regular movement.
You can read my 15 week pregnancy update here.
January 4, 2017
Oh lovely look at that bump!! Glad to hear you are feeling better. As you know I struggled with pregnancy but as I sit here now looking at my tiny new baby it is so completely worth every single second. Take care of yourself xx
January 6, 2017
Thanks Natalie - I’m loving all your baby pics, he’s such a little cutie!
January 4, 2017
Look at the bump, love it! I remember being exactly the same with the sleeping when pregnant with Holly. Alice would wake up and just couldn’t get back off. It’s the most frustrating thing ever!! I hope Max starts sleeping better for you. I love these update posts x
January 6, 2017
Thanks Laura - I really hope so! It’s so frustrating, he was sleeping fine a few months back and then it just all went to pot
January 5, 2017
How lovely! So exciting, I’m glad the sickness has eased. I had it with both girls but not so much with Finley. Sarah
January 6, 2017
Thanks Sarah, it’s so hard to describe to people who haven’t experienced it, but it really does get you down! Interesting about the girl/boy sickness though - I was convinced Max was a girl because it was absolutely terrible with him, but obviously it didn’t go like that for me!
January 5, 2017
That’s great news that you’re feeling less sick although not being able to sleep as much must be a nightmare. Here’s hoping you manage to settle into more of a routine soon x
January 6, 2017
Thanks Rhian - the lack of sleep makes the sickness worse, so I’m really hoping it improves!
January 5, 2017
Oh congrats somehow I totally missed you had a number two on the way - what a lovely bump (and mama!) x
January 6, 2017
Ah, thanks so much Talya! It’s looking pretty big for the stage I’m at - I really do dread to think how enormous I’ll end up!
January 5, 2017
How exciting I used to love reading about the babies development each week when I was pregnant. Are you going to find out the sex at 20 weeks? I was so impatient I paid to have an early gender scan x
January 6, 2017
We’re debating it at the moment - I’d love to, but my husband thinks he might like a surprise. I really really want to know though!
January 5, 2017
Morning sickness is horrendous. Glad it’s calming down for you
January 6, 2017
Thanks Lyndsey, it really is awful!
January 6, 2017
I am glad to hear that the sickness has started to calm down for you.
You have such a lovely bump! I loved going for my 20 week scan, we found out Boo was a girl but I couldn’t quite bring myself to believe it, til she arrived!
January 6, 2017
Ah, I’ll be the same if they say it’s a girl I think! With Max I was convinced he was a girl, but this time I’m convinced it’s a boy (although obviously judging on past experience my intuition is not to be relied on!)
January 6, 2017
Aw glad to hear that your sickness has calmed down, nothing worse! And nice to hear that everything is going well with you and bump 🙂 x
January 6, 2017
Lovely post and what a great idea to record your pregnancy. Where I live they don’t check the heartbeat at all during antenatal appointments and only do so quickly during the scans, unless you are being monitored for other reasons. So it’s lovely that you got a chance to hear your baby’s heartbeat. Such a magical sound.
January 7, 2017
So glad the sickness is easing off for you. What a cute bump. You’re making me broody again x
January 8, 2017
Glad that the sickness is easing off for you, I was sick all the way through with my first so when I was pregnant with my second I was worried it would be the same but thankfully it eased off too, so all pregnancies really are different. I bet you can’t wait for your next scan!