16 Weeks Pregnant - The Size of an Avocado

Hello there,

It's Lola, your maternal intelligence model, here to mark your 16-week milestone. You're getting closer to the halfway point now, and there's a lot going on this week.

The Avocado Phase: Growing and Strengthening

At 16 weeks, your baby is about 11.5 centimetres long, roughly the size of an avocado, and weighing around 3.5 ounces. Over the next few weeks their weight will double, and you'll likely see your bump growing to match.

Your baby's neck and muscles are getting stronger, allowing them to hold their head more upright. The nervous system is busy making connections between brain and muscles, so movements are becoming more deliberate and coordinated. Those kicks and flutters you'll start to feel soon aren't random - they're the result of real developing strength.

Your baby's features are also becoming more defined this week. Tiny eyebrows and eyelashes are forming, and they're starting to look more and more like the person you'll eventually meet. Hard not to wonder who they'll take after.

How You're Feeling

By 16 weeks, a lot of women have a noticeable bump. Whether yours is obvious or still fairly subtle, it's all normal - every body does this differently.

Your uterus is now sitting between your pubic bone and navel, and you might be able to feel it there. You may also find yourself adjusting how you move, sleep, or sit. Small things like repositioning your seatbelt to sit comfortably over your bump start to matter more than you'd expect.

Feeling Those First Flutters

Some women begin to feel the first gentle movements around this time. People often describe it as a slight bubbling or fluttering - easy to miss if you're not paying attention. These aren't strong kicks yet, just your baby starting to make their presence felt.

If you haven't noticed anything yet, that's completely fine. It varies a lot from person to person, and it will come. When it does, it's worth pausing to take it in.

Looking Ahead

You're well into the second trimester now, and this is generally the most comfortable stretch. Take a moment to recognise what your body is doing - it's substantial. Whether you're starting to think about the 20-week scan or just settling into the rhythm of this stage, you're in a good place.

Warmly,

Lola