Week 16: The Quickening

The Quick Brief

Week 16 marks your entry into the sweet spot of pregnancy. Morning sickness is fading, energy is returning, and your baby is big enough that your partner might feel the first tiny movements—though it'll still be a few weeks before you can feel them from the outside.

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What's Happening with Baby

Your baby is now about the size of an avocado (4.5 inches, 3.5 ounces) and their heart is working overtime, pumping roughly 25 quarts of blood per day. To put that in perspective, that's a surprisingly efficient system for something weighing less than a smartphone.

This week, the skeletal system is transitioning from soft cartilage to hardened bone, a process that will continue well after birth. The nervous system is making new connections rapidly—think of it as the initial infrastructure build before the software gets installed. Facial muscles are developed enough that your baby can make expressions, even though they're not conscious ones yet.

The eyes have moved from the sides of the head to their final position facing forward, and while the eyelids are still fused shut, the eyes can perceive light. Ears are nearly in their final position too, which means your baby is starting to pick up sounds. That muffled conversation you're having? They're getting the bass notes.

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What's Happening with Mom

Welcome to what many call the "honeymoon trimester." The intense fatigue and nausea of the first trimester are typically easing up, replaced by a noticeable energy boost. Progesterone levels have stabilized, and her body has largely adapted to its new normal.

The pregnancy is becoming visible. Her uterus is about the size of a papaya now, and that "is she pregnant or did she just eat a big lunch?" phase is ending. With this visibility comes back pain—the growing uterus shifts her center of gravity forward, and back muscles are compensating.

Increased blood flow (up 50% by the end of pregnancy) means her heart is working harder, which can cause nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and that "pregnancy glow" everyone talks about (it's literally just increased blood flow to the skin). She may also notice increased vaginal discharge—totally normal, just her body's housekeeping system working overtime.

This is often when women report feeling the "quickening"—the first fetal movements. It feels like bubbles, flutters, or a goldfish swimming around. Don't worry if she hasn't felt it yet; especially with a first pregnancy, it can take until week 20 or later.

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What Dad Should Do This Week

1. Start the Registry Research (Focus on Safety Gear First)

Don't just add random cute stuff—approach this like any major purchase decision. Start with the safety-critical items: car seat, crib/bassinet, and monitor. Car seats especially require research because they're federally regulated and vary significantly in ease of installation and safety ratings. Check NHTSA ratings and Consumer Reports. You'll need an infant car seat before the hospital will let you leave. Many fire stations offer free car seat installation checks—add this to your calendar for month 8.

2. Put Your Hand on the Belly (Regularly)

She might feel movements, but you won't feel kicks from the outside for several more weeks. That doesn't mean you should wait. Get in the habit now of connecting physically with the pregnancy. It helps make this feel real, it supports her, and it starts building your own bond. Five minutes before bed—hand on belly, talk to both of them. This isn't woo-woo stuff; it's relationship maintenance.

3. Address the Back Pain Proactively

Her center of gravity is shifting. Look into a pregnancy pillow (they're awkward and huge, but they work). Research prenatal massage options in your area. If she's on her feet a lot, compression socks can help with the swelling that's starting. Being proactive here beats being reactive when she's miserable at 3am.

4. Document the Bump

If you're going to do the progression photos, start now while it's becoming visible. Same location, same time of day, same outfit (or a form-fitting one that shows the bump). You'll be glad you have them later, and this is a small way to be actively involved.

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The Relationship Check-In

As the immediate crisis of first-trimester symptoms fades, it's a good time to actually talk about parenting. Not logistics—you'll have plenty of time for that. Talk about how you were parented. What worked? What do you want to do differently? What values are non-negotiable for you?

Conversation starter: "What's one thing your parents did that you definitely want to do with our kid? And one thing you definitely don't?"

This isn't about agreeing on everything right now. It's about understanding each other's defaults, because under stress, everyone reverts to their defaults. Better to surface those now than in the exhaustion of month three with a newborn.

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What's Coming Up

The next few weeks are a planning window. The anatomy scan (usually weeks 18-22) is the big milestone—a detailed ultrasound that checks all organ systems and can reveal gender if you want to know. Start thinking about whether you want to find out and, if so, who you'll tell and when. Also start thinking about childcare options if applicable; waitlists for good daycares can be 6-12 months in some areas.

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Quick Reference Box

Sources: Cleveland Clinic Fetal Development, March of Dimes Week by Week, American SPCC Fetal Stages