16weeks
pregnant

Pregnancy symptoms at 16 weeks

You've probably gained at least 2.2kg/5 lb by now, maybe as much as 4.5 kg/10 lb. Your uterus is growing and you might feel pains caused by the ligaments stretching in your abdomen. These pains are usually temporary but your growing uterus will put extra strain on your back. Follow our tips for protecting your back to avoid backache.

Many people worry about what labour will be like and how they'll cope as new parents -- it's all perfectly normal. Try chatting with parents about how they felt at this stage and read up on what happens in labour.

It's a good time for a last minute vacation if you can spare the time and money. Traveling in the middle trimester is often recommended because you are usually over the early pregnancy feelings of nausea and fatigue and still not too far advanced for size or premature labour to be a problem. If you are booking now for a flight later in pregnancy, make sure your airline will allow you to fly at that stage. Otherwise, follow our tips for trouble-free travel during pregnancy.