At 16 weeks your baby is approximately 4.5 inches long, and weighs approximately 3.5 ounces(about the size of an avocado).
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double its weight and add inches to its length. The legs are much more developed, and its head is more erect than it has been. The patterning of the scalp has begun, though its locks aren't recognizable yet. Baby has even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, the heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby develops. The backbone and tiny muscles in its back are gaining strength, so it can straighten out its head and neck even more. Its eyes are finally working too, making small side-to-side movements and perceiving light (although the eyelids are still sealed). Another cool fact? Baby’s starting to be able to hear your voice—and he or she will recognize it at birth. Your baby's delicate skeleton continues to harden from rubbery cartilage to bone. Even so, its bones will remain somewhat flexible for an easier trip through the birth canal. The umbilical cord has fully matured with one vein and two arteries that are protected by Wharton's jelly (a thick substance that makes the cord slippery so it can move freely around your baby). Precious Images will now be able to tell you if you are having a girl, or a boy, if you want to know!!
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. This information is to give you a general idea of your baby's size.
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