1. How Big Is Your Baby?
The crown-to-rump length of your baby by this week is 4⅓ to 4⅔ inches (10.8 to 11.6cm). Weight is about 2¾ ounces (80g).
2. How Big Are You?
Six weeks ago, your uterus
weighed about 5 ounces (140g). Today, it weighs about 8¾ ounces (250g).
The amount of amniotic fluid around the baby is increasing. There is
now about 7½ ounces (250ml) of fluid. You can easily feel your uterus
about 3 inches (7.6cm) below your bellybutton.
3. How Your Baby Is Growing and Developing
Fine hair covers your baby’s head. The umbilical cord is attached to the abdomen; this attachment has
moved lower on the body of the fetus. Fingernails are well formed.
At this stage, arms and legs are moving.
You can see movement during an ultrasound examination. You may also be
able to feel baby move; many women describe feelings of movement as a
“gas bubble” or “fluttering.” Often, it’s something you may have
noticed for a few days, but you didn’t realize what you were feeling.
Then you realize you’re feeling baby moving inside you!
By this week, soft lanugo hair covers
the baby’s body and head.
4. Changes in You
If you haven’t felt your baby move yet, don’t worry. Fetal movement, also called quickening,
is usually felt between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. The time is
different for every woman and can be different from one pregnancy to
another. One baby may be more active than another. The size of the baby
or the number of fetuses can also affect what you feel.
Multiple-Marker Tests
Multiple-marker tests, such as the
triple-screen and quad-screen tests, are usually done 15 to 18 weeks
after your last menstrual period. These tests measure levels of certain
substances in your blood and are based on your age, weight, race and
whether you smoke or have diabetes requiring insulin. The triple-screen
test is discussed below. The quad-screen test is discussed in Week 17.
Dad Tip
Do you have concerns you haven’t shared
with anyone? Are you concerned about your partner’s health or the
baby’s? Do you wonder about your role in labor and delivery? Are you
worried about being a good father? Share your thoughts with your
partner. You won’t burden her. In fact, she’ll probably be relieved to
know she’s not alone in feeling a little overwhelmed by this monumental
life change.
Triple-Screen Test. The triple-screen test
can go beyond alpha-fetoprotein testing in helping your healthcare
provider determine if you might be carrying a child with Down syndrome.
The triple-screen checks your alpha-fetoprotein level, along with the
amounts of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and unconjugated estriol
(a form of estrogen produced by the placenta). Abnormal levels can
indicate baby has a problem.
This test has a higher level of
false-positives, which means the test says there’s a problem when there
really isn’t. One reason for this is a wrong due date. If you believe
you’re 16 weeks pregnant, but are actually 18 weeks pregnant, hormone
levels will be off, which could make test results incorrect. If you’re
carrying more than one baby it can also cause inaccurate tests results.
If you have an abnormal result, ultrasound and amniocentesis may be
recommended.
This blood test is used to find possible problems. It is a screening test. A diagnostic test will usually be done to confirm any diagnosis.
