weekly pregnancy calendar week 16

Photo by bam61907

I'm following a first-time pregnant mom, 19-year-old bam61907 on her exciting journey from bump to baby. Check back every Wednesday for the latest developments!

Week 16

What's Happening with Mom: I've been busy with work and homework this week, but I also had a trip to the ER. I started having cramping -- it was mild one minute and then severe the next.

I called my doctor and she told me to go get it checked out as she couldn't see me right away. Happily, everything was fine! The bleeding between my placenta and uterus is completely gone!

I didn't get a definitive answer for all the cramping. The doctor said it could be stress from too much work and school work, not drinking enough water, or just my abdominal area stretching out. She said the baby and I could be experiencing a "growth spurt."

Emotionally I've been pretty steady, except for an encounter with a male doctor in the ER who told me just to take Tylenol for the cramping. I raised my voice and said "Um, don't you think I've tried that?! I can only take so many Tylenol!" Other than that I've been myself.

I'm just so relieved that my baby is growing as it's supposed to -- and that I got to see it again, even if it meant a trip to the ER!

What's Happening with Baby: My facial muscles are developing, so I may be making small facial expressions as I move around; I can get the hiccups now, too (though of course they're silent.) I'm almost five inches long and my arms and legs are gaining length as well. I can clench my fingers into a small fist.

Question of the Week from Answers:

"Can you get morning sickness in your second trimester? I was told you only get it in your first three months, but for the past few days when I've gone out, I've puked out of nowhere. I felt fine -- in fact, I felt great. Then suddenly I puked. Is this normal?" -- MissKellee

"Some women have morning sickness all throughout their pregnancy. With my first child, I was barely sick and with my last, I was puking up until a few weeks before I had her." -- ICPclwnLOV

"Welcome to the wonderful world of parenting! The "generalizations" don't apply to everyone, and your baby won't fit neatly into all of the "standards" either." -- kaycee14

"It can happen at any point in pregnancy." -- abellvalerie

Are you in your second trimester? How are you feeling physically and emotionally? Share your thoughts and questions here.

Past weeks:

Week 15

Weeks 13 & 14

Week 12

Week 11

Week 10

Week 9

Week 8

Week 7