16 Week Belly Picture!!!

Without getting into too much detail, this is the month where the method of feeding the baby begins to kick into gear. Blood flow to this general area increases by up to 50%. Inside, the baby has developed the ability to hold its head upright. Remember that the baby is in a fluid, so this skill is easier than when the baby is born and that head is flopping all over the place. With vastly more developed muscle tissue in the face, the baby can squint, frown, and open its mouth. Bones are developed enough to show up on x-rays now. The fingernails are well formed now and the legs have no surpassed the arms in length. This week, the baby has a far better and stronger range of motion than in the past and that makes this week the first week that the baby can be felt by the Mother, supposedly feeling like gas bubbles or fluttering. Often times, the first movement of the baby may not be felt until week 20, especially in first time pregnancies, but Antoinette may be lucky. Over the past day or so, she has felt a slight bump, usually in three or four consecutive taps that she said could easily be gas bubbles. They are in the center of her belly and don't last very long. For you Moms out there, a little help please. Is this baby kicking or gas bubbles? Finally, at this point, pregnant women can begin to notice their hearts beating faster and harder, sometimes even "louder" in their chests. This is because the body is now pumping 20-25% more blood through her system than normal. 11 days until we find out the gender!!!