You and your baby at 16 weeks pregnant

Your baby at 16 weeks

The muscles of the baby's face can now move and the beginnings of facial expressions appear. Your baby cannot control these yet.

The nervous system continues to develop, allowing the muscles in your baby's limbs to flex. Around this time, your baby's hands can reach each other – they can form a fist and hold each other when they touch.

You at 16 weeks

Itching in pregnancy can be a sign of the rare liver disorder intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, sometimes called obstetric cholestasis or OC.

Find out more about itching in pregnancy and when to call your midwife or hospital.

Things to think about

Find out about having a healthy diet in pregnancy and tips for healthy snacks.

Find out about antenatal classes to help you to prepare for birth.

You're entitled to free prescriptions and dental care throughout your pregnancy and until 1 year after the birth. If you have not already gotten your maternity certificate to prove you're eligible, ask your midwife for your MATB1 form to fill in as soon as possible.

You usually have the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine at around 20 weeks pregnant, but you can have it from 16 weeks.

Find out more about whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy.

Start4Life has more about you and your baby at 16 weeks of pregnancy

You can sign up for Start4Life's weekly emails for expert advice, videos and tips on pregnancy, birth and beyond.