Between 16 and 20 weeks pregnant, you're in your second trimester and your baby is rapidly developing. You might feel your baby move for the first time, and you might also be offered an ultrasound....
At 16 weeks pregnant, a fetus is about the size of an avocado, measuring around 11.6cm long and weighing approximately 110 grams, with developing facial features, the ability to move limbs, and may even start making facial expressions although they cannot control them yet; this is considered the beginning of the second trimester where significant growth occurs.
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At 12 weeks, a fetus measures about 5–6 cm (2–2.5 inches) in length and weighs approximately 14 grams (0.5 ounces).
This stage marks the end of the first trimester, with significant growth and development:
Facial Featur...
The Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) test is a screening method used during pregnancy to assess the risk of certain chromosomal abnormalities in a developing baby. It analyzes small fragments of fetal DNA circulating in the mother's blood. Here are the key points:
Purpose: NIPT screens for conditions like Down syndrome ...
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube. It is a serious condition that cannot result in a viable pregnancy and can be life-threatening if untreated.
Causes:
Blockage or damage to the fallopian tubes due to infections (e.g., pelvi...
Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, also called trisomy 21. It affects physical development, cognitive abilities, and overall health, occurring in about 1 in 700 births.
Key Features:
Physical Traits: Flattened face, upward-slanting eyes, small ears, short nec...
The Rhesus (Rh) factor is a protein on red blood cells. If you have it, you’re Rh-positive; if not, you’re Rh-negative. This becomes important during pregnancy when the mother is Rh-negative, and the baby is Rh-positive, inherited from the father.
When the baby’s Rh-positive blood cells mix with the mother...
The Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) test is a screening method used during pregnancy to assess the risk of certain chromosomal abnormalities in a developing baby. It analyzes small fragments of fetal DNA circulating in the mother's blood. Here are the key points:
Purpose: NIPT screens for conditions like Down syndrome ...
Morning sickness can be treated with a combination of dietary changes, medications, and rest.
Dietary changes
Eat small, frequent meals of bland foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat
Eat foods that contain ginger, such as ginger tea, ginger ale, or crystallized ginge...
During the first trimester (weeks 1–12), a mother’s body undergoes significant changes to support the developing baby:
Hormonal Changes:
Increased hCG, progesterone, and estrogen support pregnancy but can cause nausea, fatigue, and mood swings.
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