Week 16

What’s happening this week

You…

• may feel hungrier than usual
• may see your breasts continuing to get larger, and more tender
• could notice some bleeding in your gums
• may notice some swelling in your feet and ankles.
• you may need to remove rings in case your hands swell.

Your baby…

• measures about 11 cm
• has a body now growing faster to catch up with the head
• has fingernails
• has all joints and limbs in place.

If you have decided to have an amniocentesis, it may be done this week. We explain what happens in this test and explain all those abbreviations in your notes.

Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is usually carried out on week 15 or 16 of your pregnancy.Indications for having this test performed are:

• If results from earlier blood tests show a high risk of your baby having an abnormality.
• You are over 35 – birth defects are higher in women over 35 – some hospitals offer this test routinely to women over 35.
• You have a family history of genetic abnormalities.

What is amniocentesis?

It is a diagnostic test to detect genetic abnormalities such as Spina bifida, Down syndrome and other rare conditions. An amniotic fluid sample is taken from around the baby.

How is it carried out?

A needle guided by direct ultrasound scan - to ensure no harm to the baby or placenta will be inserted through the wall of your abdomen. Local anaesthetic is used to minimise discomfort. A sample of amniotic fluid is drawn into a syringe. A doctor listens to the baby’s heartbeat after the test to ensure all is well .You are advised to rest for 24hours.

Amniotic fluid contains cells from the fetus. Culture of these cells in a laboratory will determine whether your baby has a genetic abnormality such as Down syndrome. Results can take from 10 days to 3 weeks.

Are there any risks?

A small risk that the procedure can cause miscarriage – 1:100 to 1:200.

FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation)

Is an additional screening test which can be carried out on amniotic fluid and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). It detects the most common chromosomal abnormalities. The results are available in 2 working days. This test is NOT free. For more information ask your LMC.

What next?

If an abnormality like Down syndrome is detected, a termination may be offered. If you decide to continue with the pregnancy, see ‘Who can help’.

Jargon busters

Wonder what all those strange abbreviations on your medical notes stand for? All is revealed…

Alb – Albumin

A protein – protein in your urine could mark a potential problem, or an infection like cystitis.

BP – Blood Pressure

You’ll see two figures in this reading: the top one is the systolic measurement (when your heart pushes the blood through your body) and the lower one is the dystolic pressure (in the pause between heartbeats); a sudden rise in blood pressure could indicate a problem.

EDD – Expected Date of Delivery (sometimes EDC, Expected Date of Confinement)

Worked out using the date of your last period and sometimes using ultrasound dating scans.

Eng – Engagement

When your baby’s head moves down into your pelvis later in pregnancy.

FH – Fetal Heart

FHH means the Fetal Heart was heard!

FMF – Fetal Movement Felt

Your baby may manage a good kick during a check up.

Fundus – the top of the uterus

The height the fundus has reached in your abdomen is a sign of how many weeks pregnant you are.

Hb – Haemoglobin

The part of the red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body, and which need iron to work well. Levels below 120mm/1 may mean you need extra iron.

LMP – Last Menstrual Period

This date is used to work out when your baby is due.

NAD – No Abnormality Detected

It means everything’s fine.

Presentation

The way the baby is lying – head up or down, or sideways.

NE – Not Engaged

Towards the end of pregnancy, you may see numbers such as 3/5 or 4/5, which show how far the baby’s head has dropped into your pelvis.

Oedema – this means swelling

Usually of the ankles, face, hands or abdomen. It may be measured by +(mild), ++ (moderate), +++(severe) or Nil (which means none).

Glucose… means sugar!

It’s common to find a trace of sugar in your urine, but a high level could mean further tests to see if you are developing diabetes (see Week 14).

T or Tr – trace

You may see “Tr ketones” or “+ ketones” if there is a small amount of ketones in the urine. Your LMC will explain why this is occurring.

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