Mom and Baby at 16 Weeks Pregnant

You might not be able to fill them out for a couple more weeks, but if you're shopping online, you'll want to buy before you're ready for the clothes, due to wait times on shipping.

The most exciting development this week is feeling your baby move. Not all women will be able to feel their baby's movements this early, but you may be able to discern his/her tiny movements if you pay careful attention. (Mothers who have given birth before will be able to feel their baby's movements earlier than first-time pregnant moms.)

Your baby's movements, called "quickening," may feel like little butterflies in your stomach, or little gas bubbles. At 16 weeks pregnant, you may not recognize this sensation as your baby moving around. Not to worry - quickening will grow stronger and you'll feel them more often as you continue your pregnancy.

At 16 weeks pregnant, you may be having another prenatal visit with your healthcare provider. At this visit, you will undergo a routine screening test called an alpha-fetaprotein (AFP) test.

Helpful Tip:

This is the perfect time for a romantic getaway, or a vacation with your significant other. You aren't too huge yet, and you have renewed energy and few pregnancy symptoms. It will be a long while before you get another opportunity to travel, so don't pass up on this chance!

PREGNANCY 411

Second Trimester Screening Test: Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test

Sometime between 16 weeks and 18 weeks of pregnancy, you will undergo a routine screening test called an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test. This is a simple blood test that measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein in your blood. Alpha-fetoprotein is a substance that's produced by your baby's yolk sac and liver, and a trace amount crosses the placenta to enter your blood stream.

Abnormal levels of AFP in your blood stream can indicate that there's a problem with your baby, such as birth defects. If you have higher than average levels of this protein, this can indicate that your baby is at elevated risk for spinal cord problems (such as spina bifida) and Down syndrome.

Keep in mind that an AFP test is only a screening test, not a diagnostic test. It only indicates that your baby may be at higher risk for a birth defect. It does not diagnose your baby with a certain illness. While the AFP test is fairly accurate, it's not 100 percent accurate. Certain factors can skew your results.

If you do get an abnormal result, your doctor may suggest you undergo further testing, including diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis (which is typically performed between 16 weeks and 20 weeks pregnant). An amniocentesis is more invasive than the AFP test, and it does come with certain risks. Your doctor will guide you through the risks and benefits of an amniocentesis in your individual case.

Is it possible to get pregnant when you are still having Yeast Infection? The answer is "Yes". If your partner or yourself has a yeast infection, it is very likely to pass the infection to one another. I would advise Yeast sufferers to refrain themselves from having sexual intercourse while they are still infected.

The only best way to conceive the safe way is to have your problem treated first. Of course, by the end of the day, nobody hope to get infection again when they recover.