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16 WEEKS, 1 DAY

167 days to go...

ultrasound of human fetus at 16 weeks and 1 day

Your baby today

At this stage of development, your baby's lips and mouth are well formed, and she can open and close her mouth and swallow. Inside her mouth, her taste buds are now mature, but she cannot taste anything yet because nerve connections are immature.

Since this is considered a safe stage of pregnancy, with no, or few, symptoms to contend with, it's a great time to go on vacation.

At this time, you're likely to be over the sickness and fatigue of the first trimester and not overburdened by, or uncomfortable from, a large belly yet. You can also rest easy knowing that your baby is developing well, with very little chance of a miscarriage occurring. Going on vacation is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your partner and pamper yourselves.

Relax and enjoy yourself, but be aware of the extra health precautions you need to take during pregnancy (see Traveling in Pregnancy). If you've had any complications, check with your doctor that it is safe to go on vacation.

Focus On... Safety

Enjoy a healthy vacation

If you go on vacation while you're pregnant, there are a few additional factors to consider, not least the fact that you might not have as much energy as you had before:

Give yourself plenty of time when you're trying to finish all those pre-vacation preparations at home and at work; getting ready for a vacation can be stressful. Pack hand luggage for a flight sensibly so that you won't have to carry heavy bags with you.
Plan a car trip carefully, bearing in mind that you may need more bathroom stops or snack breaks than usual.
Be aware that sightseeing will be more tiring than usual, so pace yourself and allow yourself to spend time in a cafe, just watching the world go by.
If you're abroad, drink bottled water-lots of it, especially if you're in a hot climate. Avoid having ice in your drinks since this tends to be made using tap water.
Peel fruit or wash fruit and vegetables with bottled water.
If you get diarrhea, it's even more important than usual to drink plenty of water to replace the fluid you've lost. Don't take diarrhea medication and check with your doctor before taking any type of treatment for diarrhea. If your urine is very concentrated and you can't keep fluid down, see a doctor.

You can enjoy hot climates but you may feel more comfortable sitting in the shade. If you're exposed to the sun, wear a high SPF sunscreen because your skin is likely to be more sensitive to the sun while you're pregnant.

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