Isn’t it amazing that something that wasn’t even visible with naked eyes just 3 months ago is now as big as a navel orange? It definitely is! Well, you definitely have played a very crucial role in the process. Welcome to the 15th week of pregnancy where your baby is as big as 4-inches and has a host of fully-developed, working organs.
Your body is still going through a lot of hormonal fluctuations and even the increased blood supply could result in a host of symptoms. But rest assured that won’t really be as difficult as what you’ve experienced in the first trimester. As you’ve now got your energy back, it is time that you start focusing on being active and exercising on a daily basis.
There are now several exercise programs exclusively for pregnant women that you can try. If you have a workshop or pregnancy program close to your home, you can sign up for that as well as you are sure to feel better with other pregnant women. As your energy levels are better now and you don’t feel as miffed, try to spend as much time with your partner as possible as this might not be possible once you have a full-fledged baby bump.
Share your physical, emotional and mental discomforts with your partner as this will provide you with a lot of support and would help strengthen your relationship. If you are planning for a babymoon, start finalizing the details as you don’t have a lot of time left for it. Most women leave for the babymoon after the mid-pregnancy ultrasound which is just a month away now.
What else could you expect this week? Read this post to find out.
- 1st Week of Pregnancy
- 2nd Week of Pregnancy
- 3rd Week of Pregnancy
- 4th Week of Pregnancy
- 5th Week of Pregnancy
- 6th Week of Pregnancy
- 7th Week of Pregnancy
Baby’s Development in the 15th Week
All the different organs and parts of your little baby are now growing impressively. While the arms and legs were of the same length until now, the legs would get longer than the arms around the 15th week. While the eyelids are still fused, your baby has full-functioning eyes which can already sense light. Around this period, even the taste buds start developing.
Your baby can already hear things now. But apart from your heartbeat and some muffled noises of the outside world, the baby can’t really hear much. He/she might also start to hiccup and yawn soon but unfortunately, as the baby is still very small you won’t really be able to feel anything. The cartilage and bones started developing a few weeks ago and they start to ossify around the 15th week. This means that if your baby’s x-ray was taken, the bones would show in the x-ray.
The skin is still pretty transparent and the blood vessels can be easily seen through it. All the other organs like eyes and ears have taken their place and would continue growing in the following weeks. By the end of the week, even the hair pattern on the scalp would be established and soon after some hair might sprout as well. However, it is not necessary that your baby would have a head full of hair when it is delivered. A lot of babies have no or little hair when they are born.
Physical Changes in Women in the 15th Week
When you are 15 weeks pregnant, a lot of the first trimester symptoms are gone for good and you are still pretty mobile as the belly still hasn’t developed a full baby bump. You also have much better energy levels now and are back to eating normally. Take advantage of this phase and start developing healthy habits like exercising and eating healthy food as they can significantly help you as well as your baby.
If you are about to deliver twins, you’d probably have a much bigger baby bump by now. Most doctors agree that the weight gain is pretty rapid around this period. Start eating about 200-300 calories more than you generally eat to help your baby receive all the nutrition required for growth. Take good care of your dental health as swollen and sensitive gums is a common problem around the 15th week.
Apart from the belly, the breasts too would continue growing to prepare for lactation. Another common problem around this period is varicose veins due to all the increase in blood circulation. Walking for at least 20-30 minutes is an excellent way to prevent this problem.
- 8th Week of Pregnancy
- 9th Week of Pregnancy
- 10th Week of Pregnancy
- 11th Week of Pregnancy
- 12th Week of Pregnancy
- 13th Week of Pregnancy
- 14th Week of Pregnancy
Symptoms of 15th Week Pregnancy
As the hormone levels are starting to get normal, you’d get a much-deserved relief from a lot of annoying symptoms like morning sickness, nausea, etc. However, every pregnancy is different and you might take a few more weeks to notice any major difference. Some major 15th-week pregnancy symptoms are as follows-
- Nosebleeds
- Increased sex drive
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Swollen gums
- Darkening areolas
- Body aches
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
Tips for 15th Week Pregnancy
You are very close to completing the 4th month of your pregnancy after which it’d be just 5 months more. While they definitely sound pretty long, especially after what you’ve been through in the first trimester, things probably be won’t as bad in the following months. Some tips that can help you in the 15th week are as follows-
- Eat whole grains, vegetables, and fruits
- Swimming, walking, and yoga can help prevent swelling
- Avoid sitting in the same place for a long time
- Continue taking prenatal vitamins
- Look for a pregnancy exercise program
Conclusion
You are done with the first trimester of your pregnancy and things have considerably improved by now. The second trimester is all about the growth of your baby and how well you help your baby achieve the right growth. Your physical movements, emotional status, and what you consume are some of the most important things that you should focus on in the second trimester.
Surround yourself with your loved ones and sign up for a pregnancy workshop if you have one close to your home to get all the emotional and mental support you need.
Pregnancy Checklist at 15 Weeks Pregnant
- Start preparing for tests like MMS, amniocentesis, etc. if you’re having them
- Think about maternity leave from office
- Add about 300 calories more to your diet
- Fix your mid-pregnancy prenatal visit