Pregnancy Week – 15

Welcome to week 15 of your pregnancy. You’re 15 weeks pregnant now, and time has gone by so fast!

Pregnancy Week – 15
Pregnancy Week – 15

Welcome to week 15 of your pregnancy. You’re 15 weeks pregnant now, and time has gone by so fast! This, your second trimester, is often an exciting time for parents-to-be when bellies pop, news spreads, energy levels rise, and nausea subsides. 

How big is your 15 weeks baby?

At 15 weeks pregnant, baby is as big as a navel orange. The average 15-week fetus weighs 2.5 ounces and measures 4 inches—and baby's proportions are becoming even more normal, since his or her legs now out-measure the arms.

Pregnancy Belly Week 15

Your 15 weeks pregnant belly is making a big transition. During the first trimester, your uterus still fit nicely inside your pelvis. But now, it’s stretching to accommodate your growing baby and will soon outgrow your pelvis and sit higher up in your belly.

The size of your 15 weeks pregnant belly will largely depend on how many pregnancies you’ve had. If this is your first pregnancy, your abdominal muscles haven’t been stretched before, so it might take longer for you to develop a proper baby bump. But if you’ve had previous pregnancies, these muscles are more lax and you’ll be showing more of a 15 weeks pregnant bump.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 15

Those uncomfortable first trimester symptoms have probably gone away by now, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be having any 15 weeks pregnant symptoms. These are some of the most common symptoms during week 15 of pregnancy:

  • Heartburn: as your uterus grows bigger, it presses more into the other organs inside your abdomen. This can lead to acid reflux and heartburn.
  • Stuffy nose: your hormones increase the blood flow to your mucous membranes, which can cause a stuffy nose. This is also called “pregnancy rhinitis”.
  • Nosebleeds: the increased blood flow to your nose can also make it more likely for you to suffer from nosebleeds.
  • Swollen gums: your gums are extra-sensitive now due to pregnancy hormones, and they’re more prone to bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth.

 

Pregnancy Ultrasound Week 15

Your doctor might not schedule an ultrasound for you this week, especially since you probably had your first-trimester ultrasound recently. However, moms who are carrying high-risk pregnancies might have an ultrasound appointment.

If you do get a 15-week ultrasound, it’s possible that your doctor could determine the baby’s gender. You probably can't feel it yet, but 15 weeks pregnant ultrasound would reveal that baby's squirm a ton in there, now that he or she is able to move all limbs and joints! Baby might even be hiccupping inside your 15 weeks pregnant belly.

Pregnancy Lifestyle Week 15

  • Make sure you’re getting enough calcium: since your baby’s bones are beginning to ossify, calcium is more important than ever. A prenatal supplement should be able to provide the calcium you need.
  • Monitor your weight gain: drastic weight gain can be a sign of preeclampsia; talk to your doctor if you think you’re gaining too many pounds. 
  • Keep a healthy diet: you’ve probably made some healthy dietary changes in the previous weeks, and your 15 weeks pregnant diet should stay healthy. This will help you avoid excessive weight gain.
  • Go to the dentist: it might not be pleasant, but taking care of your teeth can actually lead to a healthier pregnancy. Women who develop gingivitis during pregnancy have a higher risk of complications, including preterm birth.

Pregnancy Checklist Week 15

Here is a checklist for week 15 pregnancy:

  • Schedule your multiple marker screening
  • Research and learn more about the type of delivery you’d like.
  • Rest frequently with your feet elevated and be sure to drink plenty of water.
  • Schedule your amniocentesis, if you’re having one.
  • Talk to your baby and play music or audiobooks so they can hear.