Fetal development at 15 weeks of pregnancy

15 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy

When you're pregnant, you have lots of questions. Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is packed with lots of useful information. From what's happening inside your body, to how your baby is developing, and tips and advice on having a healthy pregnancy – this is your one-stop pregnancy guide!

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2nd trimester
3rd trimester

Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is full of essential information. From staying fit in pregnancy to advice on your maternity rights, you'll find it all here.

Week 13
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Week 16
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Week 19
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Week 21
Week 22
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Week 25
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Week 27

If you use public transport, you might want to order a “Baby on Board” badge to prompt other commuters into giving up their seat for you. You might feel fine now, but as you get bigger, you will be more unstable on your feet, and falling over could be stressful and even dangerous.

What's happening in my body?

Your baby is growing quickly and comes with a lot of packaging (the amniotic sac and fluid) and their own food supply (placenta). You could start getting the odd jabbing pain on the sides of your bump. This is known as "round ligament pain", putting your feet up and resting can help.

Your skin could also feel a bit itchy. It might help to use an unperfumed moisturiser, wear loose cotton clothing and have a cool bath. If the itching gets worse especially at night, talk to your doctor or midwife. Read about itching in pregnancy on the NHS website.

Changes in your pants

Have you noticed a lot of discharge in your pants? Many women get this. There's more blood flowing around your pelvic area and that can cause your body to produce more of the milky fluid called leucorrhoea that keeps your vagina clean and free from infection. See your doctor or midwife if:

it changes colour – it should be clear, white or creamy
it smells bad – it should smell slightly musky, not strongly of fish or anything else
it changes texture – for example, it starts going frothy or looks like cottage cheese
you get pain when peeing
you feel itchy or sore

Thrush

If you have a vaginal infection, it's likely to be thrush, which is a common yeast infection.

Signs include a lumpy white discharge, itching around your vagina, and stinging when you pee or have sex.

To help prevent thrush:

wear loose cotton underwear

use unperfumed soap or body wash

steer clear of sex until it's cleared up

There are more tips to beat thrush on the NHS website.

2nd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 15 weeks)

Your pregnancy symptoms may include:

swollen and bleeding gums (read about gum health in week 13)
pains on the side of your belly, caused by your expanding womb (known as "round ligament pains")
headaches
nosebleeds
feeling bloated (read how to cope with bloating on week 10's page and constipation)
indigestion and heartburn (read how to cope with indigestion and heartburn on week 25's page)
sore breasts
leg cramps
feeling hot
dizziness
swollen hands and feet
urine infections
vaginal infections
darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
greasier, spotty skin
thicker and shinier hair

You may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as:

morning sickness (read morning sickness advice on week 5's page, weird pregnancy cravings)
a heightened sense of smell
mood swings (read about dealing with mood swings on week 8's page)
a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)

Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or foetus, is around 10.1cm long from head to bottom, which is about the size of an apple. The weight is around 70g, which is the same as a small bag of salad.

Your baby has been busy growing a soft layer of hair, called "lanugo", all over their body. Their eyebrows and eyelashes are also starting to develop. Your baby's eyes are now sensitive to light.

Around now, your baby will start hearing too. Talk to your baby and they will probably hear you. They will also hear your heartbeat and any noises made by your digestive system.

Action stations

Many women will tell their employer after they've had their first pregnancy scan at around 12 weeks. Once you tell your employer, you have maternity rights and can attend antenatal appointments during paid work time. You can also ask for a risk assessment of your workplace to ensure that you're working in a safe environment.

It's a good time to tone up your pelvic floor muscles. Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze, cough or jump. Get the muscles going by pretending that you're having a wee and then stop the "urine" in midflow. Visit Tommy's for more ideas about pelvic floor exercises.

Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.

Even if you've had children before, they're still worth going to as you can meet other parents-to-be. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, you should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.

Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website. You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.

It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

There's no need to eat for 2. You don't need any extra calories until the 3rd trimester, which starts in week 28. Try to eat healthily, with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.

You and your family should follow the government and NHS guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19):

read government guidance on how to stay safe from COVID-19

get NHS advice about COVID-19

use the NHS COVID-19 app for England and Wales – it's the fastest way of knowing when you've been exposed to COVID-19

To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:

NHS website

Breastfeeding Network

World Health Organization

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15 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Tips, Baby Development

Reviewed by

Tanya Tantry, MD

Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Medical Consultant at Flo

You’re 15 weeks pregnant now, and time has gone by so fast! Just a few weeks ago, your baby was the size of an apple seed and its organs were just beginning to form. Now, however, your baby is the size of a whole apple, and he or she is already swimming around in amniotic fluid. You’re approximately three and a half months pregnant by week 15.

It’s not just the baby that’s changing. During your first trimester, you probably didn’t gain that much weight and your baby bump was barely noticeable. But as the baby gets bigger and bigger inside your belly, your body will start to change faster than ever. Pretty soon you’ll be feeling your baby’s kicks and somersaults, and in the blink of an eye, you’ll be getting ready to meet them!

Your baby at week 15 of pregnancy

Your baby has come a long way in only a few weeks. A 15-week fetus is already swimming up a storm inside your womb, even though most moms will only start to really feel these movements around week 20. In other exciting news, your baby’s bones are starting to ossify — meaning that they’re absorbing calcium and getting stronger.

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Your baby weighs about 2. 5 oz (70 g) and is able to respond to light, although his/her eyes are closed. Their eyelids will remain shut for a few more months, and their facial features are becoming more defined each day. The ears have almost risen to their proper place, and the eyes are moving from the sides of the face to the front.

How big is your baby at 15 weeks pregnant?

Your baby is around the size of an apple or a navel orange. It measures around 4 inches (10 cm) from crown to rump. It weighs approximately 70 grams, which is equivalent to 0.15 pounds. Baby weight at 15 weeks is similar to the weight of one chicken egg!

Pregnancy week 15: fetal development

Your baby at 15 weeks pregnant has already formed all its vital organs, so now it’s time to grow bigger and stronger. Among the milestones of week 15 of pregnancy fetal development is the beginning of bone ossification. The muscles are strengthening, and the bones are becoming harder. By now, the baby has longer limbs and can move its joints. Although it’s not common, some women can feel baby movements at 15 weeks pregnant!

Your baby is also practicing how to breathe outside your womb. He/she is actively drawing in amniotic fluid through his/her nose. It is getting into the upper respiratory tract, developing the lungs. The baby’s skin is still very translucent, and small blood vessels are forming under it. Your 15-week fetus is also practicing other reflexes, such as swallowing and sucking.

At 15 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is also looking much cuter, since its head is now proportional to the rest of its body. Their skin is getting covered in very fine hair, which is called lanugo and helps keep the baby warm. In the womb, a 15-week baby is also able to hear your voice. Make sure you talk to your baby constantly!

Your body at week 15 of pregnancy

Since your baby is getting bigger with each passing day, it’s only natural that your body makes changes to adjust to the little person that’s growing inside of you. By week 15 of pregnancy, you’re out of the first trimester and your early pregnancy symptoms have most likely subsided. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t experience any 15 weeks pregnant symptoms! It’s also normal to find that your bump is growing much faster now.

15 weeks pregnant belly

During the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy, your growing uterus was still contained inside your pelvis. But now, your uterus has become too large to fit inside the pelvis, and so it begins to grow upwards. That is why at 15 weeks pregnant, you’ll probably realize that you’re looking much more pregnant than before.

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.

Your bump could also start to show a dark line running from your belly button to your pelvis around this time. This is a symptom called “linea nigra”, and it’s perfectly normal amongst pregnant women. It will fade after delivery, so there’s nothing to worry about!

Since your baby needs nutrients to get bigger and stronger, the second trimester will bring more weight gain than the first. Doctors recommend eating approximately 300 extra calories each day for a weight gain of 1 pound each week. During week 15 of pregnancy, your uterus is halfway between your pubic bone and your belly button, and you should be able to feel it if you press down on this area.

15 weeks pregnant symptoms

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.

15 weeks pregnant ultrasound: do you need it?

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 your pregnancy is high-risk, your doctor could recommend getting an amniocentesis between weeks 15 and 20. If you do get an amniocentesis, the doctor will use ultrasound to guide a thin needle into your womb and collect a sample of amniotic fluid. They’ll later test this fluid to detect genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome.

If you do get a 15-week ultrasound, it’s possible that your doctor could determine the baby’s gender. But in some cases, the position of a 15-week baby hides its external genitals. If this happens, don’t worry. Your doctor will try again during your next ultrasound.

15 weeks pregnant lifestyle

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, but you can also increase your dietary intake for an extra boost.
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.
Stay safe: although it’s advisable to exercise during your pregnancy, 15 weeks pregnancy precautions include avoiding contact sports or sports that carry a risk of falling (like horse riding).
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.

Sex at week 15 of pregnancy

It’s quite common for your libido to increase after your early pregnancy symptoms go away. You’re not nauseous anymore, you have more energy, and your bump is still small enough to allow most sex positions comfortable. Take advantage of this time and get intimate with your partner if you want to — pretty soon, your bump will make some positions practically impossible.

What to expect at 15 weeks pregnant – checklist

Research and learn more about the type of delivery you’d like.
Schedule your amniocentesis, if you’re having one.
Talk to your baby and play music or audiobooks so they can hear.

Even though your bump is still small during week 15 of pregnancy, you’re now in your second trimester and the baby has gotten much bigger. At 15 weeks pregnant, you have 23 to 25 weeks left to go — not long now! Enjoy your second trimester and start preparing for the rest of your pregnancy. Your baby will be here soon!

References

https://www.thebump.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/15-weeks-pregnant http://www.bounty.com/pregnancy-and-birth/pregnancy/pregnancy-week-by-week/15-weeks-pregnant

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15th week of pregnancy: sensations, size and development of the fetus

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Your baby has learned to swallow. Soon he will actively drink the amniotic fluid and process it with the help of the kidneys. It does not sound very tasty, but it helps the development of the kidneys and lungs.

Your baby weighs just under 100 grams this week. He is still very small, but he moves a lot when he is awake. Previously, his eyes were located on the sides of his head, but now they are where they should be.

Ultrasound clearly shows how the baby breathes, and also makes sucking and swallowing movements. The baby begins to practice these complex skills early enough to prepare for their application in life outside the mother's womb.

At the 15th week of pregnancy, you may feel another burst of energy. You may find that you are now able to enjoy your food again and look forward to lunch or dinner instead of fearing it. Try to eat a varied diet - this is important both for your health and for the growth and development of your baby.

There is an opinion that during pregnancy a woman should not limit her diet and eat as varied as possible - then, when feeding is introduced, the baby will be more willing to try new foods. If the child's taste buds are already "charged" with amniotic fluid with a wide range of flavors, he will be more prone to experiment with meals.

I feel uncomfortable all the time!

You definitely feel pregnant. Perhaps you already have a small tummy, and if you stand for a long time, your back and legs may hurt. It is still far from the "duck walk" stage, however, already now you are walking a little differently.

When getting into bed, you can toss and turn for a long time until you find a comfortable position, especially if you are used to sleeping on your stomach. Consider buying a long pillow and putting it under your body and legs at night. It can greatly improve your sleep.

Physical changes at 15 weeks of gestation

Don't be surprised if the shoes are too tight - you don't think so. Progesterone, the most important pregnancy hormone, is great at relaxing the ligaments of the pelvis, but its action does not end there. By the end of your pregnancy, you may need shoes half a size larger, or even a size larger.
Even though you never had nosebleeds, don't worry if they do now. This, as well as a runny nose and stuffy nose, are the consequences of an increase in the volume of blood circulating in the body. Nosebleeds usually stop on their own, but it's important not to panic and just wait for them to pass.
See how your skin clears up? Pimples go away, and she becomes not so spotty. Use your regular facial cleansers and moisturizers. However, your skin may become more oily - then you will need to choose other care products.

Emotional changes at 15 weeks of pregnancy

Do you feel a special connection with nature? This is not surprising. In the second trimester of pregnancy, you are overwhelmed with hormones, and your thoughts enter into resonance with the world around you. Enjoy this special feeling. Think about massage, yoga, water aerobics or tai chi. Connecting with your inner Zen is a lot of fun, even if you don't know what it is.
You can look at your belly at any time of the day or night to see if it has grown. Sometimes you are sure that it has become bigger, and sometimes that nothing has changed. It depends more on what happens behind the uterus, and not in it itself. If your intestines are full of gas or you are constipated, your belly will become more visible.
The planned date of delivery is still very far away. Although you know that a new life is developing within you, there is little to see on the outside and there seems to be no end to it. Try to do something every day that brings you pleasure, and not related to work or with a child. You are still a person and you have other interests.

What happens to the baby at the fifteenth week of pregnancy

This week, the baby is dancing inside you, constantly moving his arms and legs. No coordination of movements is observed even close, just floundering. After that, a long sleep comes to restore strength, because growing up is very tiring! Wait a week or two and you will start to feel these movements.
Three small bones begin to form in the baby's inner ear, so he will soon be able to hear you. Sing for your child, say hello to him in the morning - this will help build a strong emotional connection that will remain between you for life.
Your child's legs are now longer than their arms, and their head is no longer the largest part of the body. The tiny body increases in size and straightens.

Tips 15 weeks

Urinary tract infections are not uncommon during pregnancy and are quite dangerous. Try to avoid them:
- Drink plenty of water. After urinating, wipe from front to back, not the other way around.
- Before and after sex, go to the toilet and empty your bladder. If you experience burning sensation when urinating or just a strange smell, check with your doctor.
Cranberry juice has good protective properties, as well as a high content of vitamin C. This important vitamin helps absorb iron from food and promotes the formation of connective tissues in the baby's body.
It's never too early to think about a baby's name. Perhaps you will choose one of those that you have always liked, or, conversely, one that you have not even thought about.

The next week of pregnancy is the 16th.

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15th week of pregnancy what happens to the fetus

The baby is growing - the mother's tummy is growing. At the 15th week of pregnancy, the fetus continues to develop, its systems and organs are formed. His movements become more active and orderly. Mom blooms, fills with inner radiance, surprises with special beauty. She is already drawing an image of her future son or daughter.

New changes in the development of the fetus

The baby moves actively, protected by amniotic fluid. He has grown noticeably, feels comfortable in his mother's tummy. He is warm and comfortable, he is full and satisfied. The size of the child from crown to tailbone exceeds 10 cm, and it weighs about 70 g.

Interesting ! At the 15th week of pregnancy, the legs are stretched, and the whole body becomes more proportional. The process of forming auricles is almost completed.

Processes in the development of the baby:

The skeletal system is being formed. Bones replace cartilage and become denser and stronger. There is an intensive intake of calcium. Mom should remember this and provide this trace element not only for herself, but also for the baby.
The salivary and sweat glands continue to develop and function.
Hair follicles appear on the body.
The brain is actively forming, grooves appear on it, which will soon be replaced by convolutions.
The skin is still thin and red, as lines of blood vessels show through it, but not so transparent.
Every day there are more nerve cells. The baby hears, touches, feels better. His movements become coordinated.
The child continues to develop the respiratory system, muscles and intestines.

The amniotic fluid into which the baby's kidneys excrete urine is sterile and is renewed at least 10 times a day. Their volume reaches 100 ml, and the temperature is about 370C. Everything you need for the comfort of a small person.

Interesting! The reproductive system is also developing rapidly, but in different ways. At the 15th week of pregnancy, testosterone production begins in boys.

Mother's well-being and feelings

A woman emotionally reconsiders many of her attitudes. She is preparing for the fact that a new family member will soon appear, which means that many habits and foundations will have to be changed. Mom can be somewhat absent-minded, but this is due to the fact that all her thoughts are occupied with future childbirth and the baby.

If sometimes you feel dizzy and your heart works with overload, you should not be afraid. Such sensations are caused by the fact that a woman at the 15th week of pregnancy has 15% more blood in her body. But with frequent ailments, consulting a doctor is the right decision.

Leg cramps and fatigue are most often associated with a lack of potassium and calcium in the body, which means that this is a signal that the diet needs to be revised. You should also wisely choose dishes for the menu, if you still have flatulence, heartburn, constipation.

Important! Mom should remember that everything she eats is evaluated by her child. Some dishes he likes, while others may not like at all.