You are now 15 weeks pregnant, which is the beginning of week 16. Your baby measures around 15 cms (6 inches) from head to toe, or about 10cms (4 inches) from crown to rump, and weighs about 120 grams (or 4.2 ounces). Your baby is now more in proportion physically, but their head still accounts for about 1/3 of their body size.
Your baby's vocal chords are now formed and they can make different facial expressions. Your baby can grasp with their hands and suck their thumb and they begin to explore the inside of your uterus with their hands and feet. If you press your belly from the outside, this may produce a small startle response in your baby (one of the many newborn reflexes present after birth).
If this is not your first pregnancy you may start to feel small sensations of your baby's movements soon, although movements are more commonly felt between 18 and 22 weeks.
What is my body doing at fifteen weeks pregnant?
As your baby continues to grow and develop, you may notice that you feel permanently bunged up. You could also suffer from nosebleeds and sinus pain thanks to the increased blood flow to the membranes in your nose and sinuses. Avoid rooms with the central heating or air conditioning on full blast, as they’ll dry out your nasal passages.
You might notice around week 15 your gums are red, swollen and sore. They might even be prone to bleeding when you brush or floss. This is down to those pregnancy hormones again. More than 90% of women suffer with gum problems during pregnancy, and this can lead to some nasty complications, so prevention is key.
Common symptoms to look out for:
Emotional reactions
Some women feel vulnerable about the continued unknown of their pregnancy and possibly the impending labour and birth.
Partners may experience a renewed purpose in their life. Perhaps re-assessing their career or making some lifestyle changes.
Other considerations
Twins, triplets or more
Pregnancy visits for women with a multiple pregnancy are generally similar to visits for women having one baby. However, once the number of babies is revealed, the frequency of routine visits may increase, depending on how everything is progressing and your caregiver's preferences.
Natural therapies
Your baby's vocal chords are now formed and they can make different facial expressions. Your baby can grasp with their hands and suck their thumb and they begin to explore the inside of your uterus with their hands and feet. If you press your belly from the outside, this may produce a small startle response in your baby (one of the many newborn reflexes present after birth).
If this is not your first pregnancy you may start to feel small sensations of your baby's movements soon, although movements are more commonly felt between 18 and 22 weeks.
What is my body doing at fifteen weeks pregnant?
As your baby continues to grow and develop, you may notice that you feel permanently bunged up. You could also suffer from nosebleeds and sinus pain thanks to the increased blood flow to the membranes in your nose and sinuses. Avoid rooms with the central heating or air conditioning on full blast, as they’ll dry out your nasal passages.
You might notice around week 15 your gums are red, swollen and sore. They might even be prone to bleeding when you brush or floss. This is down to those pregnancy hormones again. More than 90% of women suffer with gum problems during pregnancy, and this can lead to some nasty complications, so prevention is key.
You should also now be gaining more weight as your baby gets bigger. Don’t go overboard, but don’t panic either – aim to gain around one pound a week, or about four pounds a month.
Common symptoms to look out for:
- Heartburn and indigestion: Now that the morning sickness has (hopefully) eased off, you’re probably feeling a lot hungrier, yet this also causes that uncomfortable heartburn you’re desperately trying to avoid. If you are suffering, try eating several smaller meals, rather than three large ones.
- Faintness or dizziness: Feeling light-headed is a common side effect during pregnancy, as your blood sugar levels change. If you do feel faint, sit down and put your head between your legs as this will prevent you from falling and hurting yourself.
- Varicose Veins: We spoke about these last week; as much as you might hate them, they are a normal side effect of the increased blood flow during pregnancy. Sit down and your your feet up – this will keep the blood circulating and reduces the pressure on your legs.
- Pregnancy brain: Can’t remember when bin day is or where on earth you left your car keys? Pregnancy brain is a real thing as your brain cell volume actually decreases during pregnancy. Now is a good time to start using that notes section on your mobile!
- Cramps and pains: Medically referred to as round ligament pain, as the muscles and ligaments that support your uterus stretch, you might get pains on the lower sides of your body. This is very normal, but if you’re in too much pain, it might be worth checking with your GP.
Physical changes
Aches and pains
As your uterus grows and your baby's movements increase in strength, you can experience many strange sensations. These may range from stretching and burning to mild cramping or stitch-like pains with tugging and pulling. Aches and pains can cause concern and worry, because the feelings are often unfamiliar and it can be hard to know what is normal. Generally, if the pain is not extreme and/or there is no bleeding associated with it, it is normal.
Aches and pains
As your uterus grows and your baby's movements increase in strength, you can experience many strange sensations. These may range from stretching and burning to mild cramping or stitch-like pains with tugging and pulling. Aches and pains can cause concern and worry, because the feelings are often unfamiliar and it can be hard to know what is normal. Generally, if the pain is not extreme and/or there is no bleeding associated with it, it is normal.
Emotional reactions
Some women feel vulnerable about the continued unknown of their pregnancy and possibly the impending labour and birth.
Partners may experience a renewed purpose in their life. Perhaps re-assessing their career or making some lifestyle changes.
Other considerations
What to expect at your pregnancy visits
After your first consultation pregnancy visits are scheduled at fairly regular intervals. However, their frequency until 28 weeks can vary, depending on your individual needs and your caregiver's preferences.
In the past, pregnancy visits during the 2nd trimester were routinely scheduled every 4 weeks. However, recent research has shown that antenatal visits every 5 to 6 weeks are acceptable for women whose pregnancies are progressing normally.
After your first consultation pregnancy visits are scheduled at fairly regular intervals. However, their frequency until 28 weeks can vary, depending on your individual needs and your caregiver's preferences.
In the past, pregnancy visits during the 2nd trimester were routinely scheduled every 4 weeks. However, recent research has shown that antenatal visits every 5 to 6 weeks are acceptable for women whose pregnancies are progressing normally.
Twins, triplets or more
Pregnancy visits for women with a multiple pregnancy are generally similar to visits for women having one baby. However, once the number of babies is revealed, the frequency of routine visits may increase, depending on how everything is progressing and your caregiver's preferences.
Natural therapies
Iridology
Iridology dates back to the time of Hippocrates (about 400 BC). It is a therapy that may be used to diagnose diseases by studying the iris of the eye (the coloured part of the eye). The iris is as individually unique as your fingerprints and is believed to reflect the health of the body's organs and glands.
What you should be doing this week:
Iridology dates back to the time of Hippocrates (about 400 BC). It is a therapy that may be used to diagnose diseases by studying the iris of the eye (the coloured part of the eye). The iris is as individually unique as your fingerprints and is believed to reflect the health of the body's organs and glands.
What you should be doing this week:
Talk to your doctor: If you’re at high risk of preeclampsia, or genetic or chromosomal issues, now is the time to chat to your GP as they’ll do the relevant tests between weeks 16 to 20.
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