Overview of Week 15 of pregnancy
During week 15 of pregnancy:
- Your baby is 4 inches long
- You are in trimester two
- 25 more weeks to go
- Bones are starting to harden
Your baby is growing so fast! Once only the size of a pinhead, they have now grown to the size of a pear. Since ultrasounds at every doctor’s appointment are not necessary, the best way for your doctor to measure your baby’s growth is to measure the size of your uterus. This is done by measuring your fundal height, which is the distance between your pubic bone to the top of your uterus. Fun fact: the fundal height in centimeters should be equal to the number of weeks pregnant you are. So this week, your fundal height should be 15cm.
How many months pregnant is 15 weeks?
At 15 weeks pregnant, you are approximately 3 and a half months pregnant. You are in your second trimester. Only 5 and a half more months left of pregnancy.
How big is baby at 15 weeks pregnant?
This week, your baby is the size of a pear. It measures around 4 inches long, from crown to rump. Crown to rump measurements will continue for a few more weeks. However, if you were to include your baby’s leg in that measurement, it will be closer to 6.5 inches. As for weight, your baby weighs approximately 2.5 ounces.
Baby development during week 15 of pregnancy
Bones
During week 15 of pregnancy, your baby’s bones are starting to ossify. This means that your baby’s skeleton will no longer be soft and flexible; they are now starting to harden. If you were to take an x-ray of your baby at this stage, bones would now start to be visible.
Face
Your baby’s facial structures continue to move to their final locations during week 15 of pregnancy. The ears have moved from the neck to their proper location on the sides of the head. The eyes continue to move from the sides to the front of the head.
Pregnancy Week 15 Symptoms
Round ligament pain
You may experience a sharp pain in your lower abdomen near the groin or hip area. This pain is known as round ligament pain. This is one of the most common complaints of pregnancy, most frequently occurring in the second trimester. If you do experience round ligament pain, the best thing to do is change positions and try to stretch the muscles out.
Increased hunger
Your baby is rapidly growing and that takes a lot of work from your body so you may notice that you have increased hunger. During pregnancy, your daily caloric intake increases by a few hundred calories. These extra calories are needed to support the growth of your little one. Your nausea is probably gone by now as well, so you most likely finally have your appetite back. Make sure to pick healthy foods, full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Visible veins
During pregnancy, you may start to notice more visible veins on your breasts, chest, belly, and legs. These veins will appear more blue-ish or purple and are caused by the increased blood volume throughout your body. Usually, after pregnancy, your veins will return to normal and will no longer be as visible.
Increased sex drive
You may notice you have a higher libido now that you have reached the second trimester. This is generally caused by the continuous increase in estrogen and progesterone levels. Both of these hormones result in excess vaginal lubrication and increased blood flow to the pelvic area. In addition, now that pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue and morning sickness have dissipated, you will find you have more energy to enjoy sex.
Swollen gums
Hormone changes in pregnancy can lead to your gums being more vulnerable to plaque. A build-up of plaque can cause swollen and bleeding gums, also known as gingivitis. It is recommended to keep up with your dental hygiene regimen and have regular check-ups with your dentist.
Pregnancy week 15 tips
Take pictures
You may not have much of a baby bump yet, but I recommend you keep taking progress pictures. These pictures will be a good memory to look back on and it is a fun way to show your belly growing throughout your pregnancy. In fact, if you have been taking pictures since the beginning of your pregnancy, you will probably already see some transformation.
Eat well
If you had morning sickness in the first trimester, you may not have been eating the healthiest things. In fact, you were probably only eating whatever you could keep down. Now, if your nausea has decreased, you may want to start thinking about how you can improve your diet to best support your growing fetus. A diet balanced in fruit, vegetables, and fiber will help you continue having a healthy pregnancy.
Predict your baby’s sex
In just a few weeks, you will have your 20-week anatomy scan. During this ultrasound, if you decide to find out your baby’s sex, the ultrasound technician will be able to let you know. Leading up to this point, it may be fun to start predicting your baby’s sex. Will you have a little boy or a little girl?
Make a dentist appointment
Hormone changes in pregnancy can lead to dental problems, such as the increased risk for gingivitis (gum disease) and periodontitis (infection of the bone that holds teeth in place). Due to this increased risk, it is advisable to keep up with your regular dental check-ups. Make sure to let your dentist know about your pregnancy and avoid x-rays if possible to protect your baby from radiation.
