At 15 weeks, you are in the middle of your second trimester and are more likely to feel a lot more energetic starting from 14 weeks.
15 weeks pregnant: How many months?
15 weeks is equal to 4 months of pregnancy. You only have around 25 weeks or around 5 months left until delivery.
15 Weeks Pregnant: Size of the Baby
At 15 weeks, the fetus is growing rapidly and is around 10 cm and is almost the size of an apple.
15 Weeks Pregnant: Mother’s Body Changes
Bump: At 15 weeks of pregnancy, the mother-to-be is more likely to have a visible baby bump as the fetus is developing rapidly.
Energy levels: Most pregnant women are said to have increased energy levels right from the starting of the second trimester. This is mostly due to hormonal changes and the decreased morning sickness.
Itching: Since the skin starts to stretch more to accommodate the growing uterus, there are chances of the pregnant mother to feel itchy especially around her belly region. It is advised to use a dermatologist approved moisturizer to control itching.
Better hair: Due to hormonal changes, the hair stays in the growing phase for a prolonged period of time. This makes the hair feel a lot thicker than it used to be. Most pregnant mothers can feel this change from the second trimester.
Varicose vein: Varicose veins usually start to appear during the second trimester. It is caused due to the pressure of the uterus on veins.
Swollen gums: Swollen or bleeding gums is yet another change that most pregnant mother have right from the starting of their second trimester. It can be caused due to the increased blood flow in the body.
15 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms
Weight gain: Since the baby is growing well, most women tend to gain weight. Since the second trimester is when morning sickness vanishes for most people, you tend to eat more which could result in weight gain.
Mood Swings: Mood swings are a common pregnancy symptom that might last till childbirth at times. Mood swings can be caused due to a lot of factors, including hormonal changes, physical discomfort and stress.
Food aversions: Although morning sickness and nausea would have subsided for most pregnant mothers, food aversions can still be a symptom.
Swollen hands and feet: Swollen hands and feet is caused due to a lot of factors including excess water content in the body, pressure from the uterus and increased blood volume.
Linea nigra: Linea nigra is a dark vertical line that appears in the abdomen region. It is usually a harmless symptom that is mainly caused due to hormonal changes.
Constipation: Constipation and bloating are other two common pregnancy symptoms that can prevail in 15 weeks of pregnancy.
15 Weeks Pregnant: Fetal Growth
Size of the Baby: At 15 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is approximately 10 cm and resembles the size of an apple and weighs around 80 grams. The
Face: The baby’s facial features are developing further and the facial expression can also be clearly seen when compared to earlier weeks.
Eyebrows: At 15 weeks, the baby is starting to develop eyebrows and eyelashes.
Eyes: The baby’s eyes are also developing well and are sensitive to light at around this time.
Skin: The baby’s skin is so thin and transparent that the blood vessels are visible.
Body hair: From around 15 weeks of pregnancy, the baby can develop body hair also called lanugo.
Bone development: The baby’s bones are developing well and the bones can now even be visible in x-rays.
Other development:The baby can now move in the womb and can even kick. It can also move its arms and toes well. But the movement is very minimal around this time of pregnancy.
Genitals: The baby’s genitals are still developing. If the baby is a girl, the ovaries are developing and if the baby is a boy, the testicles are developing.
15 Weeks Pregnant: Scans and Tests
By 15 weeks of pregnancy, a pregnant woman is usually done with two rounds of ultrasounds.
One to check the viability and position of the baby (Viability scan) and the next to check if the baby has higher risks of chromosomal abnormalities (NT Scan).
From 15 to 22 weeks, another important test called The quad screen, or quad marker screening is done.
This quad screening, as the name suggests, checks for 4 hormones in the blood:
- HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
- AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)
- Inhibin-A and
- Estriol (a form of estrogen)
Abnormal levels of these hormones in blood means that the baby has increased risk of having genetic disorders including Down syndrome, Edward’s syndrome and neural tube defects.
What if the quad screening report turns out negative?
If the test report turns out negative, the baby has lower risks of genetic disorders and if the report turns out positive, the baby has higher risk of having genetic disorders.
What if the quad screening report turns out positive?
If the quad screening turns out positive, the healthcare expert might suggest further diagnostic tests including amniocentesis.
This Quad test is mostly done for pregnant mothers who missed doing NT scan or for those with abnormal NT scan values.
Conclusion
At 15 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is developing well. Most mothers may also have a visible baby bump and have increased energy levels.
Apart from this, it is important to not miss out on any prenatal appointments and ultrasounds to ensure the wellbeing of the mother and the fetus.
For appointments and consultations with the best gynecologist in Chennai Dr. Deepthi Jammi, Contact Jammi Scans at 7338771733.
Chennai women’s clinic is now Jammi Scans
FAQ
1. What are signs of a healthy pregnancy at 15 weeks?
At 15 weeks of pregnancy, most pregnant mothers are done with their viability scan and NT scan.
If the scan reports turn out normal and if you do not have any unusual symptoms, including severe bleeding, fever, severe abdominal pain, and blurred vision.
It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you experience one or more of these symptoms.
2. Can you feel your baby at 15 weeks?
Although your baby can now start moving a little, you cannot feel your baby’s movement yet. Most pregnant women start feeling the baby’s movements from 16 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
3. How should I sleep at 15 weeks pregnant?
Starting from the second trimester, it is suggested to sleep on your sides especially on the left. This is because it promotes ample blood flow to the uterus and it also reduces the pressure you put on your abdomen region. So at 15 weeks, it is suggested to sleep on your left side.
4. Does your belly show at 15 weeks?
Yes. Most women may start to have a visible baby bump at around 15 weeks of pregnancy.
