15 Weeks Pregnant: Baby is as big as an apple!

Week 15 at a glance

You’re safely settled into the second trimester ‒ it’s an exciting time to be pregnant! At 15 weeks pregnant, you’re into month four and your baby will be measuring about 10cm long from head to butt ‒ about the size of the palm of your hand. How cute! So, what’s going on inside that expanding 15 weeks pregnant bump of yours, mama? Read on to find out what to expect.
In this article: 📝

• Week 15 at a glance
• Baby development at 15 weeks
• Pregnancy symptoms at 15 weeks
• Pregnancy tips at 15 weeks

Baby development at 15 weeks

Although it’s unlikely you’ll have a 15 weeks pregnant ultrasound, if you did, you’d see your pear-sized baby getting up to all kinds of tricks! A 15-week fetus will:

• Be able to sense light through their closed eyelids.
  
  
• Move all their limbs now their joints are fully functional.
  
  
• Look more in proportion, with legs that are longer than their arms.
  
  
• Be transforming cartilage into bone, so their tiny skeleton would be visible on an x-ray around now. Amazing!

Pregnancy symptoms at 15 weeks

Even though you’ve entered the second trimester, you might still feel nauseated and tired, but these symptoms will probably wear off soon. You might experience none, or a whole range of the common 15 weeks pregnant symptoms.

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds affect 1 in 5 expectant mamas but they generally don’t pose a risk. If they’re annoyingly frequent or very severe, it might be worth mentioning to your doctor. You may feel a bit congested, too.

Varicose veins

An increase in blood volume during pregnancy and the pressure put on your lower extremities from your expanding bump can cause painful varicose veins. Putting your feet up more often will help, since it’ll reduce the pressure on your veins. Thankfully, varicose veins usually go back to normal after you’ve given birth.

Headaches

You’ve got a lot on your mind. Add into that all the hormones doing their thing, and it’s not surprising you may get a headache or two. Relaxing in a dark room with a cool pack on your forehead might help. Have you tried those freezeable head wraps? Chill, mama. It’s all going to be fine!

Bleeding gums

Swollen, sore gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth are common problems in pregnancy due to the excess hormones you’re pumping these days, but it’s not something to be taken lightly. The gum infection, gingivitis, can lead to some serious issues for you and your baby, so it’s a good time to take your dental hygiene seriously. A check-up at the dentist is a good idea.

Can you feel baby at 15 weeks?

Although your baby will be enthusiastically exploring their home these days, it’s probably still too early to feel their kicks and punches. Factors like your baby’s position and where your placenta has developed will also impact how soon you’ll experience this amazing feeling. It’ll come soon though, don’t worry.

Pregnancy tips at 15 weeks

Around 15 weeks, your midwife might start measuring your “fundal height” ‒ the distance up your belly from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus ‒ to track your baby’s growth. Your uterus is moving up out of the pelvis, so your 15 weeks pregnant belly might start to pop at this point too. But don’t stress if it’s still hard to see you’re pregnant. Everyone’s bump is different, and it’s still early days! Here are some things to add to your 15 weeks pregnant checklist:

• Sleep on your left-hand side: Later in pregnancy, you’ll be advised to start sleeping on your left-hand side to aid healthy blood flow, but for now, you’re good to get comfy however you like. Easier said than done, right?! Just keep on catching those Zs however you can, mama!
  
  
• Get your pelvic floor working out: Trust us, when it comes to baby’s grand arrival, you’ll be glad you kept up with your Kegels.
  
  
• Prep for maternity leave: Letting your boss or employees know about your pregnancy and when you plan to take maternity leave can make everything smoother later on.
  
  
• Start your baby registry: Yep, babies need a lot of things. But rest assured, we’ve got a baby registry breakdown for you, right here.
  
  
• Pick your favorite baby names: Need a second opinion? Why not ask the other moms-to-be of Peanut?
  
  
• Stock up on maternity clothes: That bump’s gonna keep growing!
  
  
• Plan a gender reveal party and/or baby shower: Any excuse for a party, right?
  
  
• Keep taking those prenatal vitamins: Every damn day!
  
  
• Take a babymoon: Before your little one arrives and life gets crazy, take a mini vacation with your partner. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, even a weekend getaway will do. Just enjoy some quality time together and celebrate your pregnancy.
  
  
• Take weekly bump photos: You’re growing a human, mama! Take some weekly bump photos to document your pregnancy journey. Get creative with your poses and props, and don’t forget to share them with friends and family.

Remember, pregnancy is an exciting time full of new experiences. Take time to enjoy the journey and all the little moments along the way. You got this!