At Week 15, you are already three months and two weeks into your pregnancy. Your morning sickness will be gone now (hopefully), and you feel more energy to go get things done. Your tummy will be more prominent, and feeling sexy and hot lately? The second trimester is a good time to let out some steam and go on a babymoon (but consult your doctor first)!
Pregnancy signs Week 15
Don't panic if you don't have a visible baby bump yet. First-time preggos may not show this early, and it can also depend on your body. Besides, if you're worried, your doctor will start measuring your baby bump from the top of the uterus (fundus) to the pubic bone (symphysis pubis), also known as fundal height. It will help your doctor assess the growth of your baby or his position inside your womb.
Pregnancy symptoms Week 15
Having more energy and feeling like your pre-pregnancy self is excellent. But you're pregnant, and your body is continuously changing. Take note of any new pregnancy symptoms so you can discuss them with your doctor. Right now, you may be experiencing dizziness, gas, heartburn or indigestion, and the following signs.
Weight gain
The typically recommended weight gain during the entire pregnancy is only about 25 to 35 pounds. Depending on your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), that total weight gain could be higher if you're underweight.
Make sure to eat healthily and not for two! Gaining too much weight may lead to pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, which may put you and your baby's health at risk.
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Changes in sex drive
Thanks to increased blood flow, preggos are more, let's say, sensitive, so you might enjoy pregnant sex now than your pre-pregnant days. As long as your doctor didn't give you any restrictions, go ahead and, well, indulge. Your comfort is still a priority, though, when it comes to choosing pregnant sex positions.
Sex during pregnancy does not cause miscarriage. However, if you have a history of early labor or miscarriage, we highly encourage you to talk to your doctor. If you're not allowed to have intercourse or is experiencing decreased libido, talk to your doctor if this is something you need to be worried about health-wise, and remember that intimacy is possible without having sex.
Swollen or bleeding gums
You may notice having red, swollen gums or having small bumps on your gums. Due to hormones (of course!), preggos are more prone to gingivitis or bleeding gums when brushing or flossing. Some preggos also report issues such as brittle teeth, teeth sensitivity, more toothaches, and even tooth loss. Gingivitis can quickly escalate to infection of the bones, which has been linked to preeclampsia and premature labor.
Nosebleeds
The same hormones that cause you to have more sensitive gums are the same ones that are causing your nasal passages to be more sensitive. Your nose may also be more stuffy than before, thanks to the increase in blood and other bodily fluids production.
Shortness of breath
Your uterus is growing and rearranging your organs located in your abdomen so your lungs might not have room to expand enough to get a full breath. You may have more energy now compared to your first trimester, but your body is still working overtime to produce more blood and sustain your pregnancy.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowPregnancy brain
This refers to the little bouts of forgetfulness pregnant women have, and it is real, as preggos brain-cell volume actually decreases during pregnancy. To manage this, write down or use an app to set reminders, and make sure you get quality sleep!
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Skin discolorations
Your skin is also changing in a lot more places other than your areola. Expect some darkening of the neck area, armpit, and eventually having a dark vertical line, known as linea negra, on your tummy. Preggos are also known to be prone to irregular skin discolorations on the face, around the eyes, nose, and cheeks.
Varicose veins
Your body is continuously producing more blood, and your veins are carrying extra loads to deliver blood and oxygen to your baby and other parts of your body. You may see visible veins on your breast and abdomen. On your legs and feet, however, varicose veins may appear, which may also be due to your weight gain.
To prevent your varicose veins from getting worse, always wear comfortable footwear to ease the strain on your legs. Stay active to promote better blood circulation, and watch your weight, too. Using compression socks or support pantyhose can also help.
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Your baby's development on Week 15
At 15 weeks pregnant, your baby is as big as a navel orange, an apple, or a pear, weighing about 2.5 ounces and measuring 4 inches long. His legs may now out-measure his arms, and his head-to-body ratio is looking more proportionate. Ergo, he's looking more and more human!
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWYou can still see your baby's blood vessels through his still thin, translucent skin, but it's already growing fine, velvety hairs, called lanugo, to keep him warm in your womb. His skull is forming, and the rest of his bones are starting to harden. Your baby is already getting used to breathing, sucking and swallowing and he's even making several faces to exercise his facial muscles. Your baby might also be hiccupping inside your womb now.
You may catch your little one squirming. Your baby's brain now controls all the muscles in her body, and he's practicing kicking, curling toes and moving those small arms and legs already. Since he's still growing, you may not be able to feel his movements just yet. Get ready, though, as it could be just days or weeks before you sense your baby's first movements, called "quickening."
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Your to-do list on Week 15 of pregnancy
Your main focus is still to be at your best self now that you're growing a baby. Eat healthily and take your prenatal supplements regularly.
Consult your doctor about genetic testing
If you have not done so in your first trimester, ask your doctor about genetic testing usually done between 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. These tests are optional but are typically prescribed if your baby is considered at high risk for developing genetic abnormalities.
There's the Multiple Marker Screen (MMS or also known as the Quad Screen Test), which screens and measures levels of specific proteins and hormones in a pregnant woman's blood to check for the baby’s risk of neural tube defects. Another is an amniocentesis, which is more invasive than a blood test but can diagnose neural tube defects, chromosomal abnormalities, and other genetic disorders.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWExercise!
If you don't have any pregnancy complications, exercise will be good for you and your baby. Continue your routine workout before you got pregnant, but be careful not to work your ab muscles. Start a simple low-impact exercise. Slow down your pace if you find yourself catching your breath while you converse.
Sleep on your side
Sleeping on your side—your left side, actually, promotes circulation of newly oxygenated blood. If you remember your biology, the heart pumps blood out through the right artery. A pregnancy pillow can help you get comfy so you can get more sleep.
Moisturize!
Now is the perfect time to start applying moisturizers on your belly, which is growing quickly! The skin here will need more moisture as it's starting to stretch. Who knows? You may even avoid having stretch marks (it depends on your genes, too!).
Pamper yourself
You're hopefully back to doing a lot of things now that you're not tied to the bed or toilet. But there are still so many things in your mind, too many things that need to get done, and so many changes to tackle. First, don't stress as your baby will feel it also. Book a prenatal massage to relax, book a birth class to ease your fears, or have a babymoon!
Coping with stress can trigger depression, which is common during pregnancy. If you're suffering from feelings of sadness and hopelessness, don't be afraid to tell your doctor about it.
More on your week-by-week pregnancy:
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWPregnancy Symptoms Week 14: That Big Appetite's Coming!
Pregnancy Symptoms Week 16: You May Just Feel Your Baby's First Kick!
