What to expect at fifteen weeks pregnant. Everything you need to know about your baby and your pregnancy after the three-month stage.

You’re now nicely into your second trimester and may be enjoying a new burst of energy. At fifteen weeks pregnant, for many mothers, the morning sickness that plagued your first three months of pregnancy will have subsided and you may even experience increased libido.

While everyone’s body is different, by this stage in your pregnancy your baby bump could be very noticeable. It’s also completely normal not to be showing at all. Your baby is also growing at a rapid rate and hitting important developmental milestones. Read on to find out everything you need to know at fifteen weeks pregnant.

Fifteen Weeks Pregnant in Months

At fifteen weeks, you are three months and two weeks pregnant, meaning you are now in your 4th month of pregnancy. However, you may have only realized you were pregnant after missing your last period and so might have only known for a month or so. You should have already had your first dating scan to determine an initial due date.

Your Baby at Fifteen Weeks Pregnant: Size and Development

By this stage of your pregnancy, the fetus is growing rapidly and looks more and more like an actual baby. Their limbs and organs are continuing to form in the correct proportions. In particular, your baby’s ears and eyes are moving into their rightful places on their head.

Although your baby’s skin is still see-through, their bones are beginning to ossify (which means they will now show up on an X-Ray).

While your little one is busy moving around in the womb, it’s unlikely you will feel anything yet as they are still too tiny.

At fifteen weeks pregnant, your baby is around 10cm long and weighs approximately 71 grams. So, about the size of a pear, or a naval orange.

Your Body at Fifteen Weeks Pregnant: Belly and Changes

Now that you are in your second trimester, you may start to show more physical signs of pregnancy. Many women might see a baby bump as the uterus pushes up above the pelvic bone to make room for a growing baby. However, it’s also completely normal not to show at all at fifteen weeks. Every mom and every pregnancy is different. For first-time moms, it may take longer for a bump to show, however, if it is your second or third pregnancy the muscles may expand quicker.

Fifteen Weeks Pregnant with Twins

If you are pregnant with twins, you will have more of a chance of showing at fifteen weeks. This is because your muscles and belly will be stretching at a faster rate (to accommodate two growing babies). Another side effect of having twins is that some of the early pregnancy symptoms may last a little longer than if you were just carrying one baby. For example, the higher levels of pregnancy hormones may mean you suffer from morning sickness for longer.

Fifteen Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

While those pesky early pregnancy symptoms might be wearing off, there are still some signs and side effects of pregnancy that can take their toll at fifteen weeks.

Weight Gain

As your baby and your belly grows, and your pregnancy cravings increase, you might notice you’re putting on weight. Your baby is getting bigger and you should be too, however it is important the weight gain is slow and steady (and you’re maintaing a healthy diet). Ideally you should be gaining around 1 pound a week. If you’re experiencing dramatic weight gain or loss during your pregnancy, you should contact your doctor.

Bleeding Gums and Nosebleeds

One not so pleasant pregnancy symptom you may experience at fifteen weeks is bleeding and swollen gums. This is due to increased blood flow, and fluctuating hormone levels, which can cause increased sensitivity. Nosebleeds are another side effect.

Varicose Veins

The increased blood flow will also cause your veins to become more visible. Although you might not appreciate this aesthetically, it’s a good sign as it means there’s an increased blood supply to your growing baby.

Heartburn and Indigestion

This pesky progesterone has a lot to answer for. Increased levels of the hormone in your body can also cause bloating at fifteen weeks pregnant. This is because it slows down the digestion process so that there’s more time to pass the nutrients on to your baby. However, in doing so, your growing uterus will squash and press onto your stomach and intestines. Your hormones also relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus, causing heartburn.

Dizziness

The extra blood pumping around your body can cause you to feel light-headed, dizzy and even faint. To ease these symptoms, try and remember to stand up and sit down slowly and keep sugar levels up with regular (healthy) snacks. If you feel faint, make sure you take a seat and rest up as soon as possible.

Baby Brain

A common symptom many women experience throughout their second and third trimester is something colloquially known as ‘baby brain’ or ‘pregnancy brain’. Forgetfulness is a rite of passage during pregnancy and can be blamed on those annoying hormones and a lack of quality sleep.

Higher Energy Levels

One positive symptom many women experience as they enter their second trimester is a lease of energy. This is because the placenta begins to kick into action and takes over the job of providing nutrients for your baby.

Increased Sex Drive

Another plus, with higher energy levels and a new rush of hormones, you may find yourself with increased libido. It’s said your new-found high sex drive can even have health benefits for you and your baby. These include improved mood, better sleep and tightening of your pelvic floor muscles – which can help speed up your recovery after birth. However, doctors advise you should abstain if you have a history of early labour miscarriage.

Fifteen Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound

At fifteen weeks, you might be thinking about finding out your baby’s gender at your next scan.

Typically, an ultrasound to discover the sex of your baby is carried out at around 16 to 20 weeks.

For more information on development and milestones at every stage of your pregnancy, visit our pregnancy week by week guide.