What happens when you are 15 weeks pregnant..?
You are now 15 weeks pregnant, you will start to notice the baby bump on or just below your belly button. This bump is caused by your womb that is starting to grow out of your pelvic region. Since you have become rather visibly pregnant, you will definitely find yourself becoming a topic of discussion among your friends and family.
Aside from sporting the visible bump on your belly, you will also feel that your milk glands are already kicking into production. In fact, you will sometimes notice wet spots on your nipples. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can use breast pads inside your bra. Your body is actually making colostrum, which is the protein rich fluid that is first taken by newborns when you breastfeed. In some cases, some pregnant women at 15 weeks will already feel Braxton-Hicks contractions. These contractions are characterized by the tightening of the uterus or the abdominal area. This occurs as your uterus gets into shape, preparing for the delivery of your newborn. However, if you notice that you are having regular contractions, vaginal discharges, and uncomfortable pelvic pressure, you should seek medical consult right away.
Your baby at 15 weeks into your pregnancy
Your baby has grown when your reach 15 weeks pregnant. In fact, your baby will now measure about four to five inches in length and weigh about two
and a half ounces. He or she is roughly about the size of an apple . Your baby’s nose and lips have formed and his or her head will already be covered with soft fine hair known as lanugo. Your child will be busy moving and swimming in his or her amniotic fluid using his or her respiratory tract. This will help the primitive air sacs in your child’s lung start to develop. Your child’s legs and arms are now longer and he or she can already move all of his or her limbs and joints. Even if your child’s eyelids are shut, he or she can already sense light. In fact, if you try to shine a flashlight at your belly, your child will most probably move away from the beam the flashlight has created.
At 15 weeks pregnant, you can already have an ultrasound to determine the gender of your baby. This time, your baby’s genitals will already have developed enough to show in an ultrasound scan. However, you should not get disappointed if your child’s gender remains a mystery. The result would depend on the clarity of the ultrasound picture as well as the baby’s position.
What you can do at 15 weeks of your pregnancy
Exercising and getting into shape for labor and delivery
At 15 weeks pregnant, most health care providers will recommend that you start exercising considering that you are having a healthy and uncomplicated pregnancy. You can enroll in a pregnancy class offering structured exercise routine for pregnant women. With the right type of exercises, you can develop strong abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles. When you have strong abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, it will become easier for you when you go into labor. Moreover, this can also decrease the risk of incontinence.
Getting stuffy nose
You may feel some unexpected symptoms of pregnancy during this period. For instance, you will get a stuffy nose from time to time. This is due to your hormone levels changing and blood flow to your mucous membranes is increased. This symptom is fairly common when you reach 15 weeks into your pregnancy. This symptom is often referred to as ‘rhinitis of pregnancy’.
Talking to your child
At 15 weeks pregnant, this is a great time to talk to your child. In fact, this is a great way to start bonding with your child. Talking to your child or reading a book to him and her can help you practice for after your child is born. When you talk to your child, you are actually helping him or her develop his or her language skills.
Scheduling for an amniocentesis
You can seek consult from your health care provider if you are worrying about any chromosomal disorders that your baby might be having. In this case, your health care provider might schedule you for an amniocentesis. Amniocentesis is a diagnostic test conducted at 15 weeks and 18 weeks of a pregnancy. This diagnostic test can actually test hundreds of chromosomal and genetic disorders. Getting good news from this test brings a welcome relief from all your worries.
Pregnant couple woes
At 15 weeks pregnant this is a time when a lot of pregnant couples are feeling stressed. Since there are already a lot of things that are changing and more changes are yet to come. A lot of pregnant couples worry about the future and how they handle the changes ahead. Despite these woes, the second trimester is a great trimester for most pregnant women as the physical discomforts of pregnancy are low and their energy levels are typically high.
Feeling your baby move
Feeling the first kicks and flutter of your baby is considered one of the most amazing experiences of pregnancy. This is the time when your baby becomes strong enough to let you know that he or she is inside your womb. You will typically feel the first movements of your baby at 15 weeks, even if he or she has already started moving at 8 weeks. If you have a thinner frame, you will most probably feel the movement earlier than expected.
Many women describe the first movements of their baby as a sensation of popcorn popping or butterflies fluttering. Some women describe the experience as feeling a tapping sensation or having bubbles inside their belly. When you start feeling these movements regularly, you will recognize the difference.
At 15 weeks pregnant, your child’s movements are still weak. However, once they become regular and stronger, when you feel a decrease in your child’s movement, you should contact your health care provider right away, as this may a sign of fetal distress. You will be subjected to a non-stress test or a biophysical profile to check the condition of your baby.
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