15th week of pregnancy

At 15 weeks of pregnancy, the mother starts to look and feel more pregnant than before. A wide range of perceptible changes take place in the mother and the growing baby.

How big is your baby

The baby weighs around 2 and a half ounces and is about the size of an apple which is around 4 inches from crown to rump.

Baby’s growth and development

Baby’s bones and marrow are developing. The cartilage starts turning into bone at this stage, and continues this process till delivery.
Some mothers start sensing the movements of their baby now.
Baby kicks, bends, flexes and makes rapid movements at certain times.
The baby’s body starts looking more proportional to the head in the 15th week.
The eyebrows start to grow over the eyes. Even thought he eyes remain firmly shut, baby starts sensing light.
The hair on scalp starts to grow, but remain indistinguishable for a week or more. The body is also covered with fine hair called lanugo. Most babies shed these hairs by the last month of pregnancy.
The 3 bones in the inner ear start to develop. Also, the baby starts to hear as the ear gains auditory functions.
Baby’s taste buds also develop at this time. You may find the baby sucking his/her thumb as well.
Ossification (hardening of bones) continues at this stage.
The baby makes breathing movements which include inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. This helps in the development of air sacs.

MOTHER’S DEVELOPMENT

(a) Changes in mother’s body

The mother easily gains 1 to 2 pounds of weight in the 15th week of pregnancy.
The uterus starts rising above the hipbone, making the uterus look more swollen than before.
The teeth and gums become susceptible to inflammation and bacterial infection, plaque at this stage. This is primarily due to the effect of pregnancy hormones that the otherwise healthy teeth may become sensitive.
Some mothers complain of nose bleeding or chronic stuffy noses from now on.
During the middle trimester, most mothers tend to be emotional and moody. They can often get teary eyed or overjoyed all of a sudden. It is natural to have concern for the unborn baby and is due to the influence of hormones. This is the time when mothers start talking to their little bundle of joy.
Heartburn is another common problem at this stage. To avoid this, one must avoid taking heavy meals and take smaller meals throughout the day so as to avoid overloading the digestive system.
Due to the increased consumption of food and progesterone, flatulence (gassiness) is a common pregnancy symptom.
Abdominal aches and cramps may be a frequent feature. But if the pain is too sharp, one must consult the gynaecologist immediately.
Varicose veins can be avoided by improving upon your blood circulation. The legs must be kept elevated and sleeping posture must be correct.
The breasts will become large and swollen. Women may also notice blue veins due to increased blood supply to the breasts, as production of milk is about to start at this point.
Due to hormonal changes, some women may notice white or yellowish vaginal discharge which is called leukorrhea.
Stretch marks start to appear sooner or later by this time, as the skin stretches to accommodate the increasing weight.

(b) Complications

Most of the risks associated with pregnancy are reduced by the 15th week to a minimal.
The vaginal discharge is a bacterial or yeast infection and extremely common. But if the discharge is yellowish or green or foul smelling, one must consult the doctor.
At this point, schedule your AFP( Maternal Serum Marker Test).This blood test must be taken by all women during the 15th to 18th week of pregnancy to screen for birth defects like Down’s Syndrome.
Keep a track of the doctor’s appointments and eat right.

(c) Emotional attachment with baby

As the mother becomes aware of the baby’s growth, the attachment with the unborn becomes manifold. The mother has started sensing the movements of the baby now, and it is common to see her talking to the baby and becoming ecstatic on feeling the baby kick.

How Dads can help Mom

The father must continue being supportive and help his partner in running errands. In addition, he must start preparing for the upcoming baby. Shopping for the new member of the family and must start. Most fathers are also excited about thinking of names for the new one.
This week accounts for a major change in a woman’s body during her pregnancy time and gives her the best possible shape of her motherhood. The baby can be felt at this time and so these moments should be enjoyed as they are purely eternal.

TIPS

Diet

The meals must be small and balanced. Mother’s are advised to take iron- rich foods. Green vegetables like spinach must be included in the diet and one must avoid binging on junk food to prevent gaining excessive weight.