15 weeks pregnant: Pregnancy Symptoms & Baby Development
15 weeks pregnant: Pregnancy Symptoms & Baby Development
Read time: 4 minutes
15 weeks pregnant is how many months?
Month 4 (Trimester 2)
Baby development at 15 weeks
Your baby’s eyebrows and eyelashes are starting to grow.
What’s happening in your body
By week 15, you may have the first signs of a pregnancy bump.
Stay hydrated
Discover the importance of good hydration throughout your pregnancy.
Baby development at 15 weeks
How big is my baby? And what does my baby look like?
Your baby is now the size of an apple, around 10.1cm in size and about 70 grams in weight. Along with more lanugo (the hair that covers their body to keep them warm) your baby’s started growing eyebrows and eyelashes. Although their eyes remain closed, they’re becoming sensitive to light. Along with this, your baby is starting to hear1.
Your baby can hear sounds in your body such as your heartbeat, voice and digestive system. They can also pick up muffled sounds from outside2, but can’t make sense of them yet3.
Your baby, this week
Discover the science behind your baby's developments, week-by-week
You're starting to show
You may notice a few people staring at your belly. Your baby’s growing quickly and your womb is also filling with amniotic fluid and the placenta. It’s getting crowded in there, so don’t worry if you feel an occasional jabbing pain in your side1.
Itchy skin
Your hormones may start making your skin feel itchy. Unscented moisturisers can help, as can taking a bath. If it starts to become distracting, especially at night, see your doctor or midwife as there’s a small chance you could have a liver condition called obstetric cholestasis1.
Watch for infection
You have more blood flowing around your pelvic area which can cause your body to produce more of the milky fluid called leucorrhoea that keeps your vagina clean and free from infection. Sometimes this can appear as a clear, white or creamy-coloured vaginal discharge. If it changes colour, becomes pungent or changes texture, call your doctor or midwife1.
Pregnancy symptoms at 15 weeks
For many women, unpleasant side-effects of pregnancy have passed - but there are still a few who may still be experiencing things like:
- Bloating and constipation
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Morning sickness
- Hot flushes
- Dizzy spells and headaches
- Swollen hands and feet1
Hydration stations
It’s important to stay hydrated when you’re pregnant. Drinking enough water is essential for your own health and your baby’s development. This also extends to milk, fruit juices, squash, and even soup. Tea and coffee also count but please take care to limit your caffeine intake. You shouldn’t have more than 200mg of caffeine each day while you’re pregnant. That’s equal to:
- 2 mugs of tea, and 1 can of cola
- 1 mug of instant coffee and 1 can (250ml) of energy drink
THE
SCIENCE
BEHIND
HYDRATION
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Around 60% of the human body is water, and we naturally lose two litres a day. Water keeps our complex systems working properly, while helping us absorb nutrients and flush out toxins5. During pregnancy, increased demands on your body mean you’ll need more water than usual to avoid becoming dehydrated6.
The European Food Safety Authority recommends women drink around 2 litres of water daily, with an extra 300ml each day during pregnancy7. That’s about 9–10 250ml drinks each day. Try to avoid fizzy drinks and drinks high in sugar. With little nutritional value, it’s best to seek a healthier alternative6. Fruit juice can be high in sugar, but as long as it’s pure fruit, one 150ml glass can also count as part of your daily 5-a-day fruit and vegetable intake8.
Foods to avoid while pregnant
There's nothing specific to avoid during individual weeks, but throughout your pregnancy, it's wise to give the following a miss:
Raw and undercooked meat
Unpasteurised milk and dairy products
Liver, and excessive consumption of foods high in vitamin A
How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?
Weight gain during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy weight, and varies a great deal from mother to mother. Most women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22–28lb) while pregnant, some of which is the weight of the growing baby9.
Last reviewed: 23rd December 2019
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