15 weeks pregnant: pregnancy symptoms and your baby’s development

There are lots of exciting things happening for you and your baby at 15 weeks pregnant.

You might start to notice the first signs of your bump as your baby continues to grow, and your baby’s senses are rapidly developing. Around now, their eyes are sensitive to light, and they’re starting to hear sounds like your voice and your heartbeat¹.

From what’s happening in your body to your baby’s development and the importance of staying hydrated, read our complete guide to learn what you can expect at 15 weeks pregnant.

At 15 weeks pregnant, your baby’s senses are developing quickly. Their eyes are still closed, but they’re becoming sensitive to light¹. Your baby’s sense of hearing is also starting to develop, and they may now be able to hear your voice, heartbeat, and the movements of your digestive system, as well as some noises from the outside world². Now is a great time to start talking to and stroking your bump, as it can help you to start bonding with your baby and help them to recognise your voice. 

While you might not be able to feel it just yet (especially if this is your first baby), your baby is busy moving around in your uterus. They can also suck their thumb³, and continue to swallow amniotic fluid and produce urine, which they started to do at around week 14 of your pregnancy⁴.

Your baby at 15 weeks is now about the size of an apple, measuring around 10.1cm in size¹. Along with more lanugo (the fine, downy hair that covers their body to keep them warm), your baby’s facial features continue to develop, and they’ve started growing eyebrows and eyelashes on their tiny eyes¹.

As you reach 15 weeks of pregnancy, you might now be able to see your baby bump starting to develop. If your clothes are starting to feel a little tight, it might be time to start thinking about maternity wear, and getting a well-fitted bra will provide your growing breasts with the support they need.

At this point in your pregnancy, you might be experiencing what some women call a second-trimester ‘pregnancy glow’. Your skin might feel plumper and your hair thicker and shinier. However, remember that all pregnancies are different, so if you’re not feeling quite your best, take every opportunity to rest and take care of yourself.

For some women, at 15 weeks pregnant, the symptoms they experienced in the early weeks of pregnancy have started to subside or calmed down completely. But that’s not the case for everyone, so let’s explore some of the symptoms that you might still be experiencing.

It’s common for your skin to feel itchy as your changing pregnancy hormones increase. Itching can also be the result of your skin starting to stretch around your growing baby bump⁵. You can help to ease the symptoms by⁵:

• Wearing loose clothing in breathable materials such as cotton
• Having a cool bath
• Frequently applying moisturiser
• Using perfume-free lotions and soaps    

Most itchy skin is a normal part of pregnancy and won’t cause any harm to you or your baby. Occasionally, itching can be a sign of something more serious called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a condition affecting your liver that will need to be monitored throughout your pregnancy. ICP usually develops from 28 weeks, but it can sometimes cause symptoms in early pregnancy⁵. If you notice that your itching is worse at night or more pronounced on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, call your doctor or midwife.

If you notice a sharp jabbing around your lower abdomen or groin area, this could be something known as round ligament pain.

Round ligaments are the cords of tissue that connect your uterus to your pelvis, and the pain is caused by these being stretched as your baby gets bigger. Pregnancy hormones also have a part to play too⁶.

Lots of women experience round ligament pain in pregnancy, especially after 12 weeks, and while it isn’t harmful, it can be a little annoying - not to mention painful. Here are a few things you can try to ease any discomfort⁶:

• When you rest and sleep, try to lay on your side with a pillow between your legs.
• Keep yourself hydrated.
• Have a warm bath.
• When you stand up or change positions, do so slowly.
• Give pregnancy yoga or Pilates a try.
• Lean forward and support your bump when you sneeze or cough.

If you’re still in pain, or if you experience any severe or persistent abdominal pain, speak to your doctor or midwife.

The increase in blood flow around your pelvic area during pregnancy can lead to increased vaginal discharge. This milky fluid, called leucorrhoea, protects you and your baby by keeping your vagina clean and preventing infections from travelling up to your cervix¹.

This is perfectly normal, but you should always speak to your doctor or midwife if your discharge changes colour or texture or has an unpleasant smell. You should also seek medical advice if your vagina becomes sore or itchy, you experience any pain when you go for a wee, or if you experience any vaginal bleeding¹.

Pregnancy hormones can mean that you’re more likely to develop thrush, a vaginal yeast infection. Symptoms of thrush include⁷:

• Itchiness or irritation around your vulva and vagina.
• Discharge that has the consistency of cottage cheese (it doesn’t usually smell).
• Soreness or stinging when you go for a wee.

If you think you could have thrush, speak to your doctor or midwife, who’ll be able to give you treatment options that are safe to use while you’re pregnant.

Whilst it's not a medically proven condition, many pregnant women are familiar with the term ‘baby brain’. So, if you notice that you’re being a little more forgetful and struggling to think clearly or stay organised, you’re certainly not alone⁸.

There’s no real explanation behind why pregnant women experience baby brain, but fluctuating hormones, a lack of sleep, and anxiety around planning for your little one making an appearance could all play a part⁹.

If you’re looking to banish your baby brain, here are a few top tips from us:

• Embrace rest and sleep when you can. Try putting a routine in place that helps you to relax before bed. A warm bath, low lights, and no screen time can all help. 
• Ask for help. Pregnancy can be overwhelming at times, so don’t be afraid to lean on those around you for help. 
• Write a list. Whether it’s of things you need to do the next day or things you need to buy, writing things down can help you to stay on top of things.

During your pregnancy, it can feel as though all your focus goes on your baby, but it’s important to look after you and your health too. Below you’ll find our advice for doing just that. 

The hormonal changes during pregnancy can leave your teeth and gums more susceptible to plaque, which can lead to swollen and bleeding gums¹⁰.

Good oral hygiene is really important during pregnancy, so make sure that you¹⁰:

• Clean your teeth twice a day, brushing for at least 2 minutes.
• Floss every day. This will help to remove any trapped food from between your teeth.
• Limit your intake of sweets, sugary foods, and soft drinks - stick to a healthy and balanced diet.
• Have regular dental check ups.
• If you’re struggling with morning sickness, rinse your mouth with water to clean it.

Your dental treatment is free during pregnancy and for the first year after your baby is born. You’ll need a maternity exemption certificate and your midwife will discuss this with you during your antenatal appointments.

If you haven’t already, now is a good time to start doing your pelvic floor exercises. Pelvic floor exercises help to tone your pelvic floor muscles, which can help prevent you leaking urine if you sneeze or cough.

To do them, imagine that you’re having a wee and stopping mid-flow - keep practicing and you’ll soon get the hang of it.

Follow our top nutrition tips for a healthy pregnancy diet:

• Eat a varied and balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
• Be aware of the foods you should avoid in pregnancy . These include raw and undercooked meat, unpasteurised milk and dairy products, and liver and any foods high in vitamin A¹¹.
• Avoid eating for 2! Whilst you might be more hungry during your pregnancy, you don’t need any extra calories until you reach your third trimester. Even then, you’ll only need an additional 200 calories a day¹².
• Cut down on salt and limit foods that are high in sugar and saturated fats.
• Stay hydrated.