You’re 15 weeks into your pregnancy journey, with 25 weeks to go! Baby’s growth has accelerated since you hit the second trimester, and he or she will continue growing very quickly. What else is going on in week 15 pregnancy? Let’s take a look!
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
At week 15 pregnancy, 13 weeks from conception, your little one is about the size of a pear! He or she measures 4 to 4 1/2 inches from crown to rump, and weighs about 1 3/4 ounces (1). What is your baby up to this week?
Your adorable bump may now be noticeable to those around you. Don’t worry if you don’t have a visible bump, though. It’s still early and it’s especially common to show later in a first pregnancy. Whether your baby belly is obvious to outsiders, it is almost certainly noticeable to you. How exciting to have the first visual evidence of your baby’s growth!
Your uterus is about the size of a grapefruit, and it now reaches just above the pubic bone (2). Your healthcare provider can now feel the top of it by pressing on your belly, and you may be able to as well. Press gently just above your pubic bone, or four to five inches below your belly button. The fundus, or top of the uterus, will feel like the top of a semi-firm ball — less squishy than the intestines around it.
Your baby has become quite active! She flips and rolls around in the amniotic now (2). She can flex her arms and legs, open and close her hands into fists, and an ultrasound might even show her bringing her hands to her mouth. It’s still pretty early for you to be able to feel movement, though it’s something to look forward to in coming weeks!
The first fetal movements, called quickening, are usually felt between 16 and 22 weeks (3). A first-time mom is likely to be on the later end of this range, while moms who have been pregnant before are more likely to feel quickening earlier (or earlier to recognize it.)
Sometimes it takes a little while to determine if what you’re feeling is in fact the baby moving. These first gentle movements may feel like butterflies fluttering, popcorn popping, or bubbles moving around in your tummy. Pretty soon it will begin happening regularly enough for you to be certain that what you’re feeling is the movement of your tiny one. This brings your pregnancy to a whole new level of feeling “real,” and can help you form a connection and bond with your baby.
As you’ve realized by now, there is a seemingly endless list of symptoms that come along with pregnancy. Some you may have known about before pregnancy, and others may be surprising you. Let’s look at a couple of symptoms that may pop up during this trimester.
Constipation is common in pregnancy. It is likely a combination of the bowels becoming sluggish due to increased hormones, the intestines becoming displaced by the growing baby, and the iron-rich supplements most pregnant women take (4). You can help combat constipation by drinking lots of water to soften the stool. Eating a fiber-rich diet will bulk up the stool, and regular exercise like walking can help the stool move through the bowel. If despite your best efforts constipation continues, talk to your healthcare provider about the option of fiber supplements or stool softeners.
Hemorrhoids are varicose veins (swollen, enlarged veins) in the lower rectum and anus. They’re an obnoxious yet common problem during or after pregnancy. They may be caused by a combination of factors, including the uterus pressing on the veins and interfering with circulation (4). Add to it the straining that accompanies constipation, and voila. You’ve got yourself a hemorrhoid. (They may also occur after you deliver, as a result of pushing during delivery.)
Symptoms of hemorrhoids include itching, swelling, pain, and bleeding. Here are some things you can try to alleviate the discomfort of hemorrhoids:
Learn more about hemorrhoids and other varicose veins in pregnancy. It will give you a good understanding of the how and why and more advice on dealing with hemorrhoids. But as always, we encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider about any medical concerns you may have.
Join us next week to learn about week 16 of pregnancy!
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You’re 15 weeks into your pregnancy journey, with 25 weeks to go! Baby’s growth has accelerated since you hit the second trimester, and he or she will continue growing very
