15 Weeks Pregnant

Now that you've reached 15 weeks, you may be entering the so-called “honeymoon” period of your pregnancy with an extra boost of energy. Here, we've assembled some information on your baby's development and the symptoms you may be experiencing, along with some insights, tips, and questions to consider when you're 15 weeks pregnant. We’ve got you covered, so relax and enjoy!

Highlights at 15 Weeks Pregnant

Your little one is growing and developing every day, and changes are happening in the way you look and feel at 15 weeks pregnant. Here are some highlights:

• Your baby’s hair pattern is forming as early hair growth appears.

• Your little one is becoming more active each week, even if you can’t feel their movements just yet.

• You may experience increased energy and an easing of some difficult symptoms.

• At 15 weeks pregnant, your pregnancy bump may be starting to show. You might consider showing it off in some way or taking pictures of your 15 week pregnant belly!

15 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

Of course, every baby develops differently! But here are some fetal developments your little one may be making at 15 weeks pregnant:

• Your baby’s facial features are continuing to move into position, and their little ears are sitting low on each side of the head.

• Your little one’s hair pattern is also forming, along with some early hair growth.

• Some babies are born with a full head of hair, and others are bald for their first few months of life. All babies will develop a layer of soft, downy hair called lanugo, which may be growing this week and will soon start to cover your baby's body.

• Thin, translucent skin covers blood vessels that are now moving up to 100 pints of blood every day, thanks to the pumping heartbeat of your baby’s developing heart at 15 weeks.

• You may not feel it yet, but your little gymnast is becoming more active this week, moving, turning, and rolling around in the amniotic sac.

Download our pregnancy guide to learn more about what’s in store for you and your baby during the next weeks and months. And even though it may be too early to learn your baby’s gender at 15 weeks, you can have some (completely unscientific) fun with our Chinese gender predictor:

How Many Months Is 15 Weeks Pregnant?

Weeks or months? Your pregnancy may be described in both ways, though weeks are more common. The 40 weeks of pregnancy can be assigned into months using various methods; however, at 15 weeks pregnant you’re likely in your fourth month of pregnancy, and you may have started to notice a belly bump and some additional symptoms!

“If I'm 15 weeks pregnant, when is my due date?” It's thrilling to think about the day you'll meet your new baby! Your healthcare provider will help you come up with this date, but in the meantime, try our Due Date Calculator to get an idea of when your little one may join the world.

How Big Is a Baby at 15 Weeks Pregnant?

Now that you’re 15 weeks pregnant, your fetus is about the size of a grapefruit, measuring about 4 inches long.

Your Baby: What Does 15 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

Check out the illustration below to discover “what does a baby look like at 15 weeks pregnant,” in your second trimester.

Your Body at 15 Weeks Pregnant

Although every mom-to-be is unique, it’s not unusual for the bump to start showing sometime between 13 and 16 weeks of pregnancy.

If you’re ready to share the news of your pregnancy with the world, you might be happy to have a “show and tell” with your bump, but if you want to keep things under wraps for a little while longer you may want to grab some oversized tops to buy you some time.

In other news: Many moms-to-be report feeling less tired and more energized at this point in the pregnancy, sometimes called the honeymoon period! If you're experiencing this extra oomph of energy, enjoy it! Get some exercise, look into childbirth classes, find local parents’ groups, or start planning your baby’s room.

What’s your nursery style, anyway? Take our nursery style quiz to find out. And don’t forget to rest when you can!

15 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 15 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Swollen feet and legs. One condition that may crop up is edema, a type of swelling that may occur in your feet, lower legs, or even in your hands and arms, with swollen feet and ankles being among the most common symptoms. Edema occurs when your body retains fluid, which can happen during pregnancy. Swollen feet may also be caused by the hormone relaxin, which causes the ligaments in the feet to loosen and the bones to spread. To help reduce some of the swelling, you could try soaking your feet in a cool foot bath and elevating them whenever possible.

• Swollen, bleeding gums. Red, swollen gums that feel sensitive and tend to bleed when you brush and floss may be caused by pregnancy hormones that increase the likelihood of inflammation and gum disease, such as gingivitis. Such gum diseases have been linked to an increased risk of preterm birth. The good news is you can help alleviate any discomfort and irritation by rinsing with salt water and brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You could also contact your dentist for expert advice on what to do. Just don’t abandon your regular dental care routine of brushing and flossing daily and visiting your dentist every six months.

• Nasal congestion. If you feel as if your nose is constantly stuffy or if you suffer from nosebleeds, you might be able to blame these symptoms on pregnancy hormones. Whether it's at 15 weeks or throughout your pregnancy, those pesky hormones may cause the mucous membranes in your nose to swell and dry out. Make sure you stay hydrated and try saline nasal drops for relief.

• Lower back pain. If you’re feeling lower back pain at 15 weeks pregnant, you’re not alone—many pregnant women experience this symptom. Practicing good posture can help, and so can wearing low-heeled shoes with good support. Moderate exercise that strengthens your back muscles can also help prevent or alleviate lower back pain.

• Weight gain. With any luck, morning sickness is behind you now. Your appetite may have returned, and you may start noticing some weight gain at 15 weeks pregnant. Your little one is growing, and at 15 weeks pregnant your belly may start to appear more prominent.

• “Pregnancy brain.” Feeling more forgetful lately? This could be thanks to hormonal changes, lack of sleep, or even stress. Experts don’t yet know whether pregnancy has a real impact on your memory and mental sharpness, but if you feel more scatterbrained than usual, just know that many other moms-to-be feel the same way. Try using your tablet or smartphone to stay organized with lists and reminders. Read more about whether pregnancy brain is fact or fiction and what you can do to keep yourself organized.

• Spider veins. As pregnancy leads to changes in your circulation and increased blood volume, you may start to notice thin, red veins under the skin of your face or legs. Regular exercise and elevating your feet whenever possible can help improve your circulation and reduce your chances of getting spider veins, which usually fade after you give birth.

• Urinary tract infections. Pregnancy can make you more prone to UTIs. If you have pain when you pee, a strong urge to pee immediately, a fever, or back pain, inform your healthcare provider. Your provider may prescribe antibiotics to help prevent a more serious bladder or kidney infection.

How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 15 Weeks?

As mentioned above, every pregnant belly develops at its own rate, and you may or may not be showing right now. It’s possible that your pregnant belly’s size will become more evident at around 15 weeks, as a baby bump usually starts to show around weeks 12 to 16. During your second trimester, your uterus is positioned higher and more forward and is growing out of your pelvis as it becomes bigger.

Whether you're showing or not, you may be curious to know if you can feel your baby move at 15 weeks. Your little one is becoming more active and is moving around inside your uterus; however, you may or may not have felt those movements yet at 15 weeks. It's likely that by around 18 to 20 weeks you'll feel your baby move for the very first time, which is known as quickening.

What Does 15 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

For a better idea of what your belly might look like around 15 weeks pregnant, when you’re in your fourth month of pregnancy, check out the image below.

15 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

We’re here to help you on your journey through pregnancy. Check out our handy list of important things to think about at 15 weeks pregnant:

• The best way to keep your energy levels up and help tone your muscles is through mild exercise like walking, swimming, or yoga. Just make sure your healthcare provider gives you the OK before starting a new exercise routine. Walking is a great choice, because it’s low-impact, and you can motivate yourself by walking with a friend or family member as a nice outing. Consider using an app or another kind of tracking device that can show you how active you are on a daily basis. Download our guide to pregnancy exercise for more must-have information.

• Have you given any thought to where you will give birth? Experts consider hospitals and accredited birth centers to be the safest, and you can learn more about your options from your healthcare provider. Once you’ve settled on where, you might be able to arrange a tour of the hospital or center before you give birth. You can also use the second trimester to find out what other labor and delivery choices are available to you. For example, what comfort measures can you take advantage of, and who can be with you during labor and delivery.

• Before long, your little one will be able to hear sounds, and it might be fun to spend a little time every day listening to your favorite music together. Listening to music is also one of the many ways to relax and lower your stress levels during pregnancy.

• For most moms-to-be, sex can be perfectly safe during pregnancy. Keep the lines of communication open with your partner and speak to your healthcare provider if you have questions about sex during pregnancy. Keep in mind that it’s natural during pregnancy for your or your partner’s sex drive to be different, and it can even ebb and flow as you move through pregnancy. For you, as the mom-to-be, it can be influenced by things like pregnancy hormones, your growing belly, your feelings about all the changes taking place, and any pregnancy symptoms you may be experiencing at 15 weeks pregnant and throughout your pregnancy.

• If you hope to find out your baby’s gender at the mid-pregnancy ultrasound, it’s not too far off. This ultrasound is usually done somewhere between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, so at 15 weeks, you’re almost there. In the meantime, take our fun What’s Your Baby’s Gender quiz.

15 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider

Your healthcare provider is there for you throughout your pregnancy, so feel free to consult them about any questions or concerns you have now and in the weeks to come. Some common questions at 15 weeks pregnant include:

• Are dizzy spells normal? What can I do about them?

• What are the risks and benefits of any genetic tests that may be offered during the second trimester?

• Do you recommend amniocentesis?

• Is it safe to have an X-ray at my next dental appointment?

• Do you have any tips to help manage stress?

15 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

The following to-dos may help you along as your pregnancy progresses:

□ Start researching newborn essentials and preparing your baby shower registry. Download our registry checklist so you don’t miss something.

□ If you don't have health insurance, go to HealthCare.gov to find out about coverage through Medicaid, CHIP, and other programs in your state.

□ Ask your healthcare provider what your options are for places to give birth. Your choices may depend on what’s available in your area and what your health insurance covers if you have it.

□ If you work, investigate your maternity leave options, including how much time is available to you and how much of it might be paid. You still have several months to go, but it’s helpful to plan ahead.

□ Discover what’s in store for the rest of your pregnancy in our trimester-by-trimester guide.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}