15 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Development, Symptoms and Tips
Short Answer: At 15 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 10 cm long, roughly the size of an apple, and weighs around 70 grams. The bones are hardening, fine hair covers the skin, the baby can sense light through closed eyelids and may already be hiccuping and kicking, though you probably cannot feel it yet. You are in the middle of the second trimester, when energy is usually good and nausea has mostly gone. This is the start of the window for the quad screening test and for amniocentesis if your doctor recommends it. Keep taking your iron and folic acid, stay active, sleep on your side and call a doctor for heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking or fever.
Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period, not from conception. Fifteen weeks pregnant means about thirteen weeks since conception. You are in your fourth month with about 25 weeks to go. For the week before, read our guide to 14 weeks pregnant, for the next, 16 weeks pregnant, and to follow the whole journey see our pregnancy guidelines week by week.
Week 15 at a glance
| Detail | At 15 weeks |
|---|---|
| Trimester | Second |
| Months | About 3.5 to 4 |
| Baby’s length | About 10 cm (4 inches) |
| Baby’s weight | About 70 grams |
| Heart rate | About 140 to 160 beats per minute |
| Weeks to go | About 25 |
| Size comparison | An apple |
Your baby at 15 weeks
Growth. Your baby is still growing quickly. The legs have caught up with the arms, and the body is in better proportion with the head. Over the next month the weight will more than double.
Bones and muscles. The skeleton is hardening as cartilage turns to bone. The bones show up more clearly on ultrasound now. The muscles are stronger, so the movements are more controlled, and your baby can turn, stretch and kick.
Skin and hair. The skin is still thin and see-through, so blood vessels show underneath. Fine, soft hair called lanugo covers the body. Hair on the head is growing, and a pattern is forming. Eyebrows and eyelashes are developing. Fingerprints and toe prints have formed, and they are unique to your baby.
Eyes and ears. The eyelids are closed, but your baby can sense light through them. If you shine a torch at your belly, your baby may turn away, though the response is faint at this stage. The ears are moving into position, and the tiny bones inside are hardening. Your baby will start to hear sounds, such as your heartbeat and voice, in the next weeks.
Taste and breathing. Taste buds are forming, and your baby swallows amniotic fluid, which has a taste that changes with what you eat. Your baby also practises breathing movements by moving the chest, though the lungs are filled with fluid, not air. This practice helps the lungs and muscles develop.
Organs. The kidneys make urine. The liver and spleen are working, and the pancreas is producing insulin. The thyroid is active. The brain is growing fast, with more connections forming between nerve cells.
Movement. Your baby is very active, with kicks, hiccups, turns and thumb-sucking. Some people who have been pregnant before feel faint flutters at 15 weeks, like bubbles or a butterfly. First-time mothers usually feel the first movement between 18 and 22 weeks. Do not worry if you feel nothing yet. A placenta at the front of the womb, called an anterior placenta, can mute movement for a while.
Sex. An ultrasound operator may be able to see the sex at 15 weeks, but it is not always reliable. The anomaly scan at 18 to 22 weeks gives a clearer answer if you want to know.
Your body at 15 weeks
Womb. Your womb is about the size of a small melon, and the top is roughly midway between the pubic bone and the navel. A bump is likely to be visible, especially if you have had a baby before. If this is your first, you may still look only slightly rounder. Both are normal, and body shape, height and muscle tone all affect how soon you show.
Energy. Most people feel more energetic now than in the first trimester. Take advantage of it with exercise, errands and planning, but do not overdo it.
Appetite. Your appetite is likely stronger. You need about 300 extra calories a day in the second trimester, about a banana, a glass of milk and a handful of nuts. You do not need to eat for two.
Blood volume. Your body is making more blood, and your heart works harder. You may feel warmer, sweat more, get dizzy when you stand up quickly or notice veins on your breasts and legs.
Skin and hair. A glow is common, but so are acne, dry or itchy skin and dark patches on the face (melasma). A dark line may appear down the middle of the belly (linea nigra). These usually fade after the birth. Hair often looks thicker, because less of it falls out.
Breasts. They may be larger and heavier, and the areolas can darken. A supportive, wire-free cotton bra helps.
Mood. Moods are often steadier now, but worry about scans, finances, work and the birth is normal. Fatigue can return later in the trimester.
Common symptoms and what helps
| Symptom | Why it happens | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Round ligament pain, a sharp pull in the lower belly or groin | Ligaments stretch as the womb grows | Move slowly, bend toward the pain when you cough or sneeze, rest, warm bath |
| Backache | Growing womb, loosening joints, posture | Flat supportive shoes, good posture, side-sleeping with a pillow, gentle stretches |
| Stuffy nose, nosebleeds | More blood flow to the nose lining | Saline spray, a humidifier, lean forward and pinch the nose for a bleed |
| Bleeding gums | More blood flow to the gums | Soft brush, gentle flossing, dental check |
| Headaches | Hormones, tiredness, dehydration | Rest, fluids, ask your doctor before taking medicine |
| Dizziness | Blood pressure changes, low blood sugar | Eat regularly, stand up slowly, lie on your left side if faint |
| Constipation | Slow gut, iron tablets | Fibre, water, daily movement |
| Heartburn | Relaxed valve at the top of the stomach | Smaller meals, avoid spicy and oily food, stay upright after eating |
| Leg cramps, mostly at night | Circulation and mineral changes | Calf stretches before bed, drink water, ask about calcium |
| Increased vaginal discharge | Hormones | Cotton underwear, no douching |
| Itchy, stretching skin on the belly | Skin stretching | Moisturiser, loose cotton clothes |
| Swollen feet and ankles | Fluid retention, mostly later | Raise your feet, avoid long standing, drink water |
| Skin darkening | Hormones | Sunscreen and a hat |
Do not take any medicine, including painkillers and herbal products, without asking a doctor or pharmacist.
When to call a doctor
| Usually normal | Call a doctor soon |
|---|---|
| Short, sharp pulls in the lower belly | Severe or constant abdominal pain |
| Mild cramps after activity that settle with rest | Bleeding that soaks a pad in an hour, or with clots |
| Milky white discharge | Watery fluid leaking, or foul, itchy or coloured discharge |
| Occasional headache | Severe headache with blurred vision or sudden swelling |
| Tiredness, mood swings | Fainting, chest pain or trouble breathing |
| Mild swelling of feet late in the day | Sudden swelling of the face and hands |
| Occasional nosebleed | Fever, burning urination or pain in one calf |
Report any bleeding to your doctor, even if it is light. Call straight away for fluid leaking from the vagina, regular tightening of the belly that does not stop, or pain with fever. If you feel sad, anxious or hopeless for more than two weeks, tell your doctor. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, seek help right away.
Screening and tests this week
This week opens the window for second-trimester screening. Which tests you can choose depends on where you live and what your doctor offers.
| Test | When | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Quad screen (blood test) | About 15 to 22 weeks | Estimates the chance of Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and neural tube defects |
| NIPT (blood test) | From 10 weeks | Screens for Down syndrome and some other conditions |
| Amniocentesis | From 15 to 16 weeks | Diagnostic test if screening shows a higher chance, or for other medical reasons |
| Anomaly scan | 18 to 22 weeks | Checks organs, growth, placenta and often the sex |
| Glucose test | 24 to 28 weeks | Screens for gestational diabetes |
| Anti-D injection | About 28 weeks, if you are Rh negative | Protects future pregnancies |
The quad screen. This blood test measures four substances in your blood. The results, together with your age and weight, give a chance for certain conditions. It is a screening test, not a diagnosis. A low chance is reassuring but not a guarantee. A higher chance means you can talk to your doctor about diagnostic testing.
Amniocentesis. A doctor uses a thin needle, guided by ultrasound, to take a small sample of amniotic fluid. The test can give a firm answer for chromosome conditions. It carries a small risk of miscarriage, which is why it is offered mostly when screening shows a higher chance or there is another reason. Ask your doctor about the benefits, risks and cost.
Other checks. Ask about your hemoglobin, blood sugar, blood pressure and urine at each visit. Ask about thalassemia screening, which is common in South Asia, and about the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine, which is usually given in the second trimester.
What to ask at your next visit
Bring a list. Good questions include:
- Is my blood pressure, weight and hemoglobin where they should be?
- Which screening tests do you recommend for me, and what do they cost?
- Should I take calcium, and when should I start?
- When should I get the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine?
- Which exercises are safe for me, and which should I avoid?
- Are my medicines safe, including any I take for long-term conditions?
- Which symptoms should make me call you, and what number should I use at night?
- Where should I plan to give birth, and what should I know about delivery options?
Write down the answers. Appointments go quickly, and it is hard to remember everything.
Food, supplements and weight
Eat more of:
- Protein: eggs, well-cooked fish, chicken, lentils (dal), beans and milk
- Iron-rich foods: leafy greens (shak), lean meat and lentils, with lemon or guava for vitamin C
- Fruit and vegetables: a variety of colours every day
- Whole grains and fibre: brown rice, whole wheat roti and oats
- Calcium: milk, yogurt and small fish eaten with the bones
- Water: about 8 to 10 glasses across the day
Take as advised: iron-folic acid tablets, calcium and vitamin D as your doctor prescribes. Do not add extra supplements on your own. Take iron away from tea and milk, and with something sour such as lemon, for better absorption. If iron upsets your stomach, ask your doctor about changing the time or the type.
Limit: caffeine to about 200 mg a day, which is one or two cups of tea or a single small coffee, and sugary and fried snacks.
Avoid:
- Alcohol and all tobacco, including second-hand smoke and products like zarda and jorda
- Raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs
- Unpasteurized milk and cheese
- Unwashed fruit and vegetables
- Large predatory fish that can be high in mercury, such as shark and swordfish
- High-dose vitamin A supplements, and large amounts of liver
- Herbal tonics and remedies your doctor has not approved
Weight gain. Most people have gained 0.5 to 2 kg or less by now. From here, a person of normal weight usually gains about 0.4 to 0.5 kg a week. Total gain depends on your weight before pregnancy, and Asian-specific BMI ranges may apply, so ask your doctor.
| Weight before pregnancy | Recommended total gain |
|---|---|
| Underweight | 12.5 to 18 kg |
| Normal weight | 11.5 to 16 kg |
| Overweight | 7 to 11.5 kg |
| Obese | 5 to 9 kg |
Sleep, back pain and exercise
Sleep. Sleep on your side, with a pillow between your knees and another under your belly. After about 20 weeks, doctors advise against sleeping flat on your back. Keep a regular bedtime, avoid screens at night and cut caffeine in the afternoon.
Back pain. The womb grows forward and pulls on your lower back. Wear flat, supportive shoes and avoid standing for long periods. Sit with your back supported, and lift by bending your knees, not your back. Gentle stretching, swimming and warm baths can help. Ask your doctor if the pain is severe or comes with other symptoms.
Exercise. The standard advice for healthy pregnancies is about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking on most days. Swimming, prenatal yoga, stationary cycling and pelvic floor exercises are good. You should be able to talk while you exercise. Avoid contact sports, heavy lifting and activities with a risk of falls. Stop and call your doctor if you have pain, bleeding, dizziness or trouble breathing.
Pelvic floor. Squeeze and lift the muscles you use to stop urine flow, hold for a few seconds and release. Do a few sets daily. Strong pelvic floor muscles help with bladder control during and after pregnancy.
Common questions about daily life
Hair dye. Most doctors consider hair dye low risk in the second trimester, particularly if you use it in a ventilated room and follow the instructions. Ask your doctor if you are unsure.
Flying and travel. The second trimester is usually the most comfortable time to travel. Check with your doctor first, carry your prenatal records, drink water and move around on long journeys.
Sex. It is safe for most healthy pregnancies unless your doctor advises otherwise. Many people find their desire returns now. Use comfortable positions as your belly grows.
Dental care. Dental treatment is safe, and this is the best trimester for it. Hormones make gums bleed, so brush gently and floss.
Work. Most people can keep working. Tell your doctor about night shifts, chemicals, heavy lifting or long standing. Under Bangladesh’s labour law, working mothers in the private sector are entitled to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, eight before and eight after the birth. Government employees receive six months. Check your own contract.
Money. Start a simple budget for prenatal care, delivery and baby costs. Ask the hospital or clinic about delivery packages and what they include.
Partners. Come to appointments if you can, help with chores and ask how she feels, then listen. This is a good time to talk about birth plans, names and parenting.
Checklist for this week
- Book your next prenatal visit and the anomaly scan for 18 to 22 weeks
- Ask about the quad screen, NIPT and amniocentesis, and their costs
- Take iron-folic acid and any supplements your doctor prescribes
- Ask about calcium, thalassemia screening and the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine
- Keep a list of your medicines and share it with your doctor
- Cut caffeine, alcohol and tobacco
- Start a daily walk and pelvic floor exercises
- Book a dental check
- Buy flat, supportive shoes and a comfortable bra
- Save your doctor’s number and the nearest hospital’s emergency number
FAQ
How big is the baby at 15 weeks?
About 10 cm long and 70 grams, roughly the size of an apple. Sizes vary a little between babies.
Can I feel the baby move at 15 weeks?
Some people who have been pregnant before feel faint flutters. Most first-time mothers feel the first movement between 18 and 22 weeks. Do not worry if you feel nothing yet.
Should I have a bump at 15 weeks?
Many people do, especially after a first pregnancy. First-time mothers may only look slightly rounder. Both are normal.
What is the quad screen?
A blood test done at about 15 to 22 weeks that estimates the chance of Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and neural tube defects. It is a screening test, not a diagnosis.
Can I find out the baby’s sex at 15 weeks?
Sometimes a sonographer can see it, but it is not always reliable. The anomaly scan at 18 to 22 weeks gives a clearer answer.
Is it safe to exercise at 15 weeks?
Yes for most healthy pregnancies. Walking, swimming, gentle yoga and pelvic floor exercises are good. Avoid contact sports and heavy lifting.
What is round ligament pain?
A short, sharp pain in the lower belly or groin, caused by the ligaments that support the womb stretching. It is usually harmless and eases with rest. Call your doctor if it is severe or comes with bleeding or fever.
Can the baby hear at 15 weeks?
The ears are forming, and hearing begins to develop over the next weeks. Your baby will start to react to loud sounds and your voice by around 20 to 25 weeks.
Is it okay to sleep on my back at 15 weeks?
Occasional back-sleeping is usually fine at this stage. Doctors advise side-sleeping from about 20 weeks, so start building the habit now.
Note: This article gives general information and does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife. Every pregnancy is different. Call your doctor or go to a hospital if you have bleeding, severe pain, fainting or any symptom that worries you.
