Your pregnancy symptoms at 15 weeks pregnant

You could be noticing your clothes are getting tighter. You might need to invest in looser pants soon as you start ‘showing’. If this is not your first baby, you’ll start to show earlier than first time mums.

Your heart is pushing a lot more blood around and has increased about 20% in size. That extra blood flow may give you a bit more energy, it is the cause of some of your weight gain, and can also cause:

• Blocked nose, stuffiness and snoring
• Varicose veins
• Swelling in legs, hands and feet.

Dental problems in second trimester

It’s not uncommon to suffer from dental issues at 15 weeks, or throughout your entire pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones are to blame, and can result in red, swollen gums that are prone to gingivitis or infection. This is because your mouth is reacting differently to the bacteria in plaque. Make sure you are flossing and brushing daily, as well as seeing your dentist if any problems arise. Gingivitis can progress to infection of the bones in your mouth which is called periodontitis.

There have been studies that show a link between premature birth, pre-eclampsia, and low birth weight with gum disease during pregnancy. Make sure you regularly inspect your teeth throughout your pregnancy and understand that dental problems are common.

Also keep an eye out for a small lump that may appear on your gums. This benign growth is called a pregnancy tumor. It’s harmless and painless, and will go away after you have your baby.

How much weight should I gain at 14 weeks pregnant?

Everyone is different. It depends on your build before pregnancy, genetics, and a host of other factors. Also, this early in your second trimester, you still may be struggling to recover from morning sickness, making it hard to gain weight. In general, it’s recommended you gain between 10 and 15kg overall throughout your pregnancy, but it’s possible to be healthy and gain less, or more.

While it averages out about .4 kg a week gain in the second and third trimesters, it’s not a regular, smooth process. Slow and steady weight gain is good, but weight can fluctuate throughout the pregnancy so don’t be alarmed if you suddenly gain 3kg in one week and lose most of it the next.

If you weigh yourself at home, do it at the same time each week and be consistent.

Digestion and pregnancy

If you were unlucky enough to have bad morning sickness in the first trimester, you probably are starting to feel better now. Eating is no longer is a miserable, painful experience. Enjoy this while it lasts because other gastrointestinal problems that can happen with pregnancy can start from about now.

Pregnancy hormones can relax the oesophageal sphincter, which is the valve between the oesophagus and stomach. This allows acids from your stomach to splash back up into the oesophagus. And then, as you get further into your pregnancy, your baby and uterus get larger, pushing on your stomach so there’s less room inside. Also, hormones can make the body digest food slower. Together, this means heartburn, acid reflux, and pain.

If you are experiencing any reflux or heartburn issues, try a few techniques that may help to ease the pain:

• Eat smaller meals, more frequently
• Don’t lie down after eating; a walk around the block may help to digest food
• Don’t drink water when you eat a meal, drink before or afterwards
• Chewing gum may stimulate saliva production which can help with digestion
• Some people say almonds help to soothe heartburn, or a glass of almond milk
• Chew your food extra thoroughly, so your body has less work to do
• Avoid trigger foods. These are different for everyone, but common ones include spicy food, fried and fatty foods, chocolate, caffeine, fizzy drinks, and mint or citrus.
• Avoid bending or leaning forward.

How to stay healthy at 15 weeks pregnant

There are a few basic ways to stay as healthy as possible, and now that you’ve left the problems on first trimester behind, it’s time to start doing some exercise and eating a healthy diet.

Whatever exercise you’re used to, other than ones like horse riding that put you at risk of a fall, can be adjusted to suit pregnancy. Avoid sit-ups, burpees, and deep yogic twists, but most other forms of exercise are fine. Swimming, aqua-jogging, walking, yoga and pilates are all great options.

Despite the heartburn, try and eat well. Fresh fruit, vegetables, lots of whole grains, and protein will keep you and your baby happy, and healthy. Although sometimes, if baby demands pizza and cake, it’s really best for everyone if that is provided.

Your baby at 15 weeks pregnant

Your baby is now directing its energy into some serious growing. The eyelashes and eyebrows are becoming distinguishable and the first bones to harden are the three in the inner ear. This means your baby is able to hear, although the brain is probably not yet capable of processing these signals. You might like to start singing to, or reading to, your baby.

The skin is still translucent, and allows the developing blood vessels to be visible through the skin. He or she has a skeleton, and it’s ossifying—basically, hardening and integrating itself.

All this growth is supported by the baby’s movements. He or she is busy all day, practicing breathing, swallowing and sucking. This is so that by the time he or she arrives, it has all the movements and processes needed to survive in the outside world. As well as this, the baby is doing aerobics, although you won’t be able to feel it yet. He or she is kicking, curling their tiny toes, and waving their arms around.

How big is a baby at 15 weeks pregnant?

Your baby is also about the size of an avocado, weighing about 50g. The baby is gaining weight at an increasing rate, and is 10 cm long. It now looks more like a human baby rather than a tadpole; ears, nose, mouth are all starting to get into their correct places.