You are 15 weeks pregnant or in your 16th week of pregnancy (counting from the first day of your Last Menstrual Period).
Keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary. For variations and details, please talk to your doctor.
What’s happening to the baby?
- The baby’s circulation and urinary systems are in full working condition.
- The baby’s tiny heart is pumping a lot of blood.
- The baby can breathe now. But the baby is inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid and not air - as in breathing underwater. This helps to develop the baby’s respiratory system. Remember that the placenta carries oxygen directly to the baby’s blood. So it is okay for the baby not to be able to breathe air right now.
- Your baby is about 11 centimetres long (Crown to rump length) and weighs about 70 grams.
What’s happening to mom?
- As your baby grows, your uterus is also growing. You might start “showing”. Moms who have had babies earlier usually start showing much earlier than first time moms because their skin is more lax and can stretch more easily to accommodate the growing baby.
- At your next doctor’s appointment, the doctor might start measuring your fundal height (the distance from your pubic bone to the top of the uterus). This measures your uterus and the baby inside it. Each woman’s measurements can be different but what the doctors generally look for is the consistency of growth.
- You might start to have problems in sleeping because of your expanding belly. This will only get worse as you get bigger. So it is really important that you have a good sleeping routine.
- Your body is producing increased quantity of amniotic fluid that will protect the baby in the uterus. There is increased supply of blood in your body that enhances your skin and hair at this time. But sometimes it can over activate the oil glands causing oily skin. If you start noticing oily skin, do wash and cleanse your face and skin often.
Checklist for mom
- If you are going for a trip, prepare for your trip well and read our travel tips during pregnancy.
- You might be going for many tests like Maternal Serum Marker test or AFP (this is taken from week 15 to week 18) or Amniocentesis (if you are above 35) in the next few weeks. Read up and make sure you have scheduled these and these are on your calendar
- Ensure that you are exercising to stay healthy. It will also help in an easy delivery. Walking and mild swimming are encouraged.
- This might be a good time to start doing Kegel exercises to strengthen your lower abdominal muscles. This can help you in your childbirth and post delivery recovery.
- While you still have the energy, this might be a good time to start some spring-cleaning, weeding out the stuff you do not need and making space for the new baby and the baby stuff.
- You could start planning your maternity wardrobe. Go check out some shops. Check out the Parentree article on maternity clothes.
Ideas for dad
- Mom might have problems sleeping as her belly expands. Ensure that she gets her sleep. Help her in falling asleep with a quick massage and playing relaxing music. This will only get worse as your wife gets bigger. So, it’s good to help her start a sleeping routine now itself.
- Help mom with spring-cleaning, weeding out stuff you do not need and making space for baby.
Other tidbits
- Have you thought about names for the baby? You might have fun thinking of names and even funny imaginary names for your baby.
- Interesting fact: If your baby is a girl, her tiny ovary will probably have about 2 million eggs and the eggs will reduce when she is born to about 1 million eggs and with every year reduce even further.
- Ask other Parentree parents on tips for maternity clothes.
Useful Parentree articles for this stage of pregnancy
Pregnancy - Week by week
See what's happening with baby and mom
Checklists - things to do, shopping, tests, scans, doctor visits
Ideas for dad
Interesting information and facts
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