Week 15 of Pregnancy
Your baby is about the size of a navel orange
Your Baby This Week
Development milestones for week 15
At 15 weeks pregnant, your baby is roughly the size of an apple or navel orange, measuring around 4 inches long and weighing about 2.5 ounces. This week marks a significant growth spurt that makes things start feeling more real. Your baby's legs are now longer than their arms, and those tiny limbs are becoming more proportional to the rest of their body. The skeleton is transitioning from soft cartilage to harder bone, and your little one is practicing breathing movements by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. Those thin eyelids remain fused shut, but your baby can sense light if you shine a flashlight on your belly. The ears have moved to their final position on the sides of the head, and while hearing is not fully developed, the structures are forming rapidly. Your baby is also growing a fine layer of downy hair called lanugo that helps regulate body temperature.
Your Body This Week
Changes you may experience
Welcome to what many moms call the start of the "golden trimester." At 15 weeks pregnant, you might finally feel human again after weeks of exhaustion and nausea. Your energy is returning, food is starting to sound appealing, and that constant queasy feeling is fading for most women. Your bump is beginning to make an appearance, though this varies wildly. Some first-time moms say they were "still in regular jeans" at 15 weeks, while others report needing the rubber band trick already. Round ligament pain is a common new symptom that catches women off guard. It feels like sharp, jabbing sensations on the sides of your lower belly, especially when you stand up quickly, sneeze, or roll over in bed. Your skin might feel itchy as it stretches to accommodate your growing uterus. Many women notice their hair and nails growing faster, and some experience that "pregnancy glow" from increased blood flow.
Tips & Advice for Week 15
Practical guidance from real moms
Invest in a belly band or start shopping for maternity pants now rather than suffering in uncomfortable clothes. Many women say they "wished they bought maternity pants sooner." For round ligament pain, the top advice is to move slowly when changing positions and support your belly when you sneeze or cough. A pregnancy pillow can help with sleep positioning as your bump grows. This is a great week to start taking weekly bump photos if you have not already. Many moms also suggest enjoying this energy boost while it lasts by tackling nursery planning or taking a babymoon trip before the third trimester discomfort kicks in. Stay hydrated with at least eight glasses of water daily to support your increased blood volume and help with skin elasticity.
Medical Guidance for Week 15
What to discuss with your healthcare provider
Your provider may offer the quad screen test around weeks 15-18, which screens for chromosomal conditions and neural tube defects. This is a blood test only and does not diagnose conditions, just indicates if further testing is needed. If you have not already had NIPT testing, discuss your options with your doctor. Contact your healthcare provider immediately for severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or persistent vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down.
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.