Your baby is growing stronger by the day and is now four inches in length from the crown of his head to his bottom and is about the size of an orange. He weighs about two ounces by the time you are 15 weeks pregnant. The spinal cord of the baby which started forming during the first trimester is now completely formed. Folic acid is an important component that helps in forming the spinal cord but also helps in forming other parts of the baby’s body; therefore it is good to continue taking it.
The bones of the baby are usually made of cartilage during the first few months of the pregnancy, but at 15 weeks pregnant it begins to strengthen. Calcium, which is a mineral, plays an important part in this process and is vital throughout the developmental stages of the baby. The arms of the baby are developed and can stretch up in front of the baby’s face. The fingers are also well formed and defined as well as their finger prints.
Its skin is still transparent when you are 15 weeks pregnant so that you can see the blood vessels underneath. The baby’s activity is a little bit restricted during this time to that of breathing in and out the amniotic fluid. This is an important activity for the development of air sacs for breathing as well as strengthening the baby’s chest muscles. An amazing fact about the baby at 15 weeks pregnant is that it can sense light with its eyes even though they are shut. If you direct something hot or very bright onto your belly the baby will move away.
The woman now looks more pregnant since the uterus begins rising up above the hip bone at 15 weeks pregnant. You should have gained at least five to ten pounds by this time. Weight gain will continue for the next few weeks that you are pregnant, and a normal sized woman should gain at least twenty five to thirty pounds by the time she gives birth.
Getting gassy or having a lot of gas during 15 weeks pregnant is also a common occurrence due to the slow process of digestion caused by the high progesterone hormone that relaxes the muscles of the intestines. You should therefore consider eating small amounts of foods throughout the day.
The baby’s ears have already developed and he can hear loud noises at 15 weeks pregnant. It is good if you talk to the baby because she or he can hear you and bond with you. The baby at 15 weeks pregnant can start having hiccups which he/she can do even before learning how to breathe.
You will notice this because the sound does not come out of the lungs which are filled with amniotic fluid. Most of morning sickness is gone, this is the best time to begin doing gentle exercises such as swimming. This is a good way for you and the baby to relax and especially for you to ease off some of the pregnancy weight.
