At 15 weeks pregnant, you are in the second week of your second trimester, and it is a significant one.
Week fifteen will bring some major changes, and the best way to deal with them is to get informed beforehand. Here is what you can expect at 15 weeks pregnant.
Physical Symptoms During Fifteenth Pregnancy Week
Even though morning sickness and nausea are probably behind you at 15 weeks pregnant, week fifteen will bring on some more pregnancy symptoms.
Some are good, some are bad, but all of them are worth knowing beforehand; it is always best to be prepared.
Some of the most common pregnancy symptoms at 15 weeks pregnant are going to include:
- Nasal congestion
The combination of pregnancy hormones, hormonal changes, and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes will cause your nose to feel staffed during the day at 15 weeks pregnant. Rhinitis of pregnancy, which is the name of this condition, is something that the majority of women start to deal with during the second trimester of their pregnancy.
To get relief from pregnancy rhinitis, try using a vaporizer or a humidifier in your room while sleeping at night around 15 weeks pregnant. Elevating your head with extra pillows might also help and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
Saline nasal spray can also help, but be cautious with using decongestants and advise your healthcare provider beforehand.
- Nosebleeds
Many women, in fact, one in five pregnant women experienced nosebleeds, thanks to increased blood flow, increased blood volume, and blood vessels expanding in the nose. Nosebleeds, as well as bleeding gums, are usually a harmless consequence of the blood circulating in the area, although they can make a bit of a mess, make sure to visit your healthcare provider if they are frequent nosebleeds or if the bleeding does not stop after thirty minutes of applying pressure.
- Shortness of breath
At 15 weeks pregnant, getting fuller in the torso area makes it trickier for your lungs to expand enough for a full breath. This might make it challenging to get through a sentence without getting out of breath. This change will start when you are around 15 weeks pregnant and it will follow you during your pregnancy.
- Heartburn, gas, and/or indigestion
All of the tummy troubles you are probably experiencing at 15 weeks pregnant are closely tied to all of the hormonal changes you are going through during week fifteen of your pregnancy.
To help with the tummy troubles, such as indigestion, heartburn, and gas, try to avoid the foods you know cause the symptoms. Also, advise your doctor regarding safe stomach medications.
What Happens to The Baby During Week Fifteen of Pregnancy?
At 15 weeks pregnant, your baby’s growth is rapid, and the baby’s body is changing by the day. The baby weighs around two and a half ounces and it is about 4 inches long, which is about the size of a pear. Fetal development is going pretty nicely and steadily at this point of your pregnancy.
At 15 weeks pregnant, the baby’s ears are positioned properly on the sides of the head, and the eyes are moving to the front of the face. The baby inside of you practices sucking, breathing, and swallowing motions all day long, which is important for fetal development and later baby development.
During this pregnancy week of the second trimester, your fetus is also kicking, curling toes, and moving those little arms and legs. The Baby’s bones are getting stronger and stronger each day. You will not be able to feel the fetal movements inside you because the baby is so small; it only weighs a couple of ounces at this point!
Pregnancy Checklist During The Second Trimester
You need to keep up with some essential things during week fifteen of your pregnancy. It is hard to keep up with these things, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Here are some things you need to do during your 15th pregnancy week:
- Keep a pregnancy journal
Putting your feelings on paper during your pregnancy journey will be very beneficial for future moms! Of course, you can have an actual journal, but writing down a few notes on your phone can be beneficial too! Make sure to write down symptoms, such as pregnancy weight gain and cravings, but also sentimental stuff you can share with your baby once the time comes.
- Start a pregnancy exercise routine
Many pregnant women find that regular exercise classes are a great way to get support from future moms and get some fun physical movement. Some safe and healthy exercise options are water exercise, a walking group, prenatal Pilates, prenatal yoga, or a dance class.
- Rest when you can
Even though you might be feeling like you are bursting with energy now due to the change in your pregnancy hormones, overdoing it is not a good idea at fifteen weeks pregnant.
When dealing with some of the most common symptoms during your fifteenth week of pregnancy, such as headaches, backaches, and overworked joints and muscles, taking a nap might be just what your tired body needs!
If you can, get a pregnancy pillow; it will make sleeping so much more enjoyable!
What To Avoid or Begin to Avoid?
For a baby’s development and healthy pregnancy, there are some things you need to avoid during week fifteen of your pregnancy. During week fifteen, make sure to stay away from:
- Smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs, and being exposed to toxic substances.
- Drinking an excessive amount of caffeine.
- Carrying heavyweight and performing physically demanding workouts.
- Touching kitty litter or cat feces.
- Eating deli meats, raw or undercooked meat, fish, chicken, eggs, cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, unpasteurized dairy foods, high mercury fish such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and unwashed fruits and vegetables.
- Having close contact with anyone with rubella, chickenpox, or the Zika virus.
- Getting tattooed as it poses a risk of infection.
Medically reviewed by Tanja Premru-Sršen 
