Pregnancy Week 15: Fetal Development, Pregnancy Brain, Amniocentesis & Baby's First Movements Pregnancy Weekly

Your Baby

Your baby looks more and more like a baby as every day passes. At 4 inches long, Baby is about the size of an apple. Baby’s thin skin is still translucent, so the tiny veins are visible. All the limbs are bendable now, so there’s even more movement going on. Taste buds are forming, though it’ll be a while before there’s anything yummy to taste. Those tiny eyelids are still fused shut, but the ears are now where they’re supposed to be. Lanugo continues to grow, covering Baby’s body. Your little one spends his or her time bending, stretching, sucking and swallowing – all practice for when they make their dramatic debut.

Photo: Fetus at week 15 of development

About Mom

Looking more pregnant, Mom-to-be? That’s because your uterus is now positioned between your belly button and pubic bone. As your baby grows, your internal organs shift to make room, which may lead to gas and heartburn.

Developing pregnancy brain (aka brain fog)? It’s a common complaint during pregnancy – and it’s a real thing! A 2016 study published in the journal Nature found looking at MRI scans, that there was a specific pattern of gray matter (brain cells) changes in women who were pregnant. And guess what? Those changes lasted two years after the women delivered their babies.

Now that we’ve determined your brain fog is not in your head, what can you do about it? Here are five ways to deal with pregnancy brain and keep the fog at bay (at least a little)!

As you get bigger, your center of gravity changes. Take extra care when walking or climbing stairs. This may be a good time to think about wearing flats or slip-on shoes instead of high heels (you are welcome). You may also notice that you’re retaining water now. This may cause your legs, ankles or fingers to swell a bit. If it gets bad, be sure to talk to your doctor. 

Stuffy nose? While it sounds strange, this is a common pregnancy symptom due to those hormones and increased blood flow. It even has a name: rhinitis of pregnancy. Some women may also suffer from nosebleeds during pregnancy.

Are you having an amniocentesis? If so, that test is often performed between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. Amniocentesis is a test performed to determine chromosomal and genetic disorders and certain birth defects. The test involves inserting a needle through the abdomen and uterine wall into the amniotic sac to remove a sampling of amniotic fluid for analyzing.

First Movements

Flutters. Butterflies. Tickles. Whatever you call it (doctors call it "quickening"), when you feel your baby move inside you for the first time, it's something most moms-to-be never forget. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel Baby move until closer to 25 weeks, but by the second pregnancy, some feel movements as early as 13 weeks. But remember, every pregnancy is different. How does it feel?

• "Thinking it would be weeks before I felt those ‘flutters,’ I was completely taken off guard when I felt my first one. To me, it felt like when I swing too high on a swing set. Tickly. Made me grin ear to ear and place that protective hand over my belly. A joyous moment."

• "M-A-G-I-C. My husband and mom were with me, and when I jumped and put my hand on my tummy, they both ran over to me overjoyed and wanted to share in my moment. I was more than happy to oblige. Again, it was magic."

• "With my firstborn at 14 weeks I felt what felt like buzzing bees. It took me two days to realize what it was. I was so happy when I realized what it was. Overwhelmed with joy and felt like it was such a miracle. With my daughter my placenta was on the front, so I didn't feel anything till 18 weeks and it was a real kick. I was amazed it was so different from my first."

Here are more descriptions from moms when they felt their baby move for the first time!

Bump Talk

“Pregnancy is getting company inside one’s skin.” – Maggie Scarf

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