You should be starting to enjoy the perks of pregnancy week fifteen. You should be feeling stronger and mentally rested too. The second trimester is the most calming of the entire pregnancy. The first trimester leaves you will morning sickness and fatigue and the as the baby grows bigger the body will start to feel aches and pains. The second trimester offers a middle ground. You will start to expand your baby bump and now is the time that others will see you are pregnant and it not just weight gain.

You should have gained approximately 5 pounds by now. If you have gained more, don’t worry. If you start gaining too much the doctor will let you know. If you are not gaining enough, the doctor will advise you on what you need to do if anything to help maintain your weight during the pregnancy. You may experience more head colds or stuffiness this will have something to do with the increased estrogen levels, this can actually cause swelling of the mucus membrane causing these nasal problems.

Pregnancy tends to change your immune system a bit. You are more likely to get infections, colds and even the flu. It is highly recommended that pregnant women receive their flu shots. Talk to your doctor at the beginning of cold season and get the shots right away. Try keeping a humidifier or a vaporizer near by and remember to stay hydrated.

Baby’s Development

At week fifteen the baby will measure in approximately 4” long and about 1-.3/4 ounces. The baby will develop what is called Lanugo, this happens when the red and wrinkles head becomes covered with fine hairs. Like each pregnancy is different, each baby develops differently in the uterus. The hair will help the baby maintain a constant body temperature. But the Lanugo will disappear when the baby is born.

By now the baby can swallow food and one of the best parts is that the baby can hear you and hear sounds. So now would be a great time to start talking to the baby. Some new moms will place headphones on their belly so the baby can hear music. Some new moms at this stage may or may not be able to feel their babies move around but the baby’s are more active in the womb now.

The baby’s legs are longer than the arms but now the body is longer than the head. The taste buds are developing and the fingernails and toenails are growing as well. The three bones in the middle ear are harder making improvements in the hearing. The amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby also carries an external sounds that travel to the baby. They can hear prominent sounds like the mother’s heartbeat, stomach and even her voice.

Changes With Your Body

Weight gain is always a concern with pregnant women. By this week in pregnancy women gain an approximately 5 pounds. You may have gained more than that. But is nothing to worry about if you are a pound or two over. At the end of the pregnancy an average between 25 to 35 pounds are usually gained but you hear stories of women who have gained 40, 50 or even 60 pounds. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about weight gain.

You can actually feel the top of your uterus about four to five inches below the belly. The doctor will start measuring your belly at the appointments until the end of your pregnancy. This is called the Fundal Height, this is used to measure and monitor the baby’s growth and even the position of the baby. The doctor can get an idea if the baby is in the breech position, as you get further along.

You may start to feel the ligaments stretching in your abs. The uterus will expand and cause cramps. You may feel some twitches or a pulling sensation to one or both sides of the abdomen. This is normal but it is your body and your pregnancy and if you have the slightest concern call your doctor right away. Taking a warm bath can help alleviate the pains. Never take any over the counter or prescription medication without consulting with your doctor first.

You will want to be careful of some common bacterial infections that many women come down with during pregnancy. Urinary Tract infections, Bacterial Vaginosis and Yeast Infections. Urinary Tract and Yeast Infections are common to some women without being pregnant. Buy bacterial Vaginosis can cause pre term delivery and a rupture to the amniotic membrane that surround the baby. Tract and Yeast Infections can cause kidney infections if they are not taken care of. Visit your doctor right away if you think you could have any of these infections. They can be treated, never take any over the counter medication before talking to your doctor.

To prevent these infections wear clean clothes every day and wear loose fitting clothes. Try not to spend too much time in bodies of water including the swimming pool or the bathtub avoid hot tubs altogether. Stay away from perfumes and body sprays. Stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 to 9 glasses of fluids a day.

What to Expect

While every one is different, may you start to experience sleeping problems? As the pregnancy goes along you may have a hard time getting comfortable. Your baby bump is still small at this stage of the pregnancy so you may not have any problems right now sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your back can cause the uterus to put pressure on the heart and the inferior vena cava this supplies the blood to the baby and the lower portion of your body. Sleeping on your side may avoid that. It is a good idea to practice sleeping on your side right from the start. It will be better off for the baby. Try adding extra pillows to elevate your legs or sleep with a pillow between your knees, it sounds crazy but it actually does work.

Tips/Advice

You should be attending all of your doctor’s appointments and listening to all of the doctors’ recommendations. Continue taking your vitamins and try to eat a bit healthier. There are plenty of books out there and websites that you can check out when it comes to eating right. Now that you have entered into your second trimester, you can start to look for baby names without worrying. Relax and have fun, you only get 9 months to enjoy the pregnancy.