Pregnancy week by week · trimester 2
🍎 15 weeks pregnant: your baby is about the size of an apple
At 15 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of an apple, hearing structures are developing and bones are getting stronger.
Your baby this week
Your baby is now about the size of an apple, a little over 10cm long. The tiny bones of the inner ear are forming, which will soon let your baby begin to pick up sounds. Bones throughout the body are getting stronger and showing up more clearly on scans. Eyebrows and hair on the head may begin to grow. Your baby is moving freely, turning, stretching and kicking, with lots of space to do it, though most mums will not feel it yet.
You this week
You might feel brighter this week, with more energy and a healthier appetite. Some mums notice swollen or bleeding gums when brushing, because pregnancy hormones make gums more sensitive. Your heart is pumping more blood, so you might feel warmer and a little short of breath at times. A stuffy nose and occasional headaches can carry on. If your bump is growing, it may be time to find comfortable clothes.
Kind things to do this week
- Book a dental check up; NHS dental care is free during pregnancy and for 12 months after.
- Keep up gentle exercise you enjoy, like walking, swimming or pregnancy yoga.
- Ask about your maternity exemption certificate for free prescriptions.
Appointments around now
Your next routine antenatal appointment is usually around 16 weeks.
Questions to ask your midwife
- How do I get my maternity exemption certificate?
- When can I have my whooping cough vaccine?
When to call your midwife or maternity unit
Contact your midwife or maternity unit if you have any bleeding, tummy pain that does not settle, or fluid leaking from your vagina. They would always rather hear from you.
OBubba from bump to baby
Follow your pregnancy week by week, free.
OBubba is free through pregnancy, with a weekly update, kick counting and contraction timing. On the day your baby arrives, the same app becomes your baby tracker.
Questions
Why are my gums bleeding in pregnancy?
Hormones can make gums swollen and more likely to bleed. Brush gently twice a day and see a dentist, which is free on the NHS while you are pregnant.
Can I feel my baby move at 15 weeks?
Most mums do not feel movement yet. First flutters are usually felt between 16 and 24 weeks, often later in a first pregnancy.
Not sure how far along you are? Use the due date calculator.
Sources
OBubba gives general information. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Your midwife and maternity unit are always the right people to ask, any time of day or night.