Start Doing Pelvic Floor Exercises
It’s a good time to tone up those muscles ‘down under’. Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze, cough or jump around on your future baby’s trampoline. Get the muscles going by pretending that you’re having a wee and then stop the ‘urine’ in midflow. Visit Tommy’s for more ideas about pelvic floor exercises.
Weeks Pregnant: Heavy Feeling In Stomach
At 15 weeks pregnant you might already look quite pregnant. Its not uncommon for pregnant women to have a weight gain between five to 10 pounds by the second trimester. . If youre not showing, your abdomen might feel more bloated. Remember that every woman is various, and every pregnancy is different. Do not worry if you do not look too pregnant yet.
Your Emotional Changes This Week
- Feeling all Mother Earth? That’s not surprising. There’s something very grounding about the second trimester of pregnancy, when you’re awash with hormones and a sense of all being good with the world. Enjoy this special time when it seems that not much can phase you. Think about doing some yoga, massage, aqua aerobics or Tai Chi. Connecting with your inner Chakra is a heap of fun, even if you don t know what it looks like.
- You could find yourself preoccupied with peering at your tummy at all times of the day and night, looking for any increase in size. Sometimes you may be sure you’re looking bigger, though other times you might not. It really depends on what’s happening behind your uterus, not so much what’s inside it. If your bowel is distended with poo or gas, it will make your tummy stick out more.
- The thought of your due date being so far away can make this seem an endless time. Although you know there’s all this activity going on in your tummy, there’s still not much to see and no end in sight. Try to do something everyday which gives you pleasure and isn t work or baby related. You still have your personality and interests which need stimulation and can t be put on hold just because you are pregnant.
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Secretions At Fifteenth Weeks Pregnancy
You must consult your doctor if after the bleeding appeared brown or creamy discharge.
You will have to have a smear test on infections if:
What Is My Baby Doing At 15 Weeks In The Womb
Its quite busy in there, as your baby curls fingers and toes while kicking legs and waving arms.
Your baby is becoming sensitive to light, and is starting to hear muted sounds from outside his watery world.
Respiratory type movements in your babys chest can be detected now.
Your baby is moving about half a liter of amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs every day, and excreting about the same amount of urine.
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Ause Miscarriage At 15 Weeks
Spontaneous abortion is caused by different reasons.
Here are the main ones:
- Induced abortion
- Infectious inflammatory disease
- Hormonal disorders.
Spontaneous abortion at the 15th week can be dangerous for a womans life. The open cervix allows pathogenic germs to pass through and cause inflammatory diseases. A miscarriage at the 15th week is similar to a natural childbirth. A woman experiences severe abdominal pain, which leads to a cramp-like pain in the lower abdomen, which is caused by the uterine contractions. The cervix effaces, opens up and the waters break the fetus comes out with the water. A uterine bleeding during the spontaneous abortion at this period of pregnancy is usually minor.
Correct And Healthy Eating
Proper nutrition during pregnancy plays a very important role for both the woman and the baby. Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are essential for the proper development of the fetus. A varied diet is needed during pregnancy. The pregnant womans diet must include fruits, vegetables, dairy products and cereals, eggs and meat, of course.
Fats of vegetable origin rich in the vitamin E are very useful for strengthening the placenta. Buy vegetable oils, and get a habit of adding them to your meal. Seeds and nuts are also good for your health. Protein is the most important substance you should eat plenty of it.
Meat dishes are very important in the diet of the pregnant woman. The pregnant should normally eat 200 grams of meat per day, alternating it with fish, for example every other day.
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What To Expect At 15 Weeks Pregnant Checklist
- Research and learn more about the type of delivery youd like.
- Schedule your amniocentesis, if youre having one.
- Talk to your baby and play music or audiobooks so they can hear.
Even though your bump is still small during week 15 of pregnancy, youre now in your second trimester and the baby has gotten much bigger. At 15 weeks pregnant, you have 23 to 25 weeks left to go not long now! Enjoy your second trimester and start preparing for the rest of your pregnancy. Your baby will be here soon!
Games And Activities To Keep Your Baby Engaged
Babies at this age observe a lot and learn from their surroundings. If youve been talking to your relatives and friends on the phone, your baby might look at you and try to converse with you as well. Try to get a toy telephone if you can and give it to him. Every time you do that, hold your hand over your ear as if you are talking to him, and carry out those long conversations. If your baby begins to respond, kudos! You will have a successful first fake telephone conversation with your child. Mostly, your little one will make gurgling sound or coo encourage him to do so as its the first step to communication.
Your baby may also look at bright objects. His eyes will track bright objects such as a shining torch or a reflection. To keep him occupied and entertain him, you can point a torch against a plain wall and make various shapes using your hands. Those when accompanied by other sounds will start registering in your babys brain. You can imitate the sounds of a dog and cat and make shapes of birds using your hands. This will help him later when you take him for a walk in the park. Your little one will recognize them instantly.
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When To Call The Doctor
Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms in the second trimester:
- unusual or severe cramping or abdominal pain
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath that is getting worse
- signs of premature labor
- vaginal spotting or bleeding
You routinely see your doctor once a month during this stage of pregnancy, so be sure to call if any unusual symptoms arise between visits.
Other Changes To Expect
Apart from the changes to your 15 weeks pregnant belly, there’re many other body changes to expect in this week. Knowing all the possible changes to expect can help you better prepared when something unexpected happen.
1. Mind and Pregnancy
Pregnancy can make you more forgetful and clumsy. Suddenly you don’t feel as sharp as you used to be before getting pregnant. This phenomenon is very commonly observed and is also termed as scatter brain or placenta brain. There is nothing to worry about as the brain regains its sharpness with time.
2. Shift in Center of Gravity
The growing 15 weeks pregnant belly affects the posture and shifts the bodys center of gravity. This can lead to difficulty in maintaining balance and make you a bit clumsy. But gradually you get used to it and start feeling normal again. It is best to wear flat and comfortable shoes, avoid wearing high heels and climbing stairs at a rapid pace to prevent falling.
3. Loose Joints
During pregnancy a hormone Relaxin is released in the body which makes the joints and ligaments lax and soft. The muscles also feel softer than before but these changes are just normal steps towards preparing your body for the birth. There is no need to worry about them.
4. Water Retention
Besides your 15 weeks pregnant belly getting bigger, the body also retains a lot of water during this stage of pregnancy, this can lead to swelling of feet and fingers. It is not harmful but can make gripping or holding things awkward.
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When Will I Start Showing
If youre pregnant and on baby-bump watch, know this: There are clues to help you figure out when you will start to show.
Theres a big difference between knowing youre pregnant and having that telltale baby bump show the world youre pregnant. Its not just about strangers offering you seats and smiles and you sporting a new maternity wardrobe its about finally having your outside reflect what you know inside. Your growing belly becomes your own personal billboard, shouting your news without you having to say a wordwhich may not be ideal for some women who would prefer to keep their bumps a secret from family, friends and co-workers for a little while longer. But for other women, the appearance of that teeny bump is a huge relief. So the big question is, When do most pregnant women start showing?
For most first-time moms, the baby bump usually arrives when theyre 14 to 16 weeks pregnant, but you might notice a change sooner. At 12 weeks, your growing uterus can no longer hide inside your pelvis behind your pubic bone, says Sherry Ross, an OB/GYN at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Instead, it starts to protrude into your abdomen.
As long as an ultrasound has determined that your baby is growing normally, there is absolutely nothing to worry about, says Ross. Despite her anxiety, Thomass baby boy was born perfectly healthy.
Bleeding Gums And Dental Care
Say cheese and take a good look in the mirror. You might notice that you have red, swollen gums and they may even be sore, sensitive or prone to bleeding when you brush or floss. It’s those pregnancy hormones at work again, this time triggering gingivitis, an infection and inflammation of the gums, by making them react differently to the bacteria in plaque.
Those hormones are also the cause behind a chronic stuffy nose or even nosebleeds. Look even more closely and you may notice a small lump on your gums, called a pregnancy tumor. Before you start worrying, keep in mind that these benign growths are scarily named but completely harmless and painless. If you do develop one, it should go away on its own after delivery.
What is a little more alarming is what can happen if you don’t take care of your teeth while you’re expecting. Gingivitis can progress to an infection of the bones and tissues supporting your teeth called periodontitis and research has shown a link between periodontitis, premature labor and preeclampsia.
Prevention is key: Good oral hygiene, which includes regular dental care, brushing at least twice a day and gentle flossing once a day, will greatly reduce gum swelling, bleeding and soreness.
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Is It Normal To Get Cramps At 15 Weeks Pregnant
Cramps happen because as your uterus expands during pregnancy, it puts pressure on nearby muscles and ligaments. During your second trimester, your round ligament muscle often cramps as it stretches. You feel it as a dull ache in your lower abdomen, but you may also feel sharp stabs of pain.
Can I Lay On My Back At 15 Weeks Pregnant
Between 15 and 20 weeks gestation, the uterus begins becoming big enough to intrude with blood float whilst you sleep on your again. It can compress the inferior vena cava , a large vein that runs up the right aspect of your vertebral column and carries deoxygenated blood from the lower and center frame to the heart.
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Abdominal Trauma: When To Use Extra Caution
In the following scenarios, consider the suggested precautions to protect your growing baby.
Heavy lifting
While not necessarily related to bumping the belly, patients often ask whether its safe to lift babies, groceries, and objects at work during pregnancy.
Heavy lifting and repetitive lifting motions have been associated with pregnancy loss, preterm birth, and maternal injury such as a pulled muscle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that women in certain professions are at increased risk, including: childcare providers health care workers law enforcement officers service workers and teachers.
You dont have to avoid all lifting, but you should follow the guidelines recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . Most non-high-risk patients can occasionally lift people or objects up to 36 lbs through approximately the 20th week of pregnancy. From week 21 on, occasional lifting should be capped at 26 lbs. If your job requires you to lift more than the recommended limits, talk your Ob/Gyn.
Women who lift routinely can lift people or objects up to 18 lbs through 20 weeks gestation and up to 13 lbs from 21 weeks to delivery. If you care for a child or adult who exceeds these weight limits and requires lifting, talk with your doctor. In-home resources are available to alleviate lifting duties during pregnancy.
Driving or riding in vehicles
Nesting
Working out
Factors That Affect When You Start Showing
1. Your weightHow much extra weight you carry will determine how easy it is to see your growing uterus. Women who are thin and have a body mass index of less than 25 will generally be able to see their pregnancies sooner than those with a BMI over 25.
Taller women tend to have longer midsections and disperse their pregnancy weight more than shorter women. If youre on the shorter side, theres less room up and down your body, so your uterus will protrude sooner.
3. Your abdominal strengthTighter abdominal muscles mean that theres more support and lift for your growing uterus. If your abs are stronger, they will literally hold your growing baby into your body more, which means that youll have a less noticeable baby bump. If your abs are weaker, your belly will probably pop sooner. Muscle strength isnt just about clocking crunches at the gym having an umbilical hernia or diastasis recti can also play a role.
4. The position of your uterusIf your uterus is in the posterior position, which means that its leaning backwards toward your spine, your bump may not be noticeable at the start of your second trimester. On the flip side, if your uterus is tilted forward toward your abdominal wall, you may show earlier. The only way to know the position of your uterus is to ask your obstetrician for a pelvic exam or an ultrasound.
Read more:
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Your 15 Weeks Pregnant Belly
When you touch your belly now, you might feel that the top of your uterus is now about four to five inches below your belly button.
Average total weight gain is about 5 pounds at the 15th week of pregnancy. If youve gained significantly more or less than this, dont freak out. But your doc may want to talk about it at your next appointment, since healthy weight gain is important to your and your babys health.
You may start to feel babys movements. Those first flutters appear a different times for different moms-to-be, but some say as early as 13 weeks to 16 weeks. Others may not be able to tell the difference between gas and baby kicks until about 17 weeks to 22 weeks.
Can Your Belly Size Reveal The Gender Of Your Unborn Baby
As per an old wives tale, the way a woman carries her baby can determine whether its a boy or girl. If its a boy, you will carry your baby low and the belly will be out in front. If its a girl, her weight will be more spread out in your waist and you will carry her high-up. But as mentioned, this is just an old wives tale it is not backed by science!
How you carry your baby during pregnancy cannot determine the sex of your baby. How you carry your baby will depend on how toned your abdominal muscles were before you got pregnant.
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Your Babys Development At 15 Weeks
Every week, your baby is becoming more like, well, a baby. At 15 weeks pregnant, you may not be able to feel it yet, but your baby is moving around in there. Heres more about your baby this week.
- Working joints: Your baby can move all their joints and is practicing moving around in there.
- Translucent skin: If you could see a picture of your baby, youd see that their skin is thin and see-through. Later on, theyll pack on some baby fat, which will make it more opaque.
- Seeing light: Your 15 week fetus is able to sense light, even though their teeny eyes are still closed. If someone shines a flashlight on your belly, your baby will probably move away from the beam.
Anything Else I Should Know
It is important that you continue to eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids to support your growing baby!
Maintaining healthy weight gain during pregnancy is a great way to decrease your risk of preventable pregnancy complications.
Remember you only need about 350 extra calories which is the equivalence of a small snack!
Also, in the next few weeks, your blood pressure might start to drop as your body has an increase in total blood volume.
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