Pregnancy Calendar Week 15

By pregnancy calendar week 15, your baby’s bones are starting to ossify. They are now hard enough that you would be able to see your baby’s skeleton in an x-ray. However, your baby’s skin is still very transparent and thin.

Your baby is continuing to grow hair on his/her eyebrows and head. If he/she will be born with dark hair, the hair follicles are beginning to manufacture the necessary pigment.

By pregnancy calender week 15, your baby’s heart is pumping approximately 25 quarts of blood per day. By the time he/she is born, the heart will pump over 300 quarts per day.

Common physical systems during the fifteenth week of pregnancy include an increase in appetite, mild swelling of the ankles or feet, and bleeding gums. You may also notice a slight whitish vaginal discharge.

By pregnancy calendar week 15, your uterus is between three and four inches under your navel. At your prenatal appointments, your doctor will now begin measuring your fundus, or the distance between the top of your pubic bone and the top of your uterus. Fundal height measurements are used to chart your baby’s growth and determine his/her position.

During the fifteenth week of pregnancy, your doctor may offer the Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP). This is a blood screening that checks for neural tube defects such as spina bifida, anencephaly, and Down syndrome. However, a positive result doesn’t automatically mean there is a problem. The AFP test has a high false positive rate, so your doctor will most likely order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.

At this time in your pregnancy, you may begin to have trouble sleeping. Your growing abdomen and feelings of anxiety over your baby’s impending arrival may make it seem impossible to get the rest you need. Pregnant women should generally avoid over-the-counter drugs and herbal sleep remedies, since the safety of these products has not been verified. However, there are other steps you can take to ensure a good night’s sleep.

Many pregnant women find that it’s simply hard to unwind at the end of a hectic day. If you’re having trouble falling asleep because your mind is elsewhere, relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or Pregnancy Yoga may help. You can also try getting a quick Pregnancy Massage from your partner.

During pregnancy, it’s best to sleep on your side. Sleeping on your stomach places extra pressure on your uterus. Sleeping on your back restricts blood flow to your baby and makes it more difficult to breathe properly. However, if you’re not accustomed to sleeping on your side, it can be a challenge to get comfortable in this new position. Many women find that using a maternity pillow can help. These specially-designed pillows support your abdomen and lower back. They are available in a variety of prices and sizes. Some models can even double as nursing pillows once your baby arrives.

If you are experiencing unpleasant dreams or waking up in the middle of the night with full-body sweats, low blood sugar could be the culprit. Eating a high-protein snack such as a few tablespoons of peanut butter on wheat crackers, a slice of turkey on bread, or a hard-boiled egg shortly before bedtime may relieve your symptoms.

• Winter Maternity Clothing
• Maternity Polo Shirts
• Summer Maternity Fashion
• Gender Selection and Conception
• Conception Myths

• How Soon Can I Take a Pregnancy Test
• Natural Ways to Induce Labor
• How to Conceive a Boy
• How to Conceive a Girl
• Early Pregnancy Symptoms

• Pregnancy Calendar Week 16
• Pregnancy Calendar Week 36
• Pregnancy Calendar Week 9
• Pregnancy Calendar Week 29
• Pregnancy Calendar Week 24