Pregnancy Week 15
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Inside Pregnancy Week 15
Baby’s appearance continues to refine and is looking more and more like the adorable baby we imagine. For one thing, the legs are now longer than the arms, and the body is longer than the head. The eyes and ears are getting close to their final position at this point in the pregnancy. The eyebrows are becoming visible, and hair is sprouting atop the head. The ears are also developing inside, with the three tiny bones of the inner ear functional, however, the auditory sections of the brain are not yet prepared to process sounds, so baby cannot determine or understand sounds that are audible yet. The bones are hardening still, but have progressed to the point that they are visible now on x-rays. The baby is the size of an orange, being close to 4 inches long and weighing around 2 ½ ounces.
Pregnancy Symptoms You May Feel During Week 15
As you enter the second trimester, your total weight gain is most likely around the five pound mark. Don’t worry if it’s less, there aren’t hard rules about it, and every pregnancy is different. Your uterus has probably reached 4-5 inches below your navel. When at doctor’s visit, you will have your uterus’ level checked. If it measures higher than expected, it could indicate a breech presentation. Measuring smaller could indicate a transverse position.
An annoying symptom you might be dealing with is nasal congestion. Try saline nasal spray or applying petroleum jelly beneath the nostrils. Running a humidifier may be helpful, or you can try nasal strips. If you continue to have trouble with it, talk to your doctor about whether there are over the counter medications that are safe to take while pregnant.
Visit With the Obstetrician
One topic every pregnant woman needs to know about is preterm labor. Talk to your doctor about the risk factors for preterm labor, and the symptoms. Some of the risk factors include being pregnant with multiples, giving birth prematurely in previous pregnancies, abnormalities of the uterus or cervix, infections, unexplained vaginal bleeding after week 20, chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, kidney disease or diabetes. Other risks include no prenatal care, lower income, long working hours with lots of standing, closely timed pregnancies between less than 6-9 months apart, being over or underweight, and pregnant as a result of IVF. Other factors would include alcohol, smoking or illegal drugs.
The symptoms of preterm labor include a watery fluid leaking from your vagina, menstrual like cramps, low dull backache, pelvic pressure, significant change in or increase in vaginal discharge.
When speaking to the doctor, find out what symptoms warrant an immediate call to the office, when you should go directly to hospital, and when you need to wait.
Preparing for Baby
Do you have another baby in the house to prepare for the new baby? A cat or dog is often considered one of the family, but the transitions involved in bringing home a baby can become more difficult with pets in the home. First of all, make certain the pet will not be able to get to baby’s room, and never allow pet access the child without your constant presence and supervision. Gates used in baby proofing often work for pets too. Some people opt for a screendoor at the nursery entrance to allow viewing without access to the pet. Let the pet get used to the sounds of a baby in the house, the smells, and let them warm up slowly. Be consistent with the rules you’ll need in place once baby arrives. Don’t allow the pets to jump up on the lap now, if you’ll correct them later for it. Make sure your pets have been examined by vet and up to date with all shots.
Pregnancy Lifestyle
Now is a good time to start streamlining your beauty routine. First step, choosing a good hairstyle that is both flattering on you, and easy to maintain. Go to the beauty salon and check out the books, looking for styles you think might work and talk to the stylist about suggestions for a simple easy look that lets you avoid feeling frumpy. It won’t be good in the long run to have an easy style if you feel unattractive wearing your hair that way. Just keep in mind your hair texture may change through pregnancy somewhat, and again post-baby.
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I am 15 weeks pregnant with my first child & have been having alot of back pain. don't know if this is normal, if i'm just sleeping on it wrong or what? any suggestions would be appreciated!
I am 15weeks pregnant and wow i have been under so much stress. i just hope everythings ok with my baby and my comfort level has been not ok.
Just out recently and not offered by every doctor instead of cvs or amnio is a blood test that is 99% accurate called maternit21. ask your doctor about it, push for it. i did and i got it. i was scheduled for a cvs and was worried about miscarrying. this test is non-invasive and 99%!!!! spread the word!
Hi, i have read a few messages on here about people having babies when a close family member has lost theirs or can't conceive. i had an abortion last year mainly because i couldn't bear to tell my partners brother and sister in law as they are going through ivf. they don't know and its hurting me so much. i made a mistake and should have been more courageous. just wondering if anyone else has been through the same thing.
Congratulations to all of you. i am 29 yrs old and currently 15 weeks pregnant also. i have 2 other children 7&5 and i feel the pressing need to suggest to all of you to really do your home work on conventional prenatal and post natal care, from experience.. i wish i had done so before i had my first two. do not take your doctor's word for it, find out for yourself and then bring up any concerns to your doctor. for starters i would watch the documentary called "the business of being born" and read a book called "the sanctity of human blood" written by a doctor on vaccines. god bless you all and my prayers are with you for a successful and healthy delivery :d
I am 15 weeks pregnant and went to see my obgyn yesterday. i was told i had the option to have my baby tested for things such as down syndrome through regular bloodwork. upon signing the paper my husband asked the nurse where we could get an abortion if the baby did have one of the diseases. i freaked out and decided i didn't want the test after all. my husband and i argued about how we would handle a child with such problems and i told him if he didn't approve of my decision he could leave and i would care for my child myself. my dr told me that the only way i needed to really be concerned is if i was in my late 30s early 40s. that gave me some relief but i still opted not to have the test done and my advice to people in this situation is, dont strees until you completely discuss your concerns with your dr. best of luck to all of you and remember, your dr is your friend when you have concerns.
Arica- i had a stillbirth on june 3, 2009. my sister and i were pregnant at the same time. she felt so guilty because i lost my baby and she didn't. i can tell you first hand that although it was the hardest thing i ever had to go through, i would never resent my sister or her baby. i was very sad but at the same time was very happy for her. i wouldn't worry about that - although they are going through a hard time right now, i'm sure they love you and will love your baby also. just be cautious with your words around them because everyone is different with how they handle things, and i'm sure they will come around when they have healed a little. i wish them and you my best.
I'm 20 an pregnant with my first child and i'm 15 weeks one day as of today an my due date is july 18 i cant wait to find out what me an my honey are having :) we're so excited! i will know when my 2nd ultrasound is next monday when i see my obgyn and he schedules it and then we will know the sex at that appointment!!
Arica - my daugher sophia was stillborn due to a dvt (clot) in the cord back on 8/4/2009. it is a heart breaking life changing situation. all you can say to your brother and sister-in-law is "i am sorry for your loss"...nothing more. i got so many idiotic words from friends and family like it was meant to be, you can always have another or just ignoring the fact that she existed. i miss her so much and i am forever changes. she took a large part of me with her to heaven. i like to think that i was blessed to hold her every moment of her life - you may want to share that with your sil. i am now pregnant with my 3rd daughter (15 weeks) and have so many mixed emotions. i wish you and your family a peaceful recovery. time is the only measure of healing.
My brother and sister-in-law had a still born baby girl on monday december 28, 2009.it was their first. my husband and i are expecting our third in june and i am so devestated by all of this, i don't know what to do. does anyone have any experience in these types of things. my family has always been so close and i am afriad they are going to resent us and this baby.
In two days i find out the sex of my baby! i will be 15w 2d, i am exicted!
To dana, when i was pregnant with my daughter they told me the same thing and she came out fine. my friend who is pregnant they also told her that because the baby was bigger then the due date. so dont worry to much ok, i know that sounds hard but pray and it shall be ok.
I have just found out that i need to take a cvs test as my baby has a 1 in 104 chance of having down syndrome i am very very scared because i don't know what the test results will be and the blood work and ultrasound are wrong a lot. right now i am 13w 6d i have my csv on friday which would make me 14w 4d and the cut of for cvs is 15w im so scared i might lose my baby =(
They usually wait until about 20 weeks i believe. however, i had an ultrasound a couple of days shy of 15 weeks, and it was already apparent we are having a boy!
I am also 15 weeks and i will be finding out what im having when im 18 weeks just ask your doctor when you will be able to find out maybe he will speed it up a lil if he/she is just trying to put it off
I am currently 15 weeks pregnant, i was curious as to when you usually find out the sex of the baby? i know the genitals are fully developed but how long before they can spot them in an ultrasound?
I have a friend whose baby was born with the same condition. they operated and he is perfectly healthy!
Kimberly, my prayers are with you...hang in there. i am sure you will be okay.
I reasently found out my baby has gastroschisis,which is when the intestines is outside its belly.and im high risk but im still praying to god that we will be ok.
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Congrads to all mothers. i am almost 15 weeks with my first child and i don't have an appetiate. please advice cause i am worried that this is going to affect my baby
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