Baby is the size of a apple
👶 Baby's development
Fine hair (lanugo) covers the body. The baby reacts to light placed against your belly.
💛 How mom feels
Possible nasal congestion (hormonal rhinitis). Belly skin may itch as it stretches.
📖 Tip of the week
The skeleton is actively forming — bones are hardening, replacing cartilage. Fine hair (lanugo) appears all over the body to help retain heat. Increase your calcium intake: dairy, broccoli, and almonds are great sources.
🔬 Detailed baby development
- The fetus is developing its sense of hearing — the inner ear bones (ossicles) are hardening
- The legs are now longer than the arms, and overall body proportions are becoming more normal
- The fetus is actively moving: kicking, flexing, and turning, though mom usually cannot feel it yet
- Thin, translucent skin allows blood vessels to be visible underneath
- The fetus may begin hiccupping as it practices breathing movements
- The fetus is about 10 cm long and weighs approximately 70 grams, roughly the size of an apple
🤱 What mom may feel
- A growing bump becomes more noticeable, especially for second-time mothers
- Increased appetite and possible weight gain acceleration
- Nosebleeds and bleeding gums due to increased blood volume and sensitivity
- Occasional dizziness when standing up too quickly (postural hypotension)
- Improved skin appearance for some women (the 'pregnancy glow' from increased blood flow)
🏥 Tests and check-ups
The quad screen blood test can be drawn between weeks 15-20 (optimal at 16-18 weeks). If first-trimester screening was done, the sequential or integrated screen combines those results with this blood draw for improved accuracy. Your regular prenatal visit will include blood pressure monitoring, urine testing, and fundal height measurement.
💡 Tips for this week
- Sleep on your side, preferably the left side, to optimize blood flow to the placenta
- Use a pregnancy pillow or regular pillows between your knees for comfortable sleep
- Stay active with moderate exercise like walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga at least 30 minutes most days
- If you have nosebleeds, use a humidifier and apply saline nasal gel to keep nasal passages moist
❓ Frequently asked questions
When will I feel the baby move?
First-time mothers typically feel movement (quickening) between 18-22 weeks. Experienced mothers may feel it as early as 16 weeks. Early movements feel like fluttering, bubbles, or light tapping.
Why are my gums bleeding when I brush?
Pregnancy gingivitis affects up to 75% of pregnant women due to increased blood flow and hormonal changes that make gums more sensitive. Maintain good oral hygiene, use a soft toothbrush, and see your dentist for a cleaning.
Is it safe to sleep on my back?
After 20 weeks, sleeping on your back can compress the inferior vena cava, reducing blood flow. Start practicing side sleeping now. If you wake up on your back, simply roll to your side — brief periods are not harmful.
📝 Week 15 of pregnancy: what's happening
Your baby is now around 10 cm in length and weighs approximately 70 g — about the size of an apple. The skeletal system is continuing to develop rapidly, with cartilage slowly being replaced by bone in a process called ossification. Your baby’s ears have moved to their final position on the sides of the head, and the eyes, though still fused shut, are sensitive to light. Fine hair called lanugo is beginning to cover the body, helping to regulate your baby’s temperature in the womb.
You may notice your waistline continuing to expand as your uterus grows upward out of the pelvis. Some women begin to experience nasal congestion or nosebleeds due to increased blood volume and the effect of pregnancy hormones on mucous membranes — this is entirely normal. Your skin may be changing too; some women notice a darkening of the skin around the nipples and the appearance of the linea nigra, a dark vertical line running down the abdomen. Breast tenderness may persist, and your breasts may continue to grow in preparation for breastfeeding.
This is a good time to think about whether you would like to have any additional screening tests such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) if you haven’t already done so and have been offered them. Your midwife can discuss the risks and benefits in detail. If you are Rhesus negative, you will be offered an anti-D injection later in pregnancy; your blood group should have been determined at your booking appointment. Begin thinking about your preferences for the anomaly scan and any questions you wish to ask.
Aim to eat regular small meals to keep energy levels stable and minimise heartburn, which can begin to develop as pregnancy progresses. Foods rich in vitamin C help the body absorb iron from plant-based sources, so pair leafy greens with citrus juice or tomatoes. If you are vegetarian or vegan, speak to your midwife about ensuring adequate intake of iron, vitamin B12, and calcium. Light stretching exercises can help with round ligament pain, and a warm bath can be soothing for aching muscles — avoid very hot baths which can raise your core temperature excessively.
⚠️ When to see a doctor
- Vaginal bleeding of any amount
- Severe headache or vision changes
- Severe abdominal or lower back pain
- Swelling of face and hands (possible preeclampsia)
- Decreased or absent fetal movement after 20 weeks
- Blood pressure above 140/90
Sources
- WHO recommendations on antenatal care (2016)
- ACOG Practice Bulletins
- Williams Obstetrics, 26th Edition
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