Week 15
Second Trimester

What happens to me?

Your heart is slightly enlarged with your pregnancy and has increased its output to supply the baby with oxygen. It is pumping about 20% more blood than before you became pregnant. This volume will increase to 30-50% by the end of your pregnancy.

It is also still a little early to feel movement, but this will change in the next few weeks.

How much will I be showing?

It may be time to purchase some maternity clothes or at least start to wear looser pants and tops. Some women can make it to their seventh month without wearing real maternity clothes, but you need to be the judge of your own comfort. You may be starting to show a little more and concealing your pregnancy may be getting more difficult.

What happens to baby?

The baby may have developed the habit of sucking their thumb by now. Their skin is very thin, and blood vessels can be seen underneath. Also, the scalp hair pattern is developing. The heart is pumping about 25 quarts of blood a day, which will increase to about 300 quarts by delivery time.

The body is now growing faster than the head. This week, its parchment-thin skin covers itself with ultra-fine hair that usually disappears before birth. Though eyebrows are beginning to grow and the hair atop the head is sprouting, this hair may change in both texture and color after birth. About now, the baby can grasp, squint, frown, and grimace. The baby may be able to suck its thumb and researchers believe these and other movements probably correspond to the development of impulses in the brain.

How big is the baby?

The baby is between 4 and 4 1/2 inches long (about the size of softball) and weighs 1 3/4 ounces.

Tip of the Week

Let the doctor, dentist or radiologist know you are pregnant before getting X-Rays, CT Scans or MRI’s so that extra precautions are taken to protect you and the baby.

Want to figure out your due date? Click Here

Just found out you're pregnant? Don't forget to check out the previous Weeks!

Pregnancy Calendar Disclaimer