15 weeks pregnant

What to expect this week

What's happening in week 15

Week 15 and your life is now probably totally baby-centric!

Your baby at week 15

Your baby is now in proportion size wise, with their body having caught up with their head in terms of growth. They will now be around 11.5cm long, around the size of an orange and growing quickly!

They have also started to grow a layer of fine downy hair called lanugo. This fine hair keeps them warm until they develop the layer of subcutaneous fat that will keep them warm once they’re born.

Although their eyelids are still fused shut, your baby can recognise light and if you were to shine a light on your belly the baby might move away from it.

They will also be developing their sucking, gasping and swallowing skills and have such sophisticated taste buds that if they had conscious thought, they’d be able to recognise flavours!

By week 15 they can also hear your voice now, so be sure to chat and sing to them often (like you aren't already!).

You at 15 weeks pregnant

You might be noticing some more changes in your body around this stage of your pregnancy – one of them might be the appearance of a dark line running down your bump. Its medical term is 'linea nigra' and it is something some women develop during pregnancy. It's absolutely nothing to worry about and will fade after your baby is born.
You might be finding your bump is making itself known more now and you are having to adapt your sleeping, sitting and even driving position to accommodate it!
In the car, ensure your seatbelt is positioned so that the lap part is under and not across your bump, with the upper part going over the top of your belly and between your breasts. If you can adjust your steering wheel you might need to at this point, too – this is particularly important if you have an airbag fitted – try and position your seat as far away from the dashboard or steering wheel as your can, while still being able to safely and comfortably drive.

What to think about in week 15

It might still be early days, but you could already be thinking about the type of birth you might like to aim for with your baby. Now is the ideal time to do your research and arm yourself with lots of information.

• Do you have midwife-led birthing centres in your local area, or is the maternity unit part of your main hospital? 
• Would you like to think about a home birth or water birth?
• What were your friends' experiences of labour and birth like in your local hospital?
• Is there anything based on the info you've already gleaned from them that you'd like to discuss with your midwife? 

It's never too early to find out what your options are!