15 weeks pregnant: what month is it and what can an ultrasound reveal ? What happens to the uterus and the size of the abdomen in 15 weeks ? Is the baby's gender clear at this stage? What might 15 weeks look like in a twin pregnancy?
If you take into account the symptoms, the fifteenth week of pregnancy, and with a bit of luck the greater part of the second trimester, may turn out to be quite tolerable for the expectant mother, although it is worth remembering that each organism behaves differently. It is a bit more difficult during a twin pregnancy, but regardless of the size of the abdomen and accompanying ailments, most women would like to feel the baby's movements in them at the 15th week in order to know where they are and to make sure that everything is fine.
15th week of pregnancy: if and what kind of ultrasound?
In the 15th week of pregnancy, ultrasound is not a routine diagnostic procedure. In a situation where the patient missed the obligatory examination scheduled between 11,0 and 13,6 weeks (semester I ultrasound, also known as prenatal or genetic), an ultrasound examination with the assessment of the anatomy of the fetus may be recommended. It will allow you to check if the fetus is developing properly, and also to see what the baby looks like and watch its movements.
In the 15th week of pregnancy, however, it is no longer possible to estimate the risk of the most common genetic defects based on the result of the PAPP-A test (i.e. the measurement of the concentration of PAPP-A in the blood of the expectant mother). If the patient has not had an ultrasound so far, the doctor during this examination also confirms the real age of pregnancy, which before the ultrasound was determined on the basis of the date of the last menstruation. Such confirmation is especially important in the case of women suffering from PCOS or menstruating irregularly.
At 15 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus measures over 16 cm and weighs approximately 117 g. All organs and systems have already begun working to prepare the body for independent functioning. A 3D ultrasound allows you to see its face in full detail, while a 4D ultrasound allows you to record a video that also shows the baby's movements.
15nd trimester and XNUMXth week of pregnancy: which month is it?
The second trimester has recently started - the 15th week of pregnancy is the continuation of the fourth month. The middle stage of pregnancy for many women is a respite between the difficult beginning and the exhausting end of waiting for a baby. Regardless of the state of health and symptoms, most mothers want to know what their baby looks like at 15 weeks of pregnancy, and especially to feel, and not just see on ultrasound, its movements. Although some sources mention this possibility, the size of the uterus in relation to the fetus and the way it moves, in most cases it is too early for a woman to feel the baby's movements in her belly at 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Although it is not perceptible to the mother, the fetus moves very often during this time, incl. trains swallowing and sucking reflexes, and can also clench fists.
Fifteenth week of pregnancy: possible symptoms
The biggest downsides of the fifteenth week of pregnancy can be lower abdominal problems : constipation and pain. The growing uterus in the 15th week of pregnancy puts pressure on the organs and puts strain on the spine. In turn, increased appetite and dietary changes, exacerbated by pregnancy cravings, often cause constipation or bloating . Furthermore, intestinal peristalsis can slow down during this time due to hormonal changes during pregnancy.
Many mothers-to-be stop complaining about nausea at this stage. However, a twin pregnancy at 15 weeks can still cause them, and in some women such discomfort may persist until delivery. There is also dizziness related to low blood pressure and the outflow of blood to the uterus and placenta.
Dental problems, and even painful and bleeding gums , are common at this stage – a natural result of hormonal changes. Gums are swollen, as are the lining of the nose. Therefore, some women may experience nosebleeds at 15 weeks pregnant. If they occur occasionally, there's probably no cause for concern.
Belly size at 15 weeks of pregnancy: can you see or not?
There's no rule or formula for determining the size of the belly at 15 weeks of pregnancy . Expectant mothers can certainly feel it, but it's often still invisible from the outside. Belly size changes more quickly in women who have given birth or are pregnant with twins. Week 15 is when tighter, less stretchy clothes may no longer fit – especially around the expectant mother's torso.
The uterus at 15 weeks is comparable in size to a melon. The baby is located below the navel, so the skin of the abdomen there is becoming increasingly firm. The uterus has been moving upward in recent weeks to provide the baby with enough space. This reduces pressure on the bladder, which is why urination frequency decreases in the 15th week of pregnancy.
Women who are pregnant in twins tend to complain of more pronounced symptoms as their uterus is heavier in their 15th week of pregnancy and puts more pressure on other organs.
15 weeks pregnant: baby's gender becomes apparent
Without additional testing (such as free DNA analysis from the mother's blood), determining a baby's gender before 15 weeks of pregnancy is more of a guess than a certainty. In some cases, the ultrasound doctor can determine the gender quite quickly, but sometimes this isn't possible. The 15th week is when the fetus's size should make this easier, but much depends on the baby's position at 15 weeks and the exact position it assumes during the scan. Even if expectant parents opt for a 3D or 4D ultrasound, it's possible that the fetus's back will be turned, making it impossible to determine its gender.
What tests are recommended in the 15th week of pregnancy?
The following tests may be recommended by your doctor at this time:
- blood test for anti-Rh antibodies,
- HBs test - the presence of HBs antigen in the blood indicates HBV infection and the risk of developing hepatitis B,
- uterine fundus height examination - palpation assessment of the location of the uterus in the abdominal cavity,
- blood count, possibly urine test,
- gynecological examination.
As for other recommendations, not every woman realizes that due to the size of her belly at 15 weeks, she should no longer carry heavy objects or overexert herself . It's worth starting to wean herself from sleeping on her stomach – the best position for the baby will be on her back or left side.
Consultation:
Ph.D. n. med. prof. IMID Tadeusz Issat - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Institute of Mother and Child;
Maria Krowicka-Wasyl – resident physician during specialization in gynecology and obstetrics, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Institute of Mother and Child.
Źródła:
Fetal Size and Dating: Charts Recommended for Clinical Obstetric Practice, ULTRASOUND, August 2009, Volume 17, No. 3
Estimating Fetal Gestational Age, Radiology Key
Fetal Development, Perinatology.com
