
15 weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
15 weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Though your baby is planted deep inside you, this is the week where everything gets set up for his sense of smell. Read more about this week.
BABY DEVELOPMENT
His thorax – his chest, basically - begins to rise and fall. They are irregular movements for the moment. It may be through this mechanism that his olfactory system starts to “smell” your environment, driven by the aromatic molecules in the amniotic fluid. However, your baby won’t really perceive odours for real until the seventh month, when his nervous system is sufficiently mature.
YOUR BODY
At 15 weeks pregnant, you are in your 17th week of amenorrhea – absence of your menstrual period – which translates as your 15th week of pregnancy. Your baby should be making her appearance in about 24 weeks. You may be feeling wonderful, thrilled to be pregnant and full of energy. Conversely, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed, like your body is not your own. Both scenarios are totally normal. If the latter is true for you and you are also feeling a bit blue, talk to your doctor about it. She may have some solutions that can help you feel more yourself.
NUTRITION
Feeling a bit ‘clogged up’ at 15 weeks pregnant? There are things you can eat to relieve your constipation problems. Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. To remedy this, it is advisable to drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in fibre, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals (and the grains themselves!), and dried peas and beans. If the problem persists, try to include a small bowl of bran cereal in your breakfast every day. If you’re still not eliminating as you normally would, talk to your doctor.
TIPS
At 15 weeks pregnant, moderate physical activity during pregnancy is recommended for healthy women, and may help keep weight gain in check, aid in constipation.
Related articles

Your 8th Week of Pregnancy
Your baby is about the size of a grape. It now measures about 15mm. It is still very small and weighs a gram and a half.
3 mins to read

Tips to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy
Did you know? If you’re thinking about starting a family, making small changes to your diet and lifestyle now can have a big impact on your baby-to-be in the future.
3 mins to read

The Third Trimester
You are now officially in your third and final trimester - your baby is all about fast track development from here on out.
1 min to read

38-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Two more weeks! Yes, it’s true, you and your little one will soon be making each other’s acquaintance. Everything is pretty much in place. Read more about this week.
3 mins to read

Critical foods to help you get pregnant
Why are folic acid and iron essential vitamins to take prior to conception? In which foods will I find them? Should I eat them before I get pregnant?
3 mins to read

How to deal with morning sickness at the start of pregnancy
Morning sickness can strike at any time of day or night. Especially at the start of pregnancy. Here’s a few things that could help make the first, delicate trimester a little easier to stomach.
1 min to read

7 simple healthy food swaps to consider before you get pregnant
Eating well now can have a positive impact on your pregnancy, as well as a lasting effect on your baby’s health.
5 mins to read

16-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
If you could see inside yourself and watch your growing baby, you might soon see him sucking his thumb! He has finally managed to get it into his mouth.
2 mins to read

Pregnancy Week by Week
I got the results of my pregnancy test and I’m pregnant! I’m going to be a mom! How can I find out about the different stages of pregnancy week by week?
7 mins to read

Coping with separation anxiety in babies and toddlers
Clingy Baby Syndrome, otherwise known as separation anxiety in toddlers, can be upsetting for you and your baby. Here are some tips to help you both cope with separation anxiety.
1 min to read

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy
If you are of child-bearing age and missed a period, you might hope you are pregnant.
4 mins to read

28-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Your little one is around 35 cm long from crown to toe and already weights about 1.3 kilos, a third of her birth weight. Her feet measure nearly 6 cm – yes, they are tiny!
2 mins to read

Your 12th Week of Pregnancy
Your baby is the size of an apricot. It measures 5 cm from crown to rump, and 7.5cm from crown to heel. It weighs 18g. It now looks just like a little human being.
2 mins to read

Stay active to help keep weight in check & increase chances of an easier birth
2 mins to read

3-week pregnant: baby development and diet advice
You’re at the very beginning of the journey. You can’t see anything yet, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a whole lot going on.
3 mins to read

39-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
You might have felt a few contractions already and were wondering if that was “it”. Don’t worry, you won’t miss the start of labour! Read more about this next to last week.
3 mins to read

Feeling Emotional? It's Those Surging Hormones!
If you are feeling particularly sensitive right now, don't be concerned.
3 mins to read

How to cope with first trimester anxiety
Suffering from first trimester anxiety? You’re not alone, 1 in 10 pregnant women experience this pregnancy symptom in their first trimester. Here’s how to keep the feelings under control.
2 mins to read

Your baby-ready diet
Enjoy the recommended servings from the five food groups to give your baby-to-be a healthy start! Healthy and moderately active?
1 min to read