Pregnant "troubles". Pregnant "troubles" Physiological changes in a woman

15th week of pregnancy is the time when the expectant mother's well-being returns to normal and her appetite wakes up. Now I want to eat for two. However, you should not allow yourself to eat too much, and it is also important to ensure that the food is not only satisfying, but also healthy. The tummy becomes more and more rounded and becomes noticeable. Now it is difficult to hide it under clothes.

At the same time, the 15th week is just the beginning of the path, there are still a lot of exciting moments ahead, both pleasant and not so much. The baby still has to grow up and get stronger before being born.

15 obstetric week is the 4th month of pregnancy, II trimester.

What happens to mom at 15 weeks pregnant?

With the beginning of 14-15 weeks of pregnancy, the baby more and more needs the nutrients that he receives from the mother. Therefore, it is often during this period that pregnant women note increased brittle nails, dry skin, dull hair and increased hair loss. All these are the bells of the body of the expectant mother, saying that there is not enough calcium in her diet.

The daily menu of a pregnant woman must contain fermented milk products, especially cottage cheese, without fail. In this case, it is necessary to eat natural cottage cheese, and not curd mass or curds. It is also important to drink at least 2 liters of clean drinking water every day.

The uterus continues to grow in size. At 14-15 weeks, it completely passes into the abdominal cavity. Now she does not put pressure on the bladder, and a woman can forget about frequent urge to go to the toilet for a while. However, she continues to put pressure on the intestines, so constipation, diarrhea, and digestive disorders can become one of the most striking symptoms of pregnancy at this time. You can avoid such problems by taking care of the correct diet and a balanced diet, which must include fresh vegetables and fruits.

At the gestational age of 15-16 weeks, such unpleasant sensations as weakness and dizziness may appear. These symptoms are caused by a deficiency of iron in the cut of the expectant mother. The blood volume has increased and the body needs much more iron. Its content can be found only by the results of a blood test, which will have to be taken monthly. With a reduced level of iron, medications are prescribed that can increase its concentration. You do not need to completely rely on medicines, vitamin and mineral complexes, it is better if nutrients enter the body of the mother and child naturally - through food.

The daily iron requirement for pregnant women is 30 mg. Iron is rich in meat, seafood, eggs, nuts, dried fruits, vegetables, legumes and fruits (pomegranate, apple, persimmon).

An increase in the amount of blood can cause nosebleeds. This is considered the norm. However, if the nose bleeds quite often, it is better to see a doctor about this problem.

Breasts become larger at 15 weeks, the nipples, as a rule, darken. There is a need to replace the usual linen and clothing with a larger size.

Baby at 15 weeks pregnant. Fetal development

The baby's legs grow more actively than in the first trimester. Now they are longer than the arms. The proportions of the body of the crumbs are becoming more correct every day. The eyes are now located closer to each other, and the ears are already fully formed, which means that the baby hears sounds and voices. Small hairs gradually appear on the child's body.

At 15 weeks, the child's sweat glands begin to work properly. The pituitary gland also begins its functioning. The fruit continues to actively develop and improve. His skin gradually takes on a lighter shade and becomes less transparent.

The baby moves much more dynamically. Mom may still not feel his movements at all, this is not scary, by the 18th week, the child will certainly make itself felt with the first jerks.

The size of the fetus at 15 weeks is about 11-14 cm, the weight is about 60-70 grams. Sexual differences appear, which a specialist can already see on an ultrasound scan. It is from the 15th week of pregnancy that it becomes possible to find out the sex of the child.

Frequently asked questions on the forums

Q: 15 weeks and don't feel pregnant at all. The belly does not grow, the chest seems to have become smaller. Maybe something is wrong?

A: At a period of 14-15 weeks, many mothers stop feeling pregnant. This is due to the fact that all the symptoms that were so bright in the first trimester disappear by this time. The belly has not yet begun to actively grow, and the baby's movements are not yet felt. After a week or two, the feeling of pregnancy will return.

Q: Why does the stomach hurt at 15 weeks?

A: The stomach can hurt in different ways. The intestines may hurt, since digestive problems become more frequent at this time. Mild pulling abdominal pains may indicate that the muscles are stretching due to the growth of the uterus. Severe cramping pains in the lower abdomen indicate the risk of termination of pregnancy. If this is the case, call the hospital immediately.

Q: How do you know that everything is going well at 15 weeks of gestation? I don't feel any signs, only my breasts have become a little larger. Many people are afraid of a frozen pregnancy, how do you know that everything is okay with your baby?

A: Frozen pregnancy is a rare occurrence, you should not be afraid of it. As a rule, if the mother is healthy and does not have serious illnesses, there cannot be a frozen pregnancy. Worry less and do not be nervous, because it is harmful for the baby, he already feels everything. After a couple of weeks, you will begin to feel movement, this will be a sign that everything is fine with the baby. If it is difficult to calm down and anxiety takes over, go for an ultrasound scan.

Feelings of a woman at 15 weeks

Every organism is unique, like every pregnancy. Some become sleepy and lethargic during the 2nd trimester, while others flutter and feel a surge of constant energy. Whatever the feelings and sensations, it is contraindicated for women to overexert themselves and sleep a little, even if it seems that there is enough strength and energy. At this time, you need to take care of yourself and your baby.

Expectant mothers may notice that they have become distracted, inattentive, and forgetful. Such sensations are quite natural. In some, they will pass by the onset of the third trimester, in others after childbirth. In any case, this is a temporary phenomenon and you shouldn't worry too much.

It is interesting that despite the absent-mindedness, the information studied during this period is remembered very well and for a long time. This time can be used to read books that will help you move up the career ladder in the future.

Week 15 requires endurance and self-discipline from a woman, like all pregnancy. There are golden rules with which it will be much easier to transfer this period.

It's time to change the style of the wardrobe, the woman's plump tummy should not be pinched or feel any discomfort caused by tight clothes.
Teeth are the weak point of most pregnant women, so it is worth visiting the dentist if the expectant mother did not have time to do this before pregnancy. Moreover, it is important to eliminate dental problems during the 2nd trimester, while the effect of anesthesia is safe for the baby.
As always, and now it is necessary to take care of health. In the cool season, you should regularly drink berry fruit drinks as a prophylaxis for colds.
Eating fermented milk products is necessary both to obtain calcium and so that the gastrointestinal tract works well and does not cause problems.
It is worth sleeping, walking and resting in moderation so that the body does not get tired, but you also cannot indulge in laziness, since movement is necessary for both the woman and the fetus.

The entire period of pregnancy is important and each week has its own characteristics, try to enjoy each week, especially now, when there are practically no problems and the state of health is excellent.

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The material is for informational purposes only. For accurate information, contact a specialist.

Waiting for a baby is both joyful and alarming at the same time. Everything is alarming: is the baby growing normally, is the weight gain high, what the test results mean, why the mood changes so - dozens of questions torment the expectant mother, who has left the first trimester behind. What changes does the woman's body undergo, and what happens to the baby at the 15th week of pregnancy? Is there cause for concern, or can you relax and enjoy your condition?

Fetus at 15 weeks gestation

The baby has already grown and matured enough, and the doctor has long called him not an embryo, but a fetus. What is he like now, a baby at a full 14 weeks of obstetric time?

Size and weight

How much has the child grown? Is his weight and height normal? For an approximate determination of the length of the body, depending on the embryonic gestational age (minus two weeks from the obstetric period), I use the Haase formula. But here it is important to clearly understand: 15 weeks of pregnancy is how many months? After all, the formula is relevant only until the end of the fourth month of pregnancy.

The growth of the fetus in centimeters is equal to the month of pregnancy squared.

According to it, it turns out that at 15 weeks of obstetric or 13 weeks of gestational growth of the fetus should be from 9 centimeters. On average, babies grow up to 10 centimeters by 15 weeks.

The baby now weighs even more than last week: about 60 grams. Now the weekly weight gain will be about 35-50 grams.

What organs develop in the fifteenth week?

The process of forming the baby's organs has been completed, and they are being improved. So, the brain continues to develop: the cortex is formed, the hemispheres are covered with grooves and convolutions. The tiny organism is already controlled by the central nervous system. The endocrine system is also not inactive: the endocrine glands, including sweat and sebaceous glands, work. Boys produce testosterone. And girls are in no hurry with the development of sexual hubbub - this process will begin later.

The heart works hard to distill the blood. The kidneys produce urine, and the baby is already urinating directly into the amniotic fluid, but this is not scary, because the waters are constantly being updated. The gallbladder produces bile - it is from it that the first stool (meconium) of the baby will be formed after birth. The baby has taste buds, and they allow him to respond to the mother's food.

The baby learns to swallow: he swallows amniotic fluid and spits it out. This allows the lungs to be trained and the baby's respiratory system begins to prepare for work after birth. Bone tissue grows. The child's skin is still thin and red, but it is all a continuous tactile reflexogenic zone: it is the tactile sensations that are formed before the rest.

What does a child look like?

The little inhabitant of mom's tummy is already very similar to a real baby: there are ears, and eyelids, and even eyebrows and cilia. The child may smile and frown, and although his eyes are closed, the eyeballs under the eyelids are not motionless. True, the child still cannot see: the optic nerves are immature, but vision appears after birth.

Stirring a child

Some mothers boast that they can feel the baby's gentle jolts. Describing them, women compare the sensations in the abdomen at 15 weeks of gestation with the fluttering of the wings of a butterfly or the bursting of gas bubbles. The term is still very small, and it is unlikely that the baby's movements can be felt. Most likely, it is the intestines that work like this, misleading mommy. However, it is impossible to categorically insist that a pregnant woman is just fantasizing: many mothers who are not the first pregnancy can really feel a stir, especially if the mother is thin. In fact, the baby has been very active for a long time. At eight obstetric weeks, he could spontaneously move his limbs, and at 14 full weeks he mastered more than a dozen different movements. And in total, the baby spends about three hours a day in motion.

Feel

The obstetric 15 week of pregnancy is underway, 12 full weeks have passed from conception, this is how much time the expectant mother really carries the baby. What is the woman feeling now?

Physiological changes in a woman

The body of the expectant mother is still undergoing a change in all systems. The volume of circulating blood increases, which cannot but affect the work of the heart. The endocrine system also functions differently than before pregnancy.

The kidneys are under additional stress, because they have to excrete not only the metabolic products of the mother, but also the baby's. The capacity of the bladder increases, but the tone of the urinary tract decreases - this is where the frequent urges "in a small way" and urine leakage when laughing or coughing, for example.

Belly at 15 weeks of pregnancy and the condition of the mother

The tummy continues to grow, it becomes difficult to hide it even under semi-tight clothing. However, while there is no need to radically change the wardrobe, it is enough to choose loose, non-squeezing clothing, preferably made from natural fabrics.

Now a dark stripe on the abdomen may appear - from the navel to the pubis. After giving birth, it will begin to brighten and disappear.

Breast 15 weeks pregnant

Breasts continue to prepare for motherhood - they are already much larger in size due to an increase in the number of ducts and alveoli. The nipples become larger, and the areola around each of them increases in diameter. You should not irritate the nipples now in order to see if colostrum has begun, it will come later, closer to childbirth. But even if liquid is already being released from the nipples, you should not deliberately provoke its release! This is very dangerous for the baby's condition, since excessive stimulation of the nipples can provoke uterine contractions.

Nauseous at 15 weeks gestation

Many women only have nausea for a few weeks in the first trimester. Then it passes. But sometimes nausea accompanies the entire pregnancy - this is a manifestation of severe toxicosis, which should be dealt with permanently.

If nausea did not torment before, but appeared suddenly, it is likely that this is a consequence:

food poisoning;
toxic poisoning (for example, due to paint fumes, glue during repairs, and so on);
long exposure to the sun;
side effects of some medications.

You should consult your doctor to determine the cause of nausea.

Discharge at 15 weeks gestation

Do not sound the alarm if the expectant mother noticed that the vaginal discharge became more abundant and changed its consistency (often it became thinner). The reason lies in the fact that the amount of fluid in the body has increased (hence, sweat and frequent urination), which cannot but affect the quality of vaginal leucorrhoea.

However, this is the norm when the discharge:

do not exude a strong unpleasant odor (sour and specific fish);
do not contain blood impurities;
not accompanied by itching;
do not have the consistency of cottage cheese.

The presence of unpleasant "odors", subject to all hygiene rules, may indicate vaginal dysbiosis. This is the case when conditionally pathogenic microflora (it is in all and absolutely healthy women and makes up less than 10% of the total number of bacteria) begins to prevail over lactobacilli ("good" microorganisms). Dysbacteriosis is easily amenable to therapy with drugs allowed during pregnancy.

Itching and cheesy discharge at the 15th week of pregnancy suggest the onset of thrush (or candidiasis). With this disease, the growth of the Candida fungus occurs. Thrush may not affect the development of the fetus in the most pleasant way and cause infection of the baby when passing through the birth canal.

Features of IVF pregnancy

After the embryo replanting was successful, and they were implanted into the uterus, pregnancy after IVF does not differ physiologically from a normal pregnancy. At 15 weeks, IVF-baby or IVF-babies (often 2 or more embryos take root and carry), in the absence of pathologies, develop in the same way as with natural conception. The only difference is that most mothers of "test tube babies" prefer to be seen by their reproductologist. Such a pregnancy is still at increased risk. More ultrasounds and tests may be required, and you will have to visit the doctor more often. In general, by the 15th week of pregnancy, the fetus weighs the same as the normal one, and the IVF baby should not lag behind in growth.

Features of multiple pregnancy

Multiple pregnancies, in which two or more fetuses develop in the uterus, have always deserved special attention from obstetricians and gynecologists. Not only is the birth of twins (triplets) much more difficult, but also the entire pregnancy proceeds with a greater burden on the mother's body.

By week 15, the fundus height will be higher than with a singleton pregnancy. Now the uterus is in size ahead of the uterus containing one fetus by about 2-3 weeks. Mom's tummy is already decently rounded, swelling and pressure surges may begin to disturb. Do not worry if one fetus is slightly larger than the second on an ultrasound scan - this is a common occurrence with such a pregnancy. It is important that the diagnosis does not reveal pathologies.

Alas, only a few mothers manage to avoid complications in multiple pregnancies. In the second trimester, almost 70% of multiple pregnancies are complicated. What to be afraid of?

Complications are both maternal and fruiting.

Maternal include:

iron deficiency anemia;
preeclampsia;
miscarriage;
violation of glucose tolerance and others.

Fetal complications:

pathology of the placenta;
pathology of the umbilical cord;
uneven development of twins;
antenatal death of one of the fetuses or both;
fusion of fetuses (Siamese twins) in one case per 30,000-100,000 multiple pregnancies;
fetal transfusion syndrome (FFTS).

With FFTS, blood is shunted from one fetus to another. From the 15th week of pregnancy, the optimal time for ultrasound to diagnose FFTS begins, and the earlier the pathology is detected, the more favorable the pregnancy outcome.

Uterus size at 15 weeks gestation

The uterus is large enough to be obstructed in the pelvic area, and it extends beyond it. The doctor probes it during examination, measures it - all this allows us to judge how physiologically correct the pregnancy is. At the full 14 obstetric weeks, the height of the uterus is about 14 centimeters.

Problems in the fifteenth week of pregnancy

Despite the fact that the second trimester is the quietest time during the waiting period for the baby, problems can still lie in wait for the mother. Which?

Toxicosis

Yes, toxicosis goes away by the fourth month, but not for everyone. And this is not a deviation, but a variant of the norm. Just in case, it is worth taking tests and consulting a doctor.

Traditional methods can help with nausea:

drink a glass of water with a drop of mint oil;
inhale the aroma of coffee beans;
take a decoction of corn silk.

With toxicosis, it is worth excluding everything salty and smoked from the diet, drinking more liquid and being more often in the fresh air.

Diarrhea and constipation

Mechanical pressure from the growing uterus of the large intestine is one of the leading causes of constipation during pregnancy, since this causes intestinal stagnation and disrupts its peristalsis.

Constipation, which is considered a state of absence of stool for three days, is very dangerous, as it can cause:

hemorrhoids due to an increase in venous pressure below the level of the growing uterus;
cracks in the anal area;

Due to the fact that with constipation, anatomical structures shift upward, it becomes very difficult to diagnose concomitant diseases of the abdominal organs.

Constipation is aggravated by some foods and biologically active components:

iron preparations;
whole milk;
baking;
semi-finished products;
hard boiled eggs and others.

Diarrhea, a problem opposite to constipation, can also often be encountered at 15 weeks of gestation.

Most often, diarrhea is a symptom:

indigestion;
food poisoning;
intestinal infection.

For the fetus, diarrhea is dangerous in that it can cause dehydration of the mother's body and poison the toxins released during the life of bacteria, the baby. To maintain the normal water-salt balance, the expectant mother needs to take rehydration solutions, and to remove toxins - safe sorbents (the simplest ones are activated carbon, Smecta). Then it is necessary to discuss with the doctor the possibility of taking medications to restore the intestinal flora.

Heartburn

Due to progesterone, the tone of the smooth muscles of the esophagus decreases. Due to the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, the pressure inside the esophagus also decreases, or intra-abdominal and intragastric pressure increases - these are the reasons why heartburn appears. The factors that provoke heartburn can adversely affect during endotracheal anesthesia in pregnant women and women in labor.

In addition, some foods also cause heartburn: sour, smoked, pickled, fried, citrus fruits, black bread and others. To get rid of heartburn helps to adjust the menu, in severe cases - the selection of relatively safe drugs.

Stomach hurts and pulls

If your stomach hurts at the 15th week of pregnancy, the reasons can be different - from a banal intestinal disorder to an ongoing miscarriage. How to tell if pain is dangerous?

The uterus grows, and this growth causes a sprain - this is accompanied by short-term sudden pain in the sides of the lower abdomen. Such pains are not accompanied by discharge and do not affect the woman's well-being.

A sharp pain in the lower abdomen is a reason for immediate medical attention.

Pain can occur due to:

threats of miscarriage;
inflammation of internal organs;
appendicitis;
abdominal injuries and so on.

Before visiting a doctor, you should not take painkillers, even those that are allowed for pregnant women, as this can lead to a distortion of the diagnosis.

Bleeding at 15 weeks gestation

Blood from the genital tract during pregnancy is always not normal. Due to the activity of hormones, ovulation is suppressed, which means that there should be no menstruation. But why can it bleed at 15 weeks of gestation? The reasons can be both relatively harmless and very disturbing. Evaluate what is the nature of bleeding, and are there factors that can provoke it?

Perhaps minor spotting appeared after intercourse.

This is possible, and in very rare cases carries the risk of termination of pregnancy when:

erosion of the cervix;
polyps in the vagina;
some other reasons.

Such problems should be noticed by the doctor in a timely manner, he should also warn about possible blood secretions. If such a condition manifested itself for the first time, accompanied by pains of any intensity, blood flows abundantly, up to 15 weeks there were threats of miscarriage - you should immediately call an ambulance and go not to an appointment with a doctor, but to the inpatient gynecology department. Every minute of delay increases the risk of an unfavorable pregnancy outcome!

Threatened miscarriage at 15 weeks of gestation

Despite the fact that the critical period of pregnancy remained in the last trimester, the threat of miscarriage may lie in wait in the second. However, the likelihood of losing a baby due to a genetic failure or chronic infections is already reduced here. But there are factors such as:

trauma to the abdomen;
placental abruption;
isthmic-cervical insufficiency of the cervix;
stress;
damage to the fetus by fungal infections against the background of maternal immunodeficiency;
a history of miscarriage is habitual.

With the timely diagnosis of the problem and timely medication taken, the threat can be stopped and the normal further course of pregnancy is achieved.

Frozen pregnancy at 15 weeks

Unfortunately, a frozen pregnancy is possible at any time.

It can be caused by:

chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus;
intrauterine infection;
hormonal disbalance;
stress.

With a frozen pregnancy at 15 weeks, scraping will be required. In a large percentage of cases, a woman's reproductive health is preserved; she can plan the next pregnancy at least six months after the tragic outcome of the previous one and after a thorough examination for chronic infections and hormones.

The height of the fundus of the uterus, inappropriate hCG levels and other symptoms cannot speak of one hundred percent non-developing pregnancy. An accurate diagnosis can only be made after an ultrasound scan.

Colds. SARS, fever, flu. Can antibiotics be used?

Antibiotics are a real salvation from most diseases. Despite the fact that we are intimidated by the side effects, they are negligible compared to the most deplorable outcome of serious illness - death. In general, antibiotics are our helpers, but does this statement apply to pregnancy?

It has been proven that taking antibiotics during the period when the internal organs of the fetus are being laid can negatively affect the course of pregnancy, cause fetal pathologies or antenatal death. However, there are a number of drugs that are allowed even in the first trimester, and even more so in the second.

What antibiotics can a doctor mean at 15 weeks of pregnancy? This:

penicillin;
cephalosporin;
ampicillin;
erythromycin;
macrolide.

But this does not mean that at the first sneeze, you should run for pills. Antibiotics are indicated only in serious cases and only as prescribed by a doctor!

Traditional medicine also helps to cope with coughs and sore throat:

warm milk with butter and honey;
gargling with a soda solution;
some herbal teas: chamomile, oregano, linden leaf.

In addition, if there is no fever, inhalations with saline are very useful. If the temperature rises, you can take paracetamol, ibuprofen.

Absolutely prohibited: analgin, amidopyrine!

Food poisoning - what to do?

Food poisoning is pretty easy. Despite the fact that in the second trimester of pregnancy, food is recommended to be cooked, you can get poisoned not with meat or fish, but with the same kefir or yogurt.

Poisoning symptoms are easy to recognize:

violation of the stool (diarrhea);
vomiting and nausea;
malaise;
abdominal pain.

A characteristic feature of food poisoning is the suddenness of both the beginning and the end. Poisoning can be both non-microbial (poisonous plant or animal products - mushrooms, some berries, nuts, and so on), and microbial (E. coli, bacilli, fungi, etc.). The danger to the fetus is provided by the latter - their waste products can overcome the placental barrier!

At the first signs of poisoning, a pregnant woman should call a doctor, and while an ambulance is traveling, rinse her stomach, take sorbents and ensure herself bed rest.

Toxoplasmosis at 15 weeks gestation

Toxoplasmosis can be very dangerous to the fetus. In about 30% of the mother's infection, the fetus also becomes infected. Toxoplasma can be "rewarded" by a pet - a cat, the most frequent carrier of the disease. Infection in the second trimester has a more favorable outcome, since drug treatment is allowed during this period - Spiramycin Pyrimethamine, Sulfadiazine.

Why untreated toxoplasmosis threatens the fetus? Damage to the central nervous system and brain, organs of vision, or even antenatal death are possible.

Analyzes and examinations

What procedures are waiting for mom at 15 weeks of pregnancy?

Ultrasound at 15 weeks of gestation

If the doctor prescribes an ultrasound scan, this will not be a routine diagnosis. Most likely, the appointment may be caused by the need to clarify the gestational age or diagnose some pathologies. An ultrasound can also be performed as part of the first screening if the mother did not have time to do it at 12 weeks.

Determine the sex of the baby at 15 weeks of gestation

Now, when the baby's genitals are already formed, it is possible to determine its gender by ultrasound, but the percentage of errors is still high. If at the scheduled ultrasound scan at 12 weeks the doctor could not determine whether it is a boy or a girl, you should not go for an ultrasound scan without an appointment specifically for the sake of satisfying curiosity!

There are many popular ways to determine the sex of an unborn baby, and many believe in their reliability:

If you suddenly exclaim “Oh, what’s wrong with your elbow?” And the pregnant woman looks at the right elbow - this is to the boy, and the left to the girl.
If the expectant mother is asked to show her palms, and she will show them with the back side - this is to the girl, the inside - to the boy.
If a woman grows prettier during pregnancy, it means that she is expecting a son, and that she is getting worse for a girl.

Some parents deliberately avoid information about the gender of their baby, and only find out at the moment of birth.

HCG at 15 weeks gestation

By obstetric week 15, hCG should no longer grow. A high rate is an indicator of multiple pregnancies, oversized pregnancy, or chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down syndrome). The level of the hormone is checked during screening, and it is not required to donate blood specifically for hCG.

Progesterone rate

At 15 weeks, the placenta already produces progesterone, which is important not only for maintaining pregnancy, but also plays an important role in preparing the mother's body for childbirth and lactation.

Specifically, the doctor may ask to find out the level of progesterone if there are any deviations from the normal course of pregnancy - in general, this indicator is now uninformative.

Mom's beauty and health: skin care, hair, nails

Pregnancy is the time to be beautiful! You should not wave your hand at yourself and give up the pleasure of catching admiring glances on yourself.

Perhaps the skin has now become more capricious - it has become drier or fatter, acne and dark spots may appear on the face. It is necessary to select non-allergenic cosmetics or use a special series for pregnant women.

Going to a beauty salon? Not prohibited. However, you should be more careful when choosing procedures.

You need to refuse:

chemical effects on hair (curling, straightening, aggressive coloring);
laser procedures;
thermal effects (including sauna) and so on.

If you have doubts about whether a certain procedure can be done, you need to consult not with a master who is interested in making money, but with a doctor, for whom the health of the mother and child is a priority.

Sex at 15 weeks pregnant

Intimate relationships at the 15th week of pregnancy can be prohibited in extreme cases:

with IVF pregnancy or complex multiple pregnancies;
with the threat of miscarriage;
while undergoing treatment (for example, vaginosis or thrush).

If there are no contraindications, sex is only welcome: it is in the second trimester that the sexual desire of many expectant mothers increases. Sex has a positive effect on the emotional state of the mother and is not felt at all by the fetus.

Sports at 15 weeks pregnant

A pregnant woman at this time is still light and graceful, she has not lost her flexibility. But this does not mean that you can run, jump high, ride a horse, or practice martial arts. Dangerous sports should be postponed!

Do not lose physical fitness:

swimming;
water aerobics;
adapted fitness;
breathing techniques;
a selected set of exercises for the development of flexibility.

Long walks in the fresh air will be a good alternative to sports activities.

Travel: removals and flights

There are no absolute contraindications to travel at the 15th week of pregnancy. However, you should beware of going on a long journey if you feel unwell, in the midst of epidemics and in countries where entry is prohibited without vaccination.

You can fly by plane, but you should be aware that pressure drops during takeoff and landing are a potential hazard. The train is safer transport, but the journey takes a long time.

Preference should be given to a spa or beach vacation. At the same time, it is necessary to choose the time for being in the sun: the optimal hours for sunbathing are before noon or after 17 hours.

Going on the road, you should prudently collect a first-aid kit with drugs allowed during pregnancy and do not forget your medical policy and exchange card.

Diet in the fifteenth week of pregnancy

What should be the mother's nutrition at 15 weeks of gestation? What should be excluded from the diet, and what should be added?

What you can't eat

Perhaps, the products that are strictly forbidden to the mother in the second trimester of pregnancy are much less than those allowed. There is an absolute taboo on alcoholic foods and drinks. It is highly discouraged to consume coffee, meat and fish products (sushi, steaks with blood, lightly salted fish, etc.).

Minimize:

fast food;
smoked meats;
salty;
moldy foods (cheeses);
quickly digestible carbohydrates (baked goods, chocolate);
potential allergens (citruses, chocolate);
"Fortifying foods" (white bread in large quantities, strong meat broths, red meat, and others);
canned food.

Do not lean on fried foods, very fatty foods, chips and crackers. Is it all delicious? Yes! But is it useful?

What you can eat

You can eat almost anything. These are vegetables and fruits - fresh, stewed, baked; meat - lean and well cooked; fish - the fatter, the healthier; cereals and cereals; fermented milk products, eggs. The basis of the diet should belong to cereals and cereals. This includes pasta, whole grain bread, and wholemeal baked goods - these are essential carbohydrates. Proteins should be made up of meat and poultry, dairy products (cottage cheese and dairy products are especially useful), eggs. Fats are natural animals in a smaller proportion to vegetable fats.

But what about the sweet? After all, this is both brain work and hormones of pleasure ... A good alternative to cakes and milk chocolates will be (in limited quantities) marshmallows and marshmallows, honey and fruit jelly. Dried fruits, berries and fresh fruits are excellent at fighting off cravings for sweets.

How should an expectant mother eat? A sample menu for a week is presented in the table.

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
first breakfast	natural yogurt, apple	fermented baked milk	banana	herbal tea, whole grain bread	kefir, Apple	boiled egg, tea	yogurt, pear
lunch	oatmeal porridge, dried apricot compote	Pasta with cheese, tea	cottage cheese casserole, cranberry juice	milk noodle soup, coffee drink	buckwheat milk porridge	curd pudding	omelet, apple juice
dinner	chicken broth with croutons, buckwheat with chicken cutlet	vegetable soup, bigus with meat	Borsch, fish soufflé, mashed potatoes	lentil soup, boiled beet salad, meatball	stewed potatoes with meat, green salad with vegetables	pickle soup, complex side dish, chicken meatballs	fish soup, boiled pasta, lazy cabbage roll
afternoon tea	Tea with biscuit biscuits	fruit salad	hot sandwich, tea	yogurt, dried fruit	tea, squash pancakes	Vegetable Salad	fruit jelly
dinner	cottage cheese pancakes	steam cutlet, stewed vegetables	millet porridge	boiled egg, vegetable stew	stewed cauliflower, baked fish	milk barley porridge	potato-squash zrazy

If the mother adhered to a healthy diet before pregnancy, she will not have to particularly infringe on her usual diet.

Supplements, vitamins

Even the most balanced nutrition from the 15th week of pregnancy is not able to fully provide two organisms - mother and child - with the necessary biologically active substances.

The most necessary substances now:

iron, which ensures the normal functioning of the circulatory system, protects the mother from anemia, and the baby from hypoxia;
calcium - the most important component for the development of the child's skeletal system, teeth, hair and nails, and preserves all this in the mother;
iodine, without which the normal functioning of the hormonal system of the body is impossible;
magnesium, which plays an important role in the work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems;
fluorine is an important element of bone tissue;
chromium, which provides control over carbohydrate metabolism;
vitamins C, PP, A, E, B (1, 2, 9, 12), D - playing an important role in maintaining the maternal immune system, and in the full development of the fetus.

These substances, of course, can be obtained from products. However, you are unlikely to be able to eat so many essential foods every day that micronutrients cover the daily requirement. The way out is ready-made vitamin and mineral complexes: "Materna", "Elevit", "Vitrum", "Complivit" and others marked "Prenatal" or "For pregnant women."

Is alcohol allowed?

15 obstetric week of pregnancy is not a reason to justify yourself by the fact that the baby is already quite large and its organs have finished forming. Do you think that a couple of glasses of beer or a sip of wine can no longer disrupt your baby's development? It's a delusion!

Ethyl alcohol is the main "ingredient" in alcoholic beverages. Acetaldehyde - the main metabolite of ethanol (alcohol) is toxic, carcinogenic, capable of changing the DNA structure of both the mother and the fetus.

Even a small amount of alcohol significantly harms the baby, and prolonged intake of alcohol by the mother leads to the fact that the fetus:

experiencing oxygen starvation;
undergoes changes in the nervous system and cerebral cortex;
susceptible to dysfunction of internal organs;
is born mentally retarded;
may in adulthood have a tendency to alcoholism.

Do not look back at your friends who had alcohol during pregnancy in the order of things, and children were born healthy. It's like Russian roulette: you can drink and give birth to a normal child, or you can cripple the health and psyche of the baby, being a little "tipsy" even on the day of conception. Should you tempt fate?

Pregnancy at obstetric week 15 is a period when mom can breathe a sigh of relief. Passed toxicosis, passed the critical period of bearing crumbs. Now you can think about yourself - go on vacation or continue your career, start renovating your apartment or devote your time to a hobby. It is important not to overwork, get more positive emotions, share them with your significant other and together make plans for a happy future.

What Happens During 15 Weeks Of Pregnancy?

A baby in the second trimester of pregnancy needs a lot of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, especially calcium and proteins.

With a lack of these substances in the body of the expectant mother, not only external changes may appear (deterioration of the skin condition, increased fragility of hair and nail plates), but also other pathological processes. For example, the main symptom of a calcium deficiency is calf muscle cramps.

CHANGES IN THE WOMAN'S BODY

The sensations in the abdomen change at 15 weeks of gestation. The uterus at the fifteenth week increases even more in size. It still has a rounded spherical shape, but will soon begin to stretch into the abdominal cavity. The height of the fundus of the uterus is 14-15 cm. A woman can independently feel it by placing her palm on the lower abdomen approximately 4-5 fingers below the navel.

The uterus no longer presses on the surrounding pelvic organs. That is why, in the second trimeter, the frequency of urination returns to normal. But at the same time, the feeling in the abdomen of heaviness and problems with digestion and bowel function remain. To prevent constipation, it is important to properly formulate a diet.

The volume of blood in the body of a pregnant woman increases by 20%, which puts an additional load on the heart muscle. This is what can cause a slight tachycardia. If a woman has any cardiac pathologies or insufficiency, regular monitoring and observation by a cardiologist is necessary throughout pregnancy.

The 15th week is characterized by an increase in blood volume and insufficient production of red blood cells, which often causes an iron deficiency state - anemia. Its main symptoms are weakness, frequent dizziness, the appearance of flies before the eyes, depression and poor health.

Do not worry about occasional choking sensations at night. Probable causes are nosebleeds - due to an increase in blood volume in the mother's body. However, in case of serious forms of these conditions, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

SIGNS OF PREGNANCY AT 15 WEEKS

The 15th week of pregnancy is characterized by the following main features:

increased volume and increased sensitivity of the breast;
nosebleeds;
low blood pressure;
bleeding gums;
headache;
heartburn, increased flatulence in the intestines, upset stomach;
increased salivation;
the hips and abdomen increase in volume at the fifteenth week;
pigmentation appears on the skin - freckles and moles become more noticeable, the white line on the abdomen darkens.

At this time, a colorless liquid, colostrum, may already begin to be released from the breast. This is a normal physiological phenomenon associated with changes in hormonal levels. It is also influenced by the individual characteristics of a woman, therefore, in some expectant mothers, colostrum is not secreted until the very birth.

Mom's feelings

As a result of hormonal changes in the body, a woman can become distracted and forgetful. Some expectant mothers during this period feel an unprecedented rise in strength and energy. But at the same time, it is important for a pregnant woman to observe the regime of work and rest, to try not to overwork.

New sensations in the abdomen during the 15th week are associated with the growth of the uterus and stretching of the ligaments and muscles, which can lead to unpleasant painful sensations. They should not be harsh and cramping, or cause inconvenience to a woman. For any changes, you should consult a gynecologist.

The fetus in this obstetric week is still very small, but a woman can feel its movements. They do not look like jolts, but are felt as "movement of a fish" or "bursting of bubbles." But only a very sensitive or multiparous woman can feel them. Usually, the expectant mother feels the first shocks of the baby only at 18-20 weeks.

DISCHARGE FROM THE SEXUAL TRACT

During the second trimester of pregnancy, the discharge may be clear, light, or slightly yellowish. But if other signs appear, you should visit a gynecologist:

unpleasant pungent odor;
heterogeneous consistency, the presence of bubbles, flakes, lumps;
the appearance of smearing marks on underwear;
bright yellow or green color of discharge, admixture of pus;
manifestation of burning, cramps, pain and other discomfort.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound examination at the fifteenth week is carried out only at the request of the woman or if there are indications, for example, to determine a frozen pregnancy or confirm a placental abruption.

What happens to a baby at 15 weeks of gestation?

The size of the fruit at this time is 94-103 mm, and its weight is about 50-70 g. It is similar in size to an orange. The fetus has a proportional body and head, and its skin is a thin transparent layer through which blood vessels and capillaries shine through.

The fetus at 15 weeks of gestation is completely covered with a special fluff that protects the waxy lubricant. The fluff covers the eyebrows and the surface of the skull to a greater extent. Hair follicles are already formed in the scalp, which begin to produce an enzyme that determines the color of the baby's hair.

What happens at 15 weeks with the baby yet? He becomes very active, he can somersault in the uterine cavity, which is still very spacious, clench his fists, stroke his face and umbilical cord. All joints are already formed, so he flexes his arms and legs with ease. Half of the time he is in a sleeping state, and the second - he is awake.

What happens in the 15th week of pregnancy with a baby:

the process of ossification of the skeleton is activated, therefore, the consumption of calcium from the female body increases;
the child's eardrums form in the auricles, so he hears well all the surrounding sounds - the beating of the mother's heart, the movement of blood through the vessels and the bubbling in the intestines;
the baby's eyes are still closed, but they react to bright light if the sun's rays are directed at the stomach;
The gallbladder begins to produce bile, which subsequently enters the intestines, which is why, after birth, the baby's original feces - meconium - has a rich swamp-green hue.

A child at the 15th week of pregnancy actively swallows amniotic fluid, after which it empties its bladder. To maintain the optimal chemical composition and sterility in the fetal bladder, the amniotic fluid is regularly renewed. This process can take place up to 8-10 times a day.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS

The main physiological problem for a woman in the second trimester of pregnancy is constipation. Laxatives should not be used to soften them, as they can irritate and petrify the uterus, as well as other consequences. The most serious of these is placental abruption. During this period, it is better to eat more fiber-rich foods and natural, delicate laxatives (prunes).

The 15th obstetric week of pregnancy is usually accompanied by a normalization of the temperature, but with the penetration of viruses or infection, it may increase. This condition is very dangerous for the child, therefore, at temperatures above 38 ° C, you should immediately take an antipyretic - Paracetamol or.

To prevent possible problems, you should refuse to visit public places, limit contact with strangers. If a sore throat appears, you can rinse it with chamomile infusions, and if you cough, you can rub and inhale. You should refrain from using any medications.

WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO?

A pregnant woman needs more time to be outdoors, walk more and do low-intensity gymnastics, as well as follow other doctor's recommendations:

In the second trimester, it is advisable to visit a dentist to identify problems with teeth, since a lack of calcium can lead to crumbling, loss and the appearance of cavities. If you have any problems, it is necessary to carry out treatment in the second trimester.

Nutrition should be correct and balanced, high in protein and calcium. The best foods during this period are cottage cheese, milk, cheese, chicken and turkey, fish and seafood. You need to eat in small portions 6-8 times a day, avoiding overeating.

To prevent the main physiological problem at this time - constipation, you should eat sprouted cereals, whole grain bread and cereals. To replenish the lack of calcium, it is recommended to eat cottage cheese for breakfast, as well as drink up to two liters of water per day, include berry fruit drinks in the drinking regime during the cold season - this will also be an excellent prevention of colds.

During pregnancy, it is undesirable to take any medications and medicines, including even vasoconstrictor nasal drops;

If the belly begins to grow, the woman should buy special clothes for pregnant women - trousers or jeans with an elastic insert in the belly area. They will not put pressure on him, and also will not cause discomfort to the child.

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15 weeks pregnant - what happens to the baby? The child's cardiovascular system is significantly improved. The vascular network can be seen through the skin. The heart works so hard that it pumps about 20 liters of blood in 24 hours. Because of this, the skin turns red, although sometimes it takes on a pink tint. The production of pigments occurs, which is responsible for the color of the hair.

The work of the intestines is activated due to the fact that the liver secretes bile, and it enters the large intestine. A child at 15 weeks of gestation (photo below) empties the bladder more often, the kidneys work much more actively. But, despite this, the child can comfortably be in the amniotic fluid, because they are cleansed at least ten times a day.

A woman may find a strange brown line that runs from the navel to the pubis. There is nothing wrong with that, because the hormonal background of the body changes and melamine (a pigment substance) is released. After childbirth, the work of the body will improve and the line will disappear.

Be sure to buy special clothes for pregnant women, otherwise the usual clothes will put pressure on the fetus. It is advisable to purchase loose and comfortable clothing.

See your doctor for the exact due date. With the help of an ultrasound scan, the doctor will locate the uterus and say how long it will take for the baby to be born.

Pregnancy 15 weeks: fetal development

What does a baby look like at 15 weeks of pregnancy? At 15 weeks of pregnancy, a very important moment comes. The fetal cortex begins to form. The bark will form throughout the month. At the fifteenth week, the left and right hemispheres of the fetal brain are covered with grooves and convolutions, and the process of division of nerve cells begins. The central nervous system is formed, which further controls the child's body. In short, the development of the fetus at the 15th week of pregnancy is active.

The system of endocrine glands of the fetus also begins to develop. The glands begin to function, the sweat and sebaceous glands are actively working. The fetus continues to develop actively at 15 weeks and a system of fetal endocrine glands appears. And in the male fetus at this stage, a male hormone called testosterone is produced. The baby's body is now able to respond to the food absorbed by the mother, since the taste buds are finally formed.

The most important organs of the body function actively. The heart drives blood through the body. It is capable of driving about 28 liters per day. The first bile is released in the body. It is produced by the gallbladder. In the future, this first bile will form the child's first feces. The kidneys are actively working, they produce urinary fluid, which is excreted by the body directly into the amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid is constantly being updated. The respiratory system of the fetus becomes perfect.

During the fifteenth week, the body diligently develops and trains the muscles, as well as the lungs. A fetus at 15 weeks gestation performs many breathing exercises, swallowing and spitting out amniotic fluid. With the help of these exercises, lung tissue is formed, which prepares the child's body for his first breath and a breath of air after birth. As you know, the vocal cords are already formed before this stage, so this week the glottis opens.

During the fifteenth week, muscle tissue is actively developing, as well as the joints of the baby. The fetus performs various movements (floats, rotates, rolls over, somersaults, bends and unbends arms, legs and cams). The bones of the body become stronger, the skin already consists of several layers. However, until now, the skin is thin and transparent, blood vessels appear through it. The hairline of the child is also expressed, the hairs become thicker, and you can see the eyebrows and cilia. The fetus at this time becomes like an ordinary child, it is no longer as ugly as it was before. This week, the baby's legs are getting longer than the arms, as expected. The ears are already fully formed, and the fetal body itself is elongated. The average weight of the fetus at the fifteenth week is about 70 grams, and its height (from the coccyx to the crown of the head) is about 10 centimeters or more. But these dimensions do not affect the comfort of the baby in any way. He feels comfortable enough in his mother's belly.

Stomach

The mother's belly continues to grow. The size increases, and not only in the fetus, but also the uterus becomes larger. Pregnancy is already more visible. But there are also cases when the belly of a pregnant woman begins to grow only from this stage, that is, from the fifteenth week. And before that, the waist just disappeared a little, but the stomach did not increase.

Do not be afraid of the manifestation of a dark stripe on the stomach, it goes from the navel to the bottom. This is a temporary strip that will disappear soon after childbirth.

Photo of tummies at week 15

Pain at week 15

Most pregnant women experience abdominal pain by 15 weeks. Such pains are of a different nature, which have arisen for different reasons. A typical cause of abdominal pain is the direct and continuous growth of the uterus. During this process, the muscles of the uterus are stretched and held. And then there is some pain. It does not manifest itself strongly and does not deliver any unpleasant sensations. Pulling pain with the formation of contractions may also occur. In this case, bloody discharge may appear or the pain radiates strongly to the lower back. Then there may be a threat of termination of pregnancy. In this case, you need to see a doctor for help.

If the pain manifests itself in the lumbar region or back, this may be a sign of pyelonephritis, which is accompanied by pain when urinating, as well as an increase in temperature.

Pain in the tailbone area may also appear. The causes of this kind of pain can be different. Pain occurs due to pressure from the uterus or displacement of organs. Or pinching of the nerves is possible. During such pain, it is not recommended to sit for a long time, especially on soft surfaces. You can kneel down on all fours to lessen the pain. You also need to consult with your doctor and ask him when you can start wearing a bandage. It is quite possible with its help pain in the tailbone or lower back at the fifteenth week of pregnancy can be prevented or reduced. There are cases that after childbirth, the pain in the tailbone continues to get. Then you should consult a doctor.

Headaches can often occur at 15 weeks of gestation. You should not take medications right away; you can try several other ways to get rid of the pain. You can take a walk in the fresh air, then have a snack and a cup of tea, take a warm shower and have a good rest. All this should certainly help. But if the pain persists, then, as a last resort, you can take a pill of paracetamol.

Sensations at the 15th week of pregnancy

It is believed that the second trimester of pregnancy is the calmest and most favorable time. But during this period, new sensations also appear. At the fifteenth week, a stuffy nose or nosebleeds may appear. Nothing wrong with that. Such phenomena are quite normal for a pregnant woman. They just need to endure.

Darkening of the nipples may also appear. The reason for this is the increased production of melamine. The appearance of age spots, which will disappear after childbirth, is not excluded. At the fifteenth week, cramps in the muscles of the calves of the legs may be enough, nails exfoliate and teeth crumble. Attention should be paid to phenomena of this kind. Such signs indicate a lack of calcium in the body of a pregnant woman. And calcium is needed not only by the mother, but also by the baby. Therefore, all calcium from the mother's body goes to the formation of the fetus.

Most pregnant women during this period become less attentive and distracted. But don't just lie on the couch. In the absence of any contraindications, you should continue to lead an active lifestyle.

Ultrasound at 15 weeks

Up to 15 weeks, ultrasound is already being carried out. Therefore, it will not be some kind of innovation. But in the process itself, you can see a lot of new and interesting things. During this period, you can consider the external genital organs of the child. And if the location of the fetus allows, you can find out the genus of the fetus. You can see how the baby has changed and how he has grown. He can swallow, suck his toe, wiggle his arms and legs, clench his fists. Ultrasound will allow you to monitor the activity of the child.

At this stage, a child's heart is capable of performing an average of 150 beats per minute and distilling approximately 28 liters of blood.

Photo of ultrasound at 15 weeks

Sex

During this period, you do not need to give up sex. At the 15th week of pregnancy, it is not at all contraindicated, provided that there are no various threats. As you know, during sex, the body produces a large amount of endorphins. It is a hormone of happiness. Pleasant and positive emotions are necessary for both the mother and the child. Also, sex contributes to the good development and training of various muscle tissues, the muscles of the uterus, too.

But care should be taken when having sex. Deep penetration positions are not recommended. You should also give up hard sex.

The appearance of bleeding

If spotting of various types appears, you need to take a break from sexual activity. If bleeding has opened, you should immediately consult a doctor and establish the cause of the bleeding. At the fifteenth week, bleeding may not at all indicate a threat of termination of pregnancy. Other reasons are possible, for example, mechanical damage to the cervix or various abdominal injuries. Vessels may also burst or a disease such as erosion may appear.

Discharge at 15 weeks

At the end of bleeding, a spotting type of brown, pink or cream color may appear. Such discharge should not be left just like that. You need to consult a doctor.

Discharge of this type can become more abundant, more liquid and become transparent in color. You should not be afraid and worried. This is due to the increased levels of estrogen in the blood.

There are some signs of discharge, having found which, it is necessary to contact a gynecologist and take a smear for analysis to determine infections. The signs are as follows:

Discharge heterogeneity. They can stand out in the form of bubbles, lumps, and cheesy discharge can appear.
The appearance of an unpleasant and pungent odor. This smell can often be compared to the smell of fish.
The manifestation of dirty marks from discharge on bed or linen.
The color of the discharge is yellow or green. Sometimes purulent appears.
Manifestation of symptoms with discharge. Such as burning sensation, pain when urinating, severe itching, fever. Irritation of the genitals and their swelling may also appear.

Temperature at week 15

Before the onset of the 15th week of pregnancy, the woman's body gets used to the new condition. And in almost all cases, the body temperature in the fifteenth week does not rise as it did in the first trimester. But sometimes the body temperature is higher than normal. Most often, it rises in the evening. But you shouldn't worry about this if there is no other reason to worry.

But if the temperature is quite high and reaches 38 degrees and above, and can also last for more than one day, you need to immediately drink an antipyretic agent. After all, a high temperature for a long time can be not only unfavorable, but also dangerous for a child. To lower the temperature, it is recommended to take paracetamol tablets or medications that contain it.

An increased long-term body temperature during this period can be caused by various infections and diseases. It can be measles, flu, chickenpox and other infectious diseases, for example, an infection of the urinary system - cystitis.

Colds

It is not uncommon for pregnant women to get sick with flu or colds. Naturally, such diseases are accompanied by an increase in body temperature. In addition to temperature, a dangerous factor for a pregnant woman and for a child is the virus itself and its effect on the body. However, in some cases, an elevated temperature during the second trimester can seriously damage the placenta or even infect the womb.

If a cold occurs in the fifteenth week of pregnancy, you should immediately consult a doctor. He must prescribe the proper treatment. It is also necessary to follow some of the rules of the regime: drinking plenty of vitamins, simple and light food, stay in bed and not burden the body. If your throat hurts, you can rinse it with infusions and decoctions of chamomile or sage. Saline or baking soda solution is also suitable for gargling. In no case should these infusions and solutions be swallowed. When a cough occurs, rubbing and inhalation can be done, but this is provided there is no temperature. If a pregnant woman has a runny nose, a nasal lavage should be done. You can also use tea tree oil and lubricate the nasal cavity with it if you are not allergic to this oil.

15 obstetric week of pregnancy is baby-friendly. During this period, the placenta can protect against many viruses and diseases.

Alcoholic drinks

The placenta cannot protect against alcohol, and all alcohol consumed is directed directly to the child. Naturally, the effect of alcohol on the fetus is not positive. You should not take any alcoholic beverages, not only at the fifteenth week, but in general throughout the entire pregnancy.

According to many doctors and nutritionists around the world, the emergence of a great desire to use a particular product is associated with a lack of certain substances in the human body. And very often these substances are not found at all in those products that you so want to use. So it is with a pregnant woman. Often, pregnant women have a strong desire to drink wine or drink beer. This indicates a lack of proteins in the body. You can substitute lean meat or nuts for alcoholic beverages. They contain a huge amount of protein.

Meals at week 15

During the course of pregnancy, you must follow the correct and healthy diet. The body needs the right amount of fat, protein and carbohydrates. All these components are needed for the normal functioning of the mother and for the development of the fetus. Therefore, at the fifteenth week of pregnancy, food should be varied and healthy. It is necessary to eat a variety of cereals, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, eggs and meat.

It is also necessary to include in the diet healthy fats of plant origin, which contain vitamin E. It strengthens the placenta. It is recommended that you purchase several vegetable oils that you can add to your food. You also need to eat nuts and seeds.

The correct proportions of nutrients also play an important role in the nutrition of a pregnant woman. The first place is occupied by proteins. They need to be consumed in greater quantities than other substances. You should carefully choose meat or fish, as well as properly prepare dishes from them. Doctors and nutrition scientists believe that a pregnant woman should consume about 200 grams of meat every day, which sometimes (namely 2 or 3 times a week) can be exchanged for fish.

Condition of the uterus

During an ultrasound examination, a specialist will evaluate the uterus. At the fifteenth week of pregnancy, the myometrium (the so-called muscular layer of the uterus) should have a homogeneous structure with a thickness of about 2.5 cm.

During this period, the uterus can be easily felt through the abdominal wall. It is located approximately in the middle of the space from the navel to the pubis.

Screening

From 15 to 17 weeks are sometimes held already. It is also called second trimester screening. This process involves ultrasound examination and collection of biochemical analyzes. The purpose of screening is to identify the risk group of pregnant women. Women who are in such a group can give birth to children with various disabilities, for example, a child with Down syndrome or a neural tube defect. The screening process cannot provide any diagnosis, it can only determine the proportion of the risk.

The screening, which is carried out in the second trimester, is called the triple test, since it includes the collection of tests for total hCG, tests for AFP and free estriol. A triple test is more accurate than a double test in the first trimester. It is for this reason that some gynecologists can do without a double test, and already conduct a triple test during the second trimester.

It is believed that a dangerous indicator for screening is 1: 350. With such an indicator, a high-level risk appears and there is a need to prescribe additional tests. However, a pregnant woman has every right to refuse them. Since all further procedures will not be able to accurately determine the development or termination of the pathology. And the indicators on the analyzes may not be good enough for various reasons. Therefore, you should not focus only on the results of the analyzes, since the risk can arise even with good indicators.

Analyzes at 15 weeks

At week 15, a major test called the triple test is done. You can start taking tests from this week, but in no case later than the twentieth. Since this period is considered more suitable for such a test.

HCG levels begin to drop markedly during the second trimester. If the indicators have an increased or decreased level, then there are some violations. Or it could mean that the woman was given the wrong date.

Progesterone at this stage is not isolated as an indicator, since it is ineffective at this time.

Vaginal swabs should be taken if an abnormal discharge occurs.

You just need to attend all the scheduled examinations of the gynecologist and then there will be no need to worry. The doctor himself will prescribe the appointments and tests to control the pregnancy. You will need tests such as urinalysis and blood tests, as well as blood sampling for hormones and other indicators.

A grown belly will require you to find a new sleeping position. Sleep optimally on the left side.

Dangers

If a boy is expected to be born, at the 15th week, the kidneys and adrenal glands may begin to bother the mother, because the male fetus is already producing the hormone testosterone. This should be reported to the doctor and treatment should be undertaken.
If a woman has previously had genetic diseases or has other indications, it is at the 15th week that she is ordered to be tested for the composition of amniotic fluid. Carrying out such an analysis at the 15th week is the safest!
Due to an increase in the amount of blood, by the 15th week, nasal congestion (rhinitis of pregnancy) may occur, and age spots continue to increase.

It's time to use, wear elastic and supportive underwear to prevent varicose veins.
Pay attention to the condition of your teeth. Now you can safely treat old caries.
When you sleep, take the most comfortable and safest posture as you sleep. the tummy is already big. It is better to do it on the side. If it's nice, you can put a pillow under your feet.

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Author of the publication: Margarita Ignatova

At the sixteenth week of pregnancy, the expectant mother usually feels great, because the toxicosis has long receded, and the relatively small size of the abdomen allows her to lead a normal life, with the exception of some restrictions.

Women who are pregnant with their first baby do not yet hear fetal movements, but during the second and subsequent pregnancy, the expectant mother may well feel the still not quite confident movements in the tummy.

Fetal growth and development

The body length of the fetus at 16 weeks is from 10.8 to 11.6 cm, and the body weight is in the range from 80 to 100 grams.

During this period, the following changes in the development of the fetus occur:

nails are formed on the fingers;
the fetus has learned to keep its head straight;
the future baby is actively gesticulating and periodically opening his mouth;
the cardiovascular system of the fetus is actively functioning: its heart passes through itself up to 25 liters of blood throughout the day;
the liver begins to perform a digestive function;
the urinary system works hard: the baby excretes urine every 45 minutes;
the genitals of the baby are already sufficiently developed, therefore, on ultrasound, in most cases, it is possible to correctly determine the sex of the child;
the cellular composition of the blood is fully formed, the baby already has its own blood type and Rh factor.

Changes in a woman's body

The female body subordinates its vital activity to meet the needs of the fetus for nutrients. At 16 weeks, the expectant mother may notice the following changes:

the total increase in body weight of a woman from the moment of conception to the present time ranges from two to four to five kilograms. Such a large difference in weight gain is explained by the fact that in the first trimester, some expectant mothers hardly recover due to severe toxicosis, and now they have just begun to catch up;
due to increased pressure on the intestines, a pregnant woman may be disturbed by constipation, flatulence, heartburn and other digestive problems;
the hormonal background of the expectant mother is relatively stabilized, so the mood returns to normal.

Possible pathologies in the development of the fetus and the necessary tests

Since there is a possibility that not all abnormalities and pathologies in the development of the fetus were detected during the first prenatal screening, it is recommended that a woman undergo a second prenatal screening, or "triple" test, as well as a number of other tests at 16-20 weeks.

The second prenatal screening involves a blood test for ACE (alpha-fetoprotein), hCG (chorionic gonadotropin) and free estriol. If the results of the examination reveal any abnormalities, this may indicate a high risk of the fetus having chromosomal abnormalities or other developmental disorders. The most dangerous pathologies include Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, neural tube defects, etc. In case of an increased likelihood of these diseases, the expectant mother may be recommended to undergo late amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling as a more detailed diagnosis.

At 16 weeks is the right time for an ultrasound scan in order to establish the sex of the baby and determine a number of parameters of fetal development. During this period, it is quite simple to determine the sex of the fetus, but only if the baby has turned the "right" side to the ultrasound sensor.
In addition, ultrasound can also reveal characteristic signs of some chromosomal abnormalities, therefore, this diagnostic method should not be abandoned.

Heartburn: how to help yourself?

Heartburn becomes a frequent companion of pregnancy. From 50 to 75% of expectant mothers face such a digestive problem at different periods.
Heartburn, i.e. the throwing of the contents of the stomach back into the esophagus occurs during pregnancy due to the fact that the enlarging uterus begins to squeeze the internal organs, including the stomach. Since at 16 weeks the stomach is already noticeably rounded, the digestive organs can shift and shrink, which leads to belching and heartburn.
In addition, during the carrying of the baby, significant hormonal changes occur in the body of the expectant mother. Under the influence of progesterone, the smooth muscles of the internal organs, including the sphincter located between the esophagus and the stomach, become more relaxed.

How can you help yourself with the first manifestations of heartburn? Since taking medications during pregnancy is extremely undesirable, you will have to use other methods:

food should be taken in small portions. Remember: after all, even a perfectly healthy and "non-pregnant" person may experience an unpleasant belch after too much of a feast. Therefore, avoiding overeating is the main method in the fight against heartburn;

do not squeeze the stomach area with tight clothing, belts and other accessories. However, a reasonable woman in any case during pregnancy will wear loose clothing, because the baby needs free space for full development;
exclude from the menu or significantly limit the consumption of foods and dishes such as coffee, sour and spicy foods, marinades, too fatty or fried foods;
refuse to eat before bedtime;
after eating, be in an upright position for as long as possible, and not lie;
include jelly in the diet as an enveloping agent;
after consulting a doctor, include in the menu a small amount of ginger root or fennel oil.

Minor sleep problems can happen to anyone from time to time. What can we say about pregnant women, because worries about the health of the unborn baby often cause insomnia, and an enlarging belly can cause physical discomfort not only during the day, but also at night.

Other causes of sleep disturbances during pregnancy include:

pain in the lumbar region that occurs in many expectant mothers in the second and third trimesters;
fetal movement;
frequent urge to empty the bladder;
leg cramps;
itchy skin in the abdomen;
chronic stress and anxiety.

Fighting insomnia is not only possible, but also necessary, because lack of sleep, nightmares and other disturbances in the quality of sleep negatively affect the emotional and physical state of the mother, and, therefore, are not useful for the unborn baby.

In order to speed up the process of falling asleep and prevent nighttime awakenings, it is recommended to take the following measures:

avoid the manifestation of negative emotions during the day, do not take part in conflicts and quarrels;
give up daytime sleep or reduce its duration to 20-30 minutes;
maintain an adequate level of physical activity: take regular walks, do special exercises for pregnant women, after consulting a doctor;
arrange a place to sleep as comfortably as possible: the bed should be clean and fresh, the air should be moderately cool;
at least an hour before bedtime, refuse to watch TV programs, news feeds from the Internet and other sources of information.

Everyone knows about the benefits of sports and physical education. But is it possible for expectant mothers to play sports, or maybe it is better for them to focus only on doing relaxation exercises?
The intensity of physical activity during the period of carrying a baby largely depends on whether the woman was involved in sports before pregnancy. Professional athletes are not recommended to abruptly abandon training: at first, it is enough to slow down the pace of training and exclude exercises associated with strong abdominal tension, lifting weights, jumping.
For all other women, it is advisable to exercise only in special groups for pregnant women.

Depending on what type of physical activity the woman preferred before pregnancy, adjustments should be made to the training program:

jogging is best replaced by walking at a fast pace. It is allowed to resume training in a gentle mode only in the second trimester and only with the consent of the doctor;
skiing can be replaced by skiing on flat terrain at a moderate pace;
volleyball and other ball games should be excluded from the training program;
cycling is allowed only at a slow pace and after consulting a doctor;
equestrian sports should be categorically abandoned during pregnancy;
tennis is allowed up to 4-5 months of pregnancy, but only if the level of load is reduced;
Swimming is permitted (and in some cases recommended) during pregnancy, but it is better to swim in a pool of clear water, rather than in a dubious body of water. Diving, as well as jumping into water, must be excluded.

Therefore, although week 16 is a relatively good time for physical activity, any exercise should be discussed with your pregnancy monitor.