Pregnancy Calendar - Second Trimester: Week 15

At the fifteenth week, many women undergo special diagnostic procedures - as a rule, it is recommended in cases where there are reasonable grounds to believe that the fetus may have serious developmental defects.

• What happens inside

The length of the body of the fetus is 11 to 11.43 cm, weight - about 50 grams If you could look at the face of the developing baby, you would see how he winces and grimaces - at this time began to develop his facial muscles. All the tiny organs of the fetus, its nerves and muscles begin to function. The liver secretes bile already, which later would contribute to the breakdown of fat and the pancreas begins to produce insulin - the hormone that converts glucose into energy.

The uterus is greatly increased in breadth, up and down, and now the majority of pregnant women just below the belly button already has a pretty noticeable belly. Many women at the fifteenth week of the stomach is visible even under clothes, so that already at this time often hear questions about the expected timing and sex of the child and, of course, congratulations. Again, if the stomach is not yet visible, no need to worry - every pregnancy is very individual, and if the doctor did not reveal any problems, then they most likely do not.

On the fifteenth of the week is to do the exercises for the muscles of the abdomen and the pelvic floor - it will facilitate delivery and reduce the likelihood of a problem such as urinary incontinence, in the future. In addition, if you exercise regularly during pregnancy, after childbirth soon be able to regain its former physical shape.

Mammary glands at the fifteenth week of pregnancy is already beginning to work. From time to time you may notice a drop of fluid on the nipple, or wet spots at the level of the nipple on clothes - it's colostrum, rich in protein substance that is in some ways the forerunner of breast milk. If necessary, you can invest in a special soft bra pads are designed for nursing women, or used in place of small circles cut from the panty liners - the effect will be the same.

Around the fifteenth week of pregnancy, many women begin to feel Braxton Hicks contractions or training bout that prepare the uterus for the upcoming birth. In such term training bout is not very strong - as a rule, women experience mild to moderate tension in the abdominal area. Often these contractions occur after exercise. If you are experiencing regular contractions (more than four times per hour), experience severe discomfort and / or have started unusually heavy vaginal discharge, contact your doctor.

Week 16

Between 16 and 22 weeks of pregnancy women begin to feel the baby move.

• What happens inside

The length of the body of the fetus at that time - a little more than 11.5 cm, weight - about '80 Mother begins to feel the movement of the child, when his bones are sturdy enough, and he begins a significant growth spurt. As long as he motions for enough space - now it's easy to fit in the palm of your hand. As far as can be judged experts dealing with fetal development, at this time the fruit be just fine. He may at any time to play with the umbilical cord (which, incidentally, he was able to grab), put your fingers in your mouth or kicking the fetal sac. In a word, the child has the opportunity to learn about the world before the birth - and appear to actively use it.

The first movement of the child, many women compared with the butterflies flutter in the stomach or bursting bubbles. Pushes more significantly it begins later.

As your uterus is already contained in addition to the child about a cup of amniotic fluid, you can feel the unusual heaviness in the lower abdomen. In addition, you carry the weight of, adding by increasing the volume of blood and other fluids, the development of the placenta and breast enlargement. In the second trimester, many women increases weight 400-500 g per week.

At the sixteenth week, like the previous, often carry out diagnostics for the detection of genetic abnormalities.

In addition, since about the sixteenth week of pregnancy, many women begin to grow significantly appetite should know how many calories recommended for use during pregnancy. Perhaps someone is disappointed, but did not need to eat for two. A healthy woman should consume 2000 kcal per day in the second trimester can increase the calorie intake by 340 kcal, in the third trimester - 450 kcal (450 not need to add to the 2340 and 2000). Of course, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and eat as many fruits and vegetables.

Related Articles

Pregnancy - nine awaited months

Late pregnancy - norm or pathology?

The first signs of pregnancy: time for change

Determination of gestational age - which method is most accurate?