Week 15 of Your Pregnancy

You might be feeling better than in previous weeks, and (soon) you may start noticing a prominent bump. Read on to learn more about common questions, symptoms, and development for week 15 of your pregnancy.

Pregnancy Journey Week 15

Design By Alice Morgan / Illustration by Tara Anand

At 15 weeks, you may be in the “honeymoon phase” of your pregnancy when many less-than-pleasant early pregnancy symptoms have (more likely than not) waned. Your energy may have returned, and overall you may be feeling pretty good. Things are on the up and up. Your pregnancy is also progressing, and quickly. At 15 weeks, you’re more than halfway through your fourth month. So what can you expect from this week—and the remaining 25? Read on to learn more.

Pregnancy Week 15 Quick Facts

  • At 15 weeks, you’re four months pregnant
  • You have 25 weeks until your due date
  • You're in your second trimester

Your Unborn Baby's Size at 15 Weeks

As your fetus continues to develop (and your body continues to change and grow), you may notice a visible bump. That, or your pants may be fitting a little snug. But there's a good reason for this change: At 15 weeks, your unborn baby is approximately 3.98 inches long and weighs almost 2.5 ounces.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 15

While every person and pregnancy is different, some of the major symptoms pregnant people experience in week 15 are:


You may also experience headaches. I did. In fact, during week 15 of my pregnancy, I began having bad headaches. Turns out, I'm not alone in this. "Headaches are a frequent topic of conversation during prenatal visits," says Ellen Smead, CNM, a certified nurse-midwife at Pediatrix Medical Group. 

The good news is most headaches are not cause for concern. "The majority are uncomplicated and can be helped by increasing water and non-caffeinated fluids as well as giving yourself time to rest," says Smead. “Pregnant people are much more easily dehydrated. This is particularly noticeable during the second trimester of pregnancy, as vasodilation takes place,” she adds. But some people may find their headaches more disruptive—and harder to treat. 

"The first line of recommendations for headaches is rest, increased water intake, Tylenol, and small amounts of caffeine (200mg or less per day)," says Smead. "If this does not relieve a headache, however, then you may require further observation, lab work, or prescription medication."

As for me, my headaches progressed into migraines, requiring multiple attempts at finding a safe and helpful medication, since my pre-pregnancy meds weren't allowed. In addition, I drank way more water than I thought was possible, tried to eliminate triggers—like stress, overheating, not eating frequently enough, and more—and hoped it would pass in a few (long) weeks like it did with my other pregnancies.

Developmental Milestones

During your first trimester, fetal development is rapid and fast-paced—and the same is true of your second trimester. Ears are looking more like ears, and eyes are moving toward the nose and away from the sides of the head. The lungs, bones, and limbs are continuing to develop as is the skin, which is getting thicker each day. Your unborn baby may learn how to suck their thumb this week, a cute and momentous milestone.

pregnancy week 15 quote

Prenatal Tests and Doctor's Appointments

Your OB-GYN can (and may) check for neural tube defects as early as 15 weeks, says G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, an OB-GYN at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center. Commonly referred to as the “quad” or “quadruple” blood test, the second-trimester screening test, or the multiple marker test, this test measures four levels of substances in your blood to look for an increased risk of Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, and other issues.

"If the baby has a defect in the back or brain where it's open, it will secrete a substance that would be elevated. That would indicate the baby might have a spinal cord defect and/or a brain-related issue,” Dr. Ruiz explains. 

Small defects are also able to be identified with this test. "If it's a small defect, there are some types of surgical procedures that you do after the baby is born, so you can prepare for a surgical intervention," adds Dr. Ruiz. In addition, this test can show abdominal wall defects, in which the intestines are developing outside the body. Dr. Ruiz says that getting both the first- and second-trimester screening tests, though a personal decision, will rule out most major anomalies.

Common Questions at This Pregnancy Stage

When can I find out the sex of the baby?

If you didn't opt for the first-trimester screening to help identify your unborn baby's sex, you will probably be waiting for the 20-week ultrasound. That's unless you are "team green," meaning you want to be surprised at the birth. Dr. Ruiz does not recommend you go to a pregnancy spa for a keepsake ultrasound, however, at least not before 20 weeks, because you won’t see much.

"If you want a 3D ultrasound and a really good visual of the developing fetus, wait until the third trimester. That's what these spas are good for," he says, noting that there's no medical value. Additionally, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Food and Drug Administration warn of the potential risks of ultrasounds done for entertainment or other non-medical purposes.


I feel off balance. What gives?

If you find yourself feeling dizzy or off balance—maybe you’re even tripping over your feet—you are not alone. Your center of gravity shifts during pregnancy. Hormonal changes can impact balance, too. Dizziness is also common. Drink plenty of water, especially if this sensation is brought about by dehydration. Do not stand for long periods of time, and move slowly. Transitions, from lying down to sitting, for example, can be difficult. Go easy and take your time

Things You Might Consider This Week

If you've had gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies, your provider might not wait until 28 weeks to check this time. This happened with Olivia Howell, a mom of two from Long Island, New York. "Because I had gestational diabetes with my first son, I was tested very early for gestational diabetes in my second pregnancy. I found out rather quickly that I did have it again, as your chance of having it again goes up drastically after having it once," she says. "Having been through that process with my first baby, I knew how to keep my blood sugar low. Having a supportive doctor also put me at ease."

Support You May Need This Week

While you may be feeling good (or even great!) by week 15 of pregnancy, everyone needs and deserves support. If you're working, now is a great time to look into your company’s parental leave policy, if you haven’t already. Contact your human resources director with any logistical questions and concerns. You may also want to look into financial assistance programs, like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

Ask for assistance when you need it. Enlist the help of a partner, if you have one, and family members, friends, or other loved ones. While it may seem early, if you live in a major metropolitan area and plan to enroll your child in daycare, now is the time to begin touring said facilities. Spots fill up quickly, so aim to get a jump on the process while you are feeling up to it.

Head over to week 16 of pregnancy

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. The World Health Organization Fetal Growth Charts: A Multinational Longitudinal Study of Ultrasound Biometric Measurements and Estimated Fetal Weight. PLoS Med. 2017.

  2. Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review. J Headache Pain. 2017.

  3. Changes During Pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2020.

  4. Prenatal Genetic Screening Tests. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2021.

  5. Ultrasound Imaging. Food and Drug Administration. 2020.

  6. A Systematic Review of Vertigo: Negligence in Pregnancy. Cureus. 2022.

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