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Sign InWeek 15 — Bone Up
Overall Pregnancy
Your Baby is About
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Your baby is now about 10cm — the size of an apple — and weighs around 70 grams. Bone development is accelerating, with the skeleton hardening from soft cartilage into real bone. The scalp hair pattern is also forming, which means your baby's future hairline is already being determined. Eyes are still sealed shut but are now sensitive to light — if you shine a torch at your bump, your baby will move away from it.
Between Weeks 15 and 20, a quad screen or AFP blood test may be offered as a second round of screening for chromosomal conditions and neural tube defects. This is optional and separate from the first trimester screening. If you opted for NIPT in the first trimester, you may not need this one — your provider will guide you.
Your baby can now make breathing movements — they're actually inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid to strengthen the muscles they'll need for their first breath of real air. The lungs develop partly through this fluid movement, and babies who do more practice breathing in the womb tend to have stronger lungs at birth.
Round ligament pain — sharp, stabbing pain on one or both sides of your lower abdomen — often starts around this time and can be alarming the first time it happens. It's caused by the ligaments supporting your uterus stretching rapidly and is completely harmless. Moving slowly when you stand up or turn over in bed helps. If the pain is persistent or comes with other symptoms, check with your provider.
Calcium absorption peaks in the second trimester as your baby's bones harden. Pair calcium-rich foods with vitamin D for better absorption — fortified milk, salmon, eggs, and some sunshine all help.
Round ligament pain can strike suddenly and be alarming — make sure you both know what it is so neither of you panics when it happens.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. Read full disclaimer