At 15 weeks pregnant, your baby — now roughly the size of an apple or orange and measuring about 4½ inches crown to rump — is reaching key developmental milestones, including growing scalp hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes, and becoming capable of making facial expressions. For the mother, week 15 commonly brings breathlessness, gum inflammation driven by hormone surges, progesterone-related nosebleeds, and the onset of visible varicose veins, alongside continued symptoms such as heartburn, bloating, and lower abdominal pain from the expanding uterus. On the nutrition front, apples are highlighted as a particularly beneficial pregnancy food, rich in fibre, Vitamin C, B-vitamins, and the flavonoid quercetin, which acts as a natural antihistamine. A University of Aberdeen study found that mothers who ate at least four apples per week were almost 50% less likely to have asthmatic children.
- At pregnancy week 15, a baby measures approximately 4½ inches from rump to crown.
- By week 15, the baby is roughly the size of an apple or an orange.
- At week 15, the baby can wiggle fingers and toes, make facial expressions, and is beginning to grow eyebrows and eyelashes.
- Normal weight gain at week 15 is approximately half a pound one week followed by a pound and a half the next, with no more than 4 pounds gained per week.
- A study conducted at the University of Aberdeen found that mothers who eat at least 4 apples every week were almost 50% less likely to have asthmatic children.
- Apples contain flavonoids, and a deficiency of these phytochemicals is associated with bronchial hypersensitivity, lung malfunction, and asthma.
- Apples are a source of quercetin, a natural antihistamine, as well as Vitamins C and E, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, all relevant to pregnancy nutrition.
Pregnancy Diary Week 15
Discover your pregnancy journey
Pregnancy Diary Week 15
This week your baby is around the size of an apple or an orange. Find out what to expect for your baby and you right now, during pregnancy week 15. Also, learn about the nutritional benefits of apples during pregnancy.
Discover
How your baby is growing
What you can expect at this time
A beneficial food for your pregnancy nutrition
Pregnancy Diary Week 15: How Is Your Baby Growing?
Week 15 is another milestone for your baby. Since conception, your baby has grown a lot and in the next couple of weeks, you can continue to expect more changes to take place.
This week, your baby is about the size of an orange or apple. His size from rump to crown is about 4 ½ inches now.
The baby’s bones continue to lengthen and grow. The hairs begin to sprout on her scalp. The baby is now capable of wiggling her fingers and her toes. His eyebrows and eyelashes are now beginning to grow and the head is now resting on the neck. And lastly, your baby is now capable of making different facial expressions.
What you can expect
By now, your pregnancy can cause you a little breathlessness. This continues as the baby grows bigger because your uterus tends to push up to your diaphragm. This leaves a little room for your diaphragm to expand when you breathe.
The surge of pregnancy hormones in your body can cause inflammation in your gums and teeth. This makes the teeth and gums susceptible to bacteria and plaque. The surge of progesterone can cause nosebleeds and chronic stuffy nose.
Since your baby is getting bigger now, you can expect weight gain to manifest. It is pretty normal to gain a half pound this week, then a pound and a half next week.
Make sure not to gain more than 4 pounds every week as this can create negative effects to you and to your baby later on.
Pregnancy symptoms such as occasional headaches, dizziness and faintness as well as bloating, constipation, indigestion, heartburn and flatulence continue to manifest this week. Varicose veins are likely to appear this week due to the increasing pressure on the veins of your legs. Lower abdominal pains are very likely to be experienced this week due to the expanding and stretching uterus.
Apples For Pregnancy Nutrition
Fruits such as apples are one of the healthiest and safest foods to eat during this very crucial period. The fruit is exceptionally rich in fibre which makes it an effective aid in eliminating body wastes. Also, it is effective in preventing the onset of certain types of cancer including colon, liver and breast cancer. Through its pectin content, apple is effective in preventing the onset of diabetes.
Apples are also great sources of Vitamin C which is beneficial in developing the body’s resistance against diseases and in eliminating free radicals. Its antioxidant content makes an effective armour against cancer.
Also, apples provide high levels of B-vitamins including thiamine, pyridoxine and riboflavin which are scientifically proven to be effective in optimizing the functions of the organs and systems of the body. The fruit is also fortified with nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus and calcium.
A healthy diet for pregnant women is normally composed of fresh fruits and vegetables as they contain high levels of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that help in enhancing the baby’s brain and development. According to research, apples are excellent foods to eat during pregnancy.
As the saying goes, “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away”. Not surprisingly, eating apples during pregnancy is an excellent way to reduce children’s risks for asthma later on. In a study conducted at the University of Aberdeen, it was found out that mothers who eat at least four apples every week were almost 50% less likely to have asthmatic children later on.
Apples are said to contain high levels of phytochemicals known as flavonoids whose deficiency is associated with certain conditions such as bronchial hypersensitivity, lung malfunction and asthma. Apples are in fact excellent sources of Vitamins E and C which play vital roles in protecting the lungs. Also, this fruit is fortified with quercetin which acts as a natural antihistamine that relieves allergies and asthma.
Apples are not just beneficial to your baby. In fact, it can also help in easing your morning sickness. Apples are also said to be effective at regulating the level of cholesterol in the body. It lowers the cholesterol level and prevents the onset of high cholesterol.
Pregnancy Diary Week 15
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DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.
References
Selected medical studies relevant to this topic, reviewed by our clinical team.
- (2024). Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake Among US Women Aged 20 to 44 Years. JAMA network open. PubMed · DOI
- (2024). Association between Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy and Children's Neurodevelopment: A Birth Cohort Study. Nutrients. PubMed · DOI
- (2024). Maternal iron nutrition during pregnancy and fetal intrauterine growth. Nutrition journal. PubMed · DOI
How big is a baby at 15 weeks pregnant?
At 15 weeks, a baby is approximately the size of an apple or an orange, measuring about 4½ inches from rump to crown. The baby's bones continue to lengthen and grow during this period.
What developments happen to a baby at 15 weeks?
At 15 weeks, the baby begins sprouting hair on the scalp, and eyebrows and eyelashes start to grow. The baby can wiggle fingers and toes, the head now rests on the neck, and the baby is capable of making different facial expressions.
What symptoms should you expect at 15 weeks pregnant?
At 15 weeks, common symptoms include breathlessness, nosebleeds, stuffy nose, inflamed gums, occasional headaches, dizziness, bloating, constipation, heartburn, varicose veins, and lower abdominal pains. These are caused by rising pregnancy hormones and the growing uterus placing increasing pressure on surrounding organs.
How much weight should you gain at 15 weeks pregnant?
It is normal to gain around half a pound in week 15 and approximately a pound and a half the following week. Gaining more than 4 pounds per week is not recommended, as it can create negative effects for both mother and baby.
Why do pregnant women get nosebleeds and stuffy nose?
A surge in progesterone during pregnancy can cause nosebleeds and chronic nasal congestion. This is a recognised pregnancy symptom that commonly continues as hormone levels remain elevated.
Are apples safe and beneficial to eat during pregnancy?
Yes, apples are considered one of the healthiest and safest foods to eat during pregnancy. They are rich in fibre, Vitamin C, B-vitamins including thiamine, pyridoxine and riboflavin, and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus and calcium.
Can eating apples during pregnancy reduce the risk of asthma in children?
According to a study conducted at the University of Aberdeen, mothers who eat at least four apples every week were almost 50% less likely to have asthmatic children. Apples contain flavonoids, Vitamins E and C, and quercetin, which acts as a natural antihistamine that helps relieve allergies and asthma.
How do apples help with morning sickness during pregnancy?
Apples are said to be effective at easing morning sickness during pregnancy. They are also noted to help regulate cholesterol levels by lowering high cholesterol.