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Trimester 2 · Week 15 of 40

Week 15 of pregnancy: Feeling Better

Hormones reach your skin, nose and gums. What linea nigra, melasma, a blocked nose and bleeding gums mean, and why your baby cannot hear you yet.

Last updated 28 September 2026

What's happening this week?

Many people feel noticeably better by now. The hormonal and blood-flow changes of pregnancy start to show up in unexpected places: darker skin patches, a line down the belly, a stuffy nose, nosebleeds and gums that bleed when you brush. These are common and usually harmless. Your baby is moving a great deal and developing fine hair, and although the ear is taking shape, hearing comes much later. If you missed first-trimester screening, ask whether a second-trimester blood test suits you.

Baby's development

Movements now look more purposeful on a scan: the baby may suck, grasp, stretch and even turn somersaults in the fluid, and movements are frequent and varied. They are still too small to feel for most people, particularly in a first pregnancy. The bones continue to harden, so the skeleton shows up more clearly on ultrasound.

Lanugo, a fine, soft hair, starts to appear over the body at around 15–20 weeks, and most of it is shed before birth. The lungs are about to move from their early branching stage into the next stage of development, at around 16–17 weeks, though they will not be ready to breathe air for many weeks yet and will keep maturing into the third trimester.

The middle and inner ear are well formed by about 15 weeks, but they are not yet working. You may read that babies start hearing now; that is overstated. The earliest responses to sound, and only to low tones in some babies, are seen at around 19 weeks, and reliable responses come much later, from about 24–28 weeks.

Your baby's size

About the size of an avocado

10.1 cm

4.0 in · Length

70 g

Weight

Week 15

Gestational age

This week's 10.1 cm is a crown–rump figure, with a typical range of about 10–11 cm; 70 g is an estimated average. Healthy babies commonly weigh more than 10% above or below the average, so small differences between your scan and a chart are not meaningful.

Your body this week

Pregnancy hormones stimulate the skin's pigment cells. Many people notice a dark line down the middle of the abdomen, called linea nigra, and darker nipples. Some develop melasma, also called chloasma: patchy brown areas on the cheeks, forehead or upper lip. It is more common in darker skin and gets worse with sun exposure.

Pregnancy changes also make the lining of the nose swell, causing a blocked or runny nose, known as pregnancy rhinitis, and sometimes nosebleeds. Similar changes make your gums softer and puffier, so they may bleed when you brush; this is called pregnancy gingivitis.

Many people have more energy now, which is why this stage often feels easier. Blood pressure is normally a little lower in mid-pregnancy, which can make you light-headed if you stand quickly. Mild itching of the stretching skin over your bump is common, and some people begin to notice stretch marks on the bump, breasts or thighs.

Symptoms you may notice

Every pregnancy is different - you may have some, all or none of these.

Blocked nose: Swelling of the nasal lining is common in pregnancy and is not an infection unless you also have a fever or feel unwell. Many combination cold remedies contain painkillers such as ibuprofen, so check with a pharmacist or doctor before using any.
Nosebleeds: Usually small and harmless. Sit up, lean forward and pinch the soft part of your nose for about 10 minutes. A nosebleed that will not stop, or frequent heavy ones, should be checked.
Bleeding gums: Softer gums bleed easily. Keep brushing twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss gently. See a dentist if bleeding or swelling persists.
Linea nigra and melasma: Harmless and common. Shade, a hat and sunscreen help limit melasma. Ask your doctor before starting any skin-lightening or medicated cream in pregnancy.
Mild itching: Stretching skin over the bump can itch, and a plain moisturiser helps. Itching of the palms and soles is different, usually appears later in pregnancy and needs a blood test, so report it.

Medical care and tests

Quadruple marker test
Only if needed
UK 14–20 weeks; US 15–22 weeks; India around 16 weeks
A blood test for people who missed the 11–13 week window. It gives a chance, not a diagnosis, for some chromosomal conditions, and a higher-chance result leads to an offer of further testing. In India it is suggested mainly for those whose first visit is in the second trimester.
Amniocentesis
Only if needed
US usually 15–20 weeks; India after 16 weeks
A diagnostic test using a small sample of the fluid around the baby to check its chromosomes, offered after a higher-chance screening result or for other specific reasons. Unlike screening it is conclusive, though the needle procedure has a small miscarriage risk, so the decision is yours after counselling.
PMSMA check-up day
Routine
9th of each month
Free, fixed-day antenatal check-ups at government facilities for women in the second and third trimesters, including a check by a doctor, tests and help with problems such as anaemia or high blood pressure. High-risk pregnancies are marked with a red sticker on the MCP card.

Continue your daily iron-folic acid tablet and twice-daily calcium tablets. If you have not yet had your deworming tablet, ask about it; the second trimester is the time it is given.

Nutrition this week

Vitamin C is needed for healthy gums and skin, and it helps you absorb iron from plant foods. Amla, guava, oranges, mosambi and lemon are rich everyday sources.
Have a vitamin C fruit with your main meals, for example guava after lunch, or lemon squeezed over dal, sabzi or poha.
Choose whole fruit over packaged juices, which carry more sugar and less fibre. A guava or a couple of amlas make an easy snack.
Wash raw fruit and vegetables well at home, and avoid pre-cut fruit or salads from stalls.
Pairing a vitamin C food with iron-rich meals, such as lemon with rajma or amla chutney with palak dal, also helps you get more from the iron in your diet.

Movement and exercise

Your balance starts to shift as your bump grows. Choose steady, low-impact activities and avoid anything with a high risk of falls, such as off-road cycling, horse riding or skiing.
If you feel light-headed, slow down, sit and drink some water; stop if dizziness, headache or chest pain does not settle.
Gentle stretches and slow breathing at the end of a walk make a calm cool-down, and swimming is a comfortable option because the water supports your weight.

Things to keep in mind

Keep up routine dental care; if you need treatment, it is safe to have it now.
Wear a hat or stay in the shade when out in strong sun, especially around midday.
Tell any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you are pregnant before taking cold, sinus or pain medicines. Paracetamol is generally the preferred painkiller; avoid ibuprofen and similar medicines unless a doctor advises.
Keep your antenatal appointments even when you feel well, because problems such as anaemia and high blood pressure can be present without symptoms.

When to contact your doctor

Call your doctor or midwife the same day if you have

A nosebleed that does not stop with pressure, or heavy nosebleeds that keep coming back.
Gums that are very swollen, painful or bleeding heavily.
Any vaginal bleeding.
A fever of 38°C or more.
Burning when passing urine, or pain in your back or side.

Get emergency care now if you have

Heavy bleeding from the vagina.
Severe or constant abdominal pain.
Fluid leaking from the vagina.
Fainting or collapse.
Chest pain or sudden breathlessness.

In India, call 108 for an ambulance, 102 for free transport for pregnant women in many states, or 112 for any emergency - or go straight to your nearest hospital with a maternity unit.

If something feels wrong, trust that feeling and call - you never need to wait for your next appointment.

Questions to ask your doctor

Is this skin darkening normal, and will it fade?
Which cold or allergy medicines are safe for me?
Should I have the quadruple test if I missed the NT scan?
Can I use the PMSMA check-up day near me?

Week 15 checklist

Switch to a soft toothbrush
Keep a hat or scarf for sunny days
Have one vitamin C fruit daily
Check any medicine label before use
Note your next PMSMA date or appointment

Frequently asked questions

Can my baby hear me at 15 weeks?

Not yet. The middle and inner ear are formed by about 15 weeks, but they do not work yet. The first responses to sound, only to low tones and only in some babies, have been seen at about 19 weeks, and responses become more frequent from about 24–26 weeks. Talking to your bump can still be a lovely habit for you and your family.

Is it normal to have nosebleeds in pregnancy?

Yes. Nosebleeds and a blocked nose are common in pregnancy because the lining of the nose swells. Most nosebleeds are small and stop with steady pressure while you lean forward. See a doctor if a nosebleed lasts a long time, is heavy or keeps coming back, and ask before using any nasal spray or cold tablet.

Will the dark line on my belly go away?

Linea nigra and other pregnancy pigmentation are caused by hormones and are harmless. They often fade gradually in the months after birth, though this varies from person to person. Sun protection helps limit darkening on the face. The line has nothing to do with the baby's sex; claims that skin changes predict sex are myths.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for care from your own doctor or midwife. Pregnancies differ, and timings here are typical ranges rather than deadlines. Read our medical disclaimer and editorial policy.