When you are 15 weeks pregnant, you are entering the middle stages of your pregnancy. Your second trimester has just begun and you can relax a bit as the restrictions on your food and physical movements are not as fierce as the first trimester. But of course, you have to avoid bad diet as that may always affect your baby who is growing faster by now.
The baby grows her limbs fully by now although the skeleton is still spongy and yet to harden. Thus of course, there would remain certain restrictions on your movements. However, you can go out to work if you have a sitting work. Movements as little as possible are prescribed and vigorous movements like jumping and climbing are absolutely no-no.
The baby's eyelids are still joined together but she can sense light by now. The taste buds have started to grow too. By 15 weeks pregnant condition, the baby is about 4 inches long from head to toe although still curled on to her, and weighs 75 grams approximately. It is by the 16 weeks pregnant condition that the baby's intestines start growing. She is breathing with the help of the amniotic fluid surrounding her and this fluid provides the much needed nutrition for development of the baby's body, especially her lungs. Breathing of the amniotic fluid in helps develop the alveoli in the lungs from now on.
The mother thus has to be extremely careful about her diet. A lot of fruits and veggies are a must for the nutrition required for the growth. They provide the all-important micronutrients for development of the baby. A lot of proteins and carbohydrates are also required for the baby's growth. Thus, having easily digestible proteins as chicken and fish protein needs to be consumed daily by the mother. Of course, there is no denying that red meat is also required, but since it is a bit difficult to digest, it should not be consumed daily. At this stage, as the baby grows in size, there are chances of pressure on the intestine, stomach and rectum. So, there are chances of constipation. In order to avoid that, it is important to have food that digests easily.
Thus in 16 weeks pregnant condition, the mother still needs a lot of care and attention, although that may be lesser in intensity than the first trimester. In fact, this is the time to prepare for the third trimester that is going to be a really difficult stage for the mother. In order to remain happy, the mother needs to enjoy the food and company of the partner. A lot of reading helps her remain happy as well as relaxed. This is essential for the proper and easy growth of the baby. Reading also helps improve awareness about baby care during and even after pregnancy. Post natal care has its details and a well-aware mother can ensure the same. Thus, this is the time to really prepare for the tough challenges of growing with the baby in near and far future.
