What’s happening to the mother in week 15 to 17?
During this period, the stomach becomes larger and most people will find that the stomach becomes visible to others. During this phase, some women start to become aware of their baby moving, but most find that this takes a little longer.
Due to the amount of hormones in the body, you may experience mood swings.
It is common for your nose to become more blocked than usual, due to swollen mucous membranes. You may also find that you are sweating more than usual due to the increased amount of blood in your body. You will also get out of breath more easily than before because your heart has to supply enough oxygen for two people.
Development of the fetus
By now, the foetus is about 10 cm long and weighs around 90 grams, but this can vary from pregnancy to pregnancy.
The foetus develops milk teeth early in the pregnancy and it is during this period that the development of the first permanent teeth begins.
During this period, the foetus will often start sucking its fingers. This helps to develop the sucking reflex, a crucial skill for nutrition following birth.
The foetus can move around, but the nervous system is still developing. The foetus is therefore not mature enough to make any conscious movements.