15 Weeks Pregnant: Baby's Sense of Taste Developing

At 15 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of an apple (approximately 100-115 mm or 3.9-4.5 inches). Your baby’s sense of taste is developing, and they can now taste the amniotic fluid they’re swallowing. Bones are continuing to harden, and your baby is practicing breathing movements.¹

What’s Happening at 15 Weeks Pregnant?

Week 15 keeps you firmly in the comfortable second trimester. You’re likely feeling good, with energy to spare and minimal uncomfortable symptoms. This is an excellent time to tackle projects, travel, exercise, and prepare for your baby’s arrival.

Your baby is growing rapidly—gaining both length and weight each week. Movement is becoming more coordinated and frequent, and your baby is practicing all the skills needed for life after birth, from breathing to swallowing to sensing the world.²

You may start feeling first movements (called quickening) anytime between now and week 20, especially if this isn’t your first pregnancy. These early movements feel like flutters, bubbles, or gentle pokes rather than distinct kicks.

How Big is My Baby at 15 Weeks?

Your baby at 15 weeks is about the size of an apple or orange, measuring approximately 100-115 millimeters (3.9-4.5 inches) from crown to rump and weighing about 70 grams (2.5 ounces).³

Your baby has more than doubled in weight in just three weeks. The body is lengthening, and proportions are becoming increasingly human-like.

Baby Development at Week 15

Remarkable sensory and physical development characterizes this week:

Taste development: Your baby’s taste buds are functional and can taste the amniotic fluid they’re constantly swallowing. What you eat can influence the flavor of amniotic fluid, potentially influencing your baby’s future food preferences.⁴

Hearing development: Your baby may be able to detect sounds now, though hearing isn’t fully developed. They might hear your heartbeat, your voice (muffled), and loud external noises.

Light sensitivity: Although eyelids are still fused shut, your baby’s eyes can detect bright light if you shine a flashlight on your belly.

Breathing practice: Your baby is making breathing movements—practicing the muscle movements needed for breathing after birth, though no air is involved. These movements help develop the respiratory muscles and lungs.

Bone hardening: Bones throughout the body are ossifying (hardening from cartilage), making the skeleton stronger and more defined. This process requires calcium, which is why adequate calcium intake is important during pregnancy.

Coordinated movement: Your baby’s movements are becoming increasingly purposeful:

• Kicking and stretching
• Bringing hands to face
• Sucking thumb or fingers
• Grasping and releasing
• Turning and somersaulting⁵

Skin development: Your baby’s skin is still thin and transparent, but it’s developing layers and becoming less translucent. Blood vessels are visible beneath the skin.

Hair growth: Hair is beginning to grow on your baby’s head (though some babies are born with little to no hair). Eyebrows and eyelashes are also forming. Fine body hair (lanugo) covers most of the body.

Organ development:

• Heart: Pumping about 25 quarts of blood per day
• Liver and spleen: Producing blood cells
• Kidneys: Continuously producing urine
• Pancreas: Producing digestive enzymes

Sex organs: If you’re having a boy, the prostate is developing. If you’re having a girl, thousands of eggs are forming in the ovaries. External genitalia are distinct, and sex may be determinable on ultrasound.

Muscle development: Muscles are strengthening throughout the body, enabling more vigorous movements.

Common Symptoms at 15 Weeks Pregnant

Week 15 typically brings continued comfort and energy:⁶

High energy levels: Most people feel energetic and capable during this phase of pregnancy.

Minimal nausea: Morning sickness is typically gone completely by now.

Growing bump: Your bump is becoming more obvious as your uterus expands above your pubic bone.

Increased appetite: You may feel hungry more often as your baby’s growth accelerates.

Round ligament pain: Sharp, brief pains when changing positions or moving quickly are common as ligaments stretch.

Stuffy nose: Pregnancy rhinitis (nasal congestion) may persist throughout pregnancy.

Bleeding gums: Gums may bleed when brushing or flossing due to increased blood flow.

Heartburn: Your growing uterus may push stomach acid upward, causing heartburn or indigestion.

Occasional headaches: Hormonal changes and increased blood volume can trigger headaches.

Skin changes: The pregnancy glow, darker nipples, linea nigra (dark abdominal line), or melasma (dark facial patches) are common.

Increased vaginal discharge: Thin, milky discharge is normal and protects against infection.

Better sleep: With nausea gone and energy improved, many people sleep better in the second trimester.

Possible first movements: If this isn’t your first pregnancy, you might start feeling flutters or gentle movements this week or in the coming weeks.

When to Call Your Doctor

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Heavy bleeding or passing clots
• Severe abdominal pain
• Fever above 100.4°F (38°C)
• Painful urination
• Sudden severe headache with vision changes
• Sudden swelling of hands, feet, or face

Tips for Week 15

Maintain regular exercise: The second trimester is an ideal time for physical activity. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week (walking, swimming, prenatal yoga, strength training).

Eat a balanced diet: Focus on nutrient-dense foods: lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and healthy fats. Include calcium-rich foods to support bone development.

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support increased blood volume.

Address nasal congestion: Use a humidifier, saline nasal spray, or nasal strips. Avoid decongestant medications without your doctor’s approval.

Care for your gums: Brush gently twice daily, floss regularly, and see your dentist for a cleaning (safe during pregnancy).

Manage heartburn: Eat small, frequent meals; avoid trigger foods; stay upright after eating; and sleep with your head elevated.

Get adequate calcium: Aim for 1,000 mg of calcium daily through dairy products, fortified foods, or supplements.

Practice pelvic floor exercises: Kegel exercises strengthen pelvic floor muscles, which can help with labor and postpartum recovery.

Sleep on your side: As your bump grows, sleeping on your left side improves blood flow to your baby. Use pillows for support.

Consider babymoon travel: The second trimester is the safest and most comfortable time to travel during pregnancy.

Start thinking about nursery planning: Research cribs, changing tables, and other nursery essentials.

Tracking Your Pregnancy with Nooko

At 15 weeks pregnant, your baby is developing senses and practicing skills for life after birth. Tracking these milestones helps you stay connected to your baby’s remarkable development.

With Nooko, you can log your energy levels, appetite, and symptoms to appreciate how much better you feel in the second trimester. Track exercise, nutrition, and hydration to ensure you’re supporting your baby’s growth. Document your growing bump with weekly photos and measurements.

Access detailed information about your baby’s weekly development, including sensory capabilities like taste and hearing. Note any possible first movements—those early flutters are exciting moments to record. Plan for upcoming milestones like the anatomy scan. Download Nooko to make your second trimester memorable and well-documented.

Download Nooko on the App Store | Get Nooko on Google Play

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References

Footnotes

1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2025). “How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy.” https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy ↩

2. Mayo Clinic. (2024). “Fetal development: The 2nd trimester.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20046151 ↩

3. BabyCenter. (2025). “15 weeks pregnant: Symptoms, baby development, and more.” ↩

4. Parents. (2024). “Second Trimester Fetal Development: Week by Week.” https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/stages/fetal-development/second-trimester-images-of-your-developing-baby/ ↩

5. Cleveland Clinic. (2025). “Fetal Development: Week-by-Week Stages of Pregnancy.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth ↩

6. Mayo Clinic. “Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens first.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853 ↩