Pregnancy Week 15 Development: What To Expect And One Beneficial Food

Your Baby's Development on its 15th Week

Week 15 is another milestone for your baby. Since conception, your baby has improved a lot and in the next couple of weeks, expect for 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 1/2 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 Can You Expect

By this time, your pregnancy can cause you 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 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.

Healthy Lifestyle for a Healthier Pregnancy

Pregnant women are facing a lot of uncertainties during their pregnancy. To reduce the risk associated with the mother as well as the baby's health, pregnant women are usually prescribed with supplements. Apart from this, doctors usually recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A fit lifestyle is comprised of a healthy diet, avoidance from alcohol and quitting smoking. These activities are said to be effective at reducing the baby's risk for certain conditions.

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'sresistance against diseases and in eliminating free radicals. Its antioxidantcontent makes an effective armour against cancer. Also, apples provides a 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.

Keeping a Healthy Pregnancy with an Apple a Day

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 sickness 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 anti-histamine 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 cholesterol level and prevents the onset of high cholesterol.