What's happening in my body?

Things are tightening up in your tummy. Your baby is growing quickly and comes with a lot of packaging (the amniotic sac and fluid) and their own food supply (placenta). You could start getting the odd jabbing pain on the sides of your bump. It's known as 'round ligament pain', and putting your feet up and resting can help.

Your skin could also feel a bit itchy. Try rubbing an unperfumed moisturiser over your stomach, wear loose cotton clothing and have a cool bath. If the itching starts to drive you crazy, and particularly if it strikes at night, then see your doctor or midwife, as it could be the sign of a liver condition called 'obstetric cholestasis'. However, it's much more likely to be caused by your hormones.

That's pants!

Have you noticed a lot of discharge in your knickers? Many women get this. There's more blood flowing around your pelvic area and that can cause your body to produce more of the milky fluid called leucorrhoea that keeps your vagina clean and free from infection. See your doctor or midwife if:

• it changes colour – it should be clear, white or creamy.
• it starts smelling badly – it should smell slightly musky, not strongly of fish or anything else.
• it changes texture – for example, it starts going frothy or looks like cottage cheese.
• you get pain when peeing.
• you feel itchy or sore.

Any of these signs could mean that you've got a vaginal infection, so get checked out as this could be easily treated.

Thrush

If you have a vaginal infection, it's most likely to be thrush, which is a common yeast infection. Signs include a lumpy white discharge, itching around your vagina, and stinging when you pee or have sex. To help prevent thrush:

• wear loose cotton underwear
• wash with unperfumed soap, and try to avoid scented body washes
• avoid scented bath products
• steer clear of sex until it's cleared up There are more tips to beat thrush here.

Second trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 15 weeks)

Your pregnancy symptoms may include:

• swollen and bleeding gums
• pains on the side of your belly, caused by your expanding womb (known as 'round ligament pains')
• headaches
• nosebleeds
• bloating and constipation
• indigestion and heartburn
• sore breasts
• leg cramps
• feeling hot
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urine infections
• vaginal infections
• darkened skin on your face or brown patches – this is known as chloasma or the 'mask of pregnancy'
• greasier, spotty skin
• thicker and shinier hair
• symptoms from earlier weeks, such as morning sickness, weird pregnancy cravings, a heightened sense of smell, mood swings, a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)

Tommy's, the baby charity, has a further list of common symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or foetus, is around 10.1cm long from head to bottom, which is about the size of an apple. The weight is around 70g, which is the same as a small bag of salad.

This week, your baby has been busy growing a soft layer of hair, called 'lanugo', all over the body.The eyebrows and eyelashes are also starting to sprout.

Your baby's eyes are now sensitive to light. Although they're firmly shut, they could pick up a bright light in the world outside your womb.

Around now, your baby will start hearing too. Talk to your baby and they will probably hear you. They will also hear your heartbeat and any noises made by your digestive system.

This week's treat

Call a friend – connecting and being sociable with other people is important for your mental wellbeing. If you don't know many people, try chatting to someone at an online antenatal class. Chat about your symptoms, swap mocktail recipes… or just have a laugh and get your happy hormones working overtime!

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