Week 15: Forget You

Welcome to week 15, Mama! Some of you are experiencing the emotional rollercoaster that is pregnancy, with daily emotional highs and lows. During this time, it is important to be reminded that each day is a new day. You will have days where you won’t feel like yourself. Many women even experience more forgetfulness as they get further into the pregnancy. You’ve probably heard this referred to as “mommy brain,” “pregnancy fog,” or “pregnancy brain.” This is a genuine occurrence where women experience memory loss or dulled memory during pregnancy and postpartum. It is a challenge to remember appointment times, names, and important dates. It may be helpful for you to keep a detailed journal or schedule book to keep track of important information. Continuing to place a priority on getting sufficient rest, activity, and eating well will help to keep your mind alert and help you through all aspects of the pregnancy. Remember that pregnancy fog doesn’t last forever, and you will feel like yourself again postpartum!

At 15 weeks gestation, your baby’s spine is no longer the characteristic c-shape during early development but is straightened. The head, body and limbs become more proportional to each other. Further, your baby’s skin remains very fragile at this point in gestation. It is so thin that you can see through it. It needs more time to build up layers to become thicker and more protective. As your baby begins to make uncoordinated movements, the amniotic fluid in your womb protects her from damaging her skin. Little fine hairs (lanugo) cover the skin, which also help to protect it and keep your baby warm as she grows. Incredibly, despite the skin being paper thin and her hand being the size of your pinky nail, your baby already has a unique handprint and footprint that are identifiable. She is wonderfully made.