15weeks
pregnant

How your life's changing

One of the most exciting moments of pregnancy is feeling the baby move. Most women notice quickening, as it's called, between 16 and 20 weeks. You may feel these first wiggles as a flutter in your tummy. Once you realise it's actually the baby turning somersaults, make a note to tell your midwife at your next visit. Some women feel the baby move later or less often than others so there's no need to worry if you haven't noticed your baby moving yet.

Amniocentesis isn't routine, but it's often recommended for women over 35 and those with a history of birth defects. It's usually carried out at around 15 to 18 weeks. Genetic counsellors, on hand when you have the procedure, can explain the full implications of these tests for chromosomal abnormalities.

Your immune system is slightly impaired when you're pregnant so you may have noticed that you've had more coughs and colds than you normally would. Although, they are annoying and tiring, these sniffles won't harm your baby. Other infections that you may come across while you are pregnant such as slapped cheek disease, chickenpox or rubella can cause problems for your unborn baby depending on the stage of pregnancy when you catch it. But chances are you've already had these infections in your own childhood or, in the case of German measles, been inoculated against it, so you will be immune anyway. Shingles won't harm your baby but you should avoid other pregnant women - find out why.

See other BabyCenter mums' baby bumps at 13 to 15 weeks of pregnancy.