23 Weeks Pregnant : What to Expect
At 23 weeks pregnant, both mom and baby should be gaining weight. Mom should also be going on regular antenatal check-ups to ensure both mom and baby are doing well and are healthy. As the second trimester comes closer to its end, these prenatal testing procedures with your healthcare practitioner are critical to keep track of baby’s growth and development, as well as mom’s growth and development.
Symptoms and Body Changes at 23 Weeks
As your baby becomes more active, you’ll notice him or her kicking, hitting or punching you more often. As your stomach muscles continue to stretch, your uterus rises about 1 ½ inches above your belly button. Depending on what your weight was last week, you should’ve gained anywhere between 1/2 -1 pound by now. The increase in blood volume in your lower part of your body will cause you to urinate more frequently, or at least make you feel like you need to use the restroom more frequently. The increased amount of blood flow will also cause some women to experience vaginal discharges, however in most cases, these are normal symptoms. Continue to meet with your healthcare provider and ask any questions you may have regarding this weeks changes in your body.
Baby’s Development
Your baby is a little more than one pound as the 23rd week of pregnancy comes and goes, and has reached a length of about 11.4 inches. During an ultrasound you may think your little boy or girl resembles a small, red doll. If you look closely, the redness is actually transparent and is forming pigmentation at this stage. As the fat increases, the skin continues to remain loose, since skin is produced much quicker than fat. You may also feel kicks, hits and punches, as your baby moves frequently within the uterine walls. This can be a very exciting time.
Pregnancy Week 23 Tips
As an expectant mother, you should do your best to remain cheerful and happy. It’s important to remember that your baby experiences the same types of emotions, turmoil and events that you do. Seek support from a support group, family member or friends in this time of need. Even if you feel like most days are good days, having this type of support can help you get through your bad days easier. Another thing to keep in mind, is that all suggested lengths and widths of your baby and approximate weight gain of yourself, are suggestions based on medical facts and analysis. All women and babies develop at different rates, so these numbers should only be used as standard. Next is pregnancy at 24 weeks.
