During the twenty-third week of pregnancy, both Mom and baby should be gaining weight. Mom should also be going on regular antenatal check-ups to ensure that both she and her 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 keeping track of your baby’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 may have gained up to a pound by now. The increase in blood volume in your lower part of your body will cause you to feel like you need to use the restroom more frequently. The increased amount of blood flow will also cause some women to experience vaginal discharge, although in most cases, this is normal. Continue to meet with your healthcare provider and ask any questions you may have regarding this week’s changes in your body.
Baby’s Development
Your baby is a little more than one pound as the twenty-third week of pregnancy comes and goes, and has reached a length of about 11.4 inches. If you look at an ultrasound, you may think your little boy or girl resembles a little doll. Your baby is forming pigmentation at this stage, and as the fat develops, the skin remains loose, since skin is produced much more quickly than fat. You may also feel kicks and punches as your baby moves 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 stress can affect your baby. 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 more easily. Another thing to keep in mind is that the lengths and weights given for your baby in articles like this one, and the average weight gains of expectant mothers like yourself, are just that—averages based on medical statistics and analyses. All women and babies develop at different rates, so these numbers should only be used as rules of thumb. Next is pregnancy at 24 weeks.
Photo credit: Caitlin Arledge 23 weeks pregnant, ultrasound