You are now 23 weeks pregnant and at the beginning of week 24. Your baby has grown to be about 28 cm long from head to toe (11.2 inches) and approximately 600 grams in weight (1 lb 5 oz).
Your baby can now rotate their head and may experience hiccups, which are caused by the sudden, irregular contractions of your baby's immature diaphragm (the muscle that supports their lungs). While unborn babies may be capable of sporadic hiccups as early as 12 weeks gestation, they are generally stronger and more rhythmic by this stage of pregnancy. Some unborn babies hiccup quite frequently, others not much at all. Many newborn babies continue to hiccup after birth. You may sometimes sense regular 'jumps' in your belly every now and then for short periods of time, if your baby has hiccups. A very strange sensation!
Your baby is now covered with a thick layer of white vernix cream, which protects their skin in their watery environment and they now have sweat glands. A fine layer of fat is forming between their muscle tissues and skin, covering their blood vessels and making their complexion look less translucent.
What is my body doing at 23 weeks?
As ever, expect some changes to your body this week, even ones you may not see. That good old baby brain - the forgetfulness many women experience during pregnancy - might be particularly prevalent this week, as a result of pregnancy hormones and tiredness. Don’t worry, though - your memory will be as good as new once you’ve given birth. If you’re keen to do something about it, try to consume lots of Omega 3-rich foods to support healthy brain function and development for both you and your baby - and write lots of notes, whether on your phone or in a book, to stop you forgetting important details!
Common symptoms to look out for:
Restless legs
A few women experience restless legs during their pregnancy. This can include sensations that your legs have to move all the time, or that they feel jittery or like they have 'butterflies' in them. Some women's legs ache and feel like they have to be constantly walking. Restless legs can make it difficult to sit for long periods and can stop you from sleeping well at night.
Emotional reactions
As your belly grows you may start to wonder what your baby will look like and if they are a boy or girl (if you don't know already!) You could imagine them having your eyes or hair colour, or perhaps that of your partner or other relatives. Some parents aren't particularly attracted to other babies and a few wonder if theirs will be unattractive. Fortunately, most parents think their own baby is gorgeous! As a variety of possibilities are considered, you might begin to create an image of your ideal baby. You may even have dreams about what they will look like.
Other considerations
Belly piercing
If you have a belly piercing you may be wondering what you will do with your belly bar (or ring) as your belly grows, as well as the possibility of keeping the piercing open until after the birth.
Travel
Essentially, travelling during pregnancy by plane, train, bus or car is not a problem, but there a few precautions to be mindful of especially when covering long distances. There are also some practical considerations to think about when planning your travel. Some airlines do not permit overseas travel during the 3rd trimester (after 28 to 36 weeks) and you may need a letter from your caregiver to clarify how many weeks pregnant you are when flying.
Natural therapies during pregnancy
Colour therapy was developed by Rudolph Steiner and is based on the belief that colour has therapeutic properties that can alter emotions and psychological conditions to help restore balance and physical well-being. Colour therapists use it for anxiety, depression, stress, and other disorders. For example, to calm and soothe, treat stress or high blood pressure blue is recommended. For fatigue, depression and headaches, red is advised.
Dance therapy involves movement and rhythm to explore feelings and emotions. Many women enjoying belly dancing during pregnancy. In ancient cultures, women belly danced to show the mother how to pelvic rock her baby down and out - a skill that may be handy in labour
How big is my baby at week 23?
As we mentioned above, at 23 weeks pregnant your baby will be around 11 inches long, or the size of a large mango!
How big should my bump be at 23 weeks pregnant?
A typical bump at 23 weeks pregnant will measure anywhere between 21 and 25 centimeters from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus - of course, this varies depending on how big your baby is, and your pre-pregnancy body shape.
How many months is 23 weeks pregnant?
Learning how to count your pregnancy in weeks and months can be tricky, so don't worry if you haven't worked it out yet! By week 23, you're five weeks pregnant.
Your baby can now rotate their head and may experience hiccups, which are caused by the sudden, irregular contractions of your baby's immature diaphragm (the muscle that supports their lungs). While unborn babies may be capable of sporadic hiccups as early as 12 weeks gestation, they are generally stronger and more rhythmic by this stage of pregnancy. Some unborn babies hiccup quite frequently, others not much at all. Many newborn babies continue to hiccup after birth. You may sometimes sense regular 'jumps' in your belly every now and then for short periods of time, if your baby has hiccups. A very strange sensation!
Your baby is now covered with a thick layer of white vernix cream, which protects their skin in their watery environment and they now have sweat glands. A fine layer of fat is forming between their muscle tissues and skin, covering their blood vessels and making their complexion look less translucent.
What is my body doing at 23 weeks?
As ever, expect some changes to your body this week, even ones you may not see. That good old baby brain - the forgetfulness many women experience during pregnancy - might be particularly prevalent this week, as a result of pregnancy hormones and tiredness. Don’t worry, though - your memory will be as good as new once you’ve given birth. If you’re keen to do something about it, try to consume lots of Omega 3-rich foods to support healthy brain function and development for both you and your baby - and write lots of notes, whether on your phone or in a book, to stop you forgetting important details!
Common symptoms to look out for:
- Swollen ankles and feet: Yup, that old enemy is sticking around. Thanks to poor circulation in your legs, you might find our ankles and feet more swollen than usual, especially on a hot day. Try to exercise regularly to increase circulation, wear comfy shoes and drink plenty of water. If you notice any excessive swelling, contact your midwife or doctor as it could be preeclampsia.
- Linea nigra: The line that runs between your belly button and pubic area, known as the linea nigra, may be getting darker, and this is thanks to the same pregnancy hormones causing other skin discolourations around your bod. All these changes will disappear within a few months of giving birth, so don't fret.
- Feeling breathless: As your baby grows and your uterus expands, other organs will start to become squashed to make room for her. Your ribs will move upwards and outwards meaning there’s less room to take deep breath, which is why you can feel breathless easily. Gentle exercise, particularly pregnancy yoga, is a good idea, not just to improve your fitness but also to teach you deep breathing techniques.
- Bloating: If you’re constantly feeling full, blame your hormones. Progesterone causes the gastrointestinal tract to slow down digestion so that nutrients have more time to reach your baby. Unfortunately, this can be rather unpleasant for you! Drink plenty of water, eat lots of fibre and try to eat meals slowly.
Restless legs
A few women experience restless legs during their pregnancy. This can include sensations that your legs have to move all the time, or that they feel jittery or like they have 'butterflies' in them. Some women's legs ache and feel like they have to be constantly walking. Restless legs can make it difficult to sit for long periods and can stop you from sleeping well at night.
Emotional reactions
As your belly grows you may start to wonder what your baby will look like and if they are a boy or girl (if you don't know already!) You could imagine them having your eyes or hair colour, or perhaps that of your partner or other relatives. Some parents aren't particularly attracted to other babies and a few wonder if theirs will be unattractive. Fortunately, most parents think their own baby is gorgeous! As a variety of possibilities are considered, you might begin to create an image of your ideal baby. You may even have dreams about what they will look like.
Other considerations
Belly piercing
If you have a belly piercing you may be wondering what you will do with your belly bar (or ring) as your belly grows, as well as the possibility of keeping the piercing open until after the birth.
Travel
Essentially, travelling during pregnancy by plane, train, bus or car is not a problem, but there a few precautions to be mindful of especially when covering long distances. There are also some practical considerations to think about when planning your travel. Some airlines do not permit overseas travel during the 3rd trimester (after 28 to 36 weeks) and you may need a letter from your caregiver to clarify how many weeks pregnant you are when flying.
Natural therapies during pregnancy
Colour therapy was developed by Rudolph Steiner and is based on the belief that colour has therapeutic properties that can alter emotions and psychological conditions to help restore balance and physical well-being. Colour therapists use it for anxiety, depression, stress, and other disorders. For example, to calm and soothe, treat stress or high blood pressure blue is recommended. For fatigue, depression and headaches, red is advised.
Dance therapy involves movement and rhythm to explore feelings and emotions. Many women enjoying belly dancing during pregnancy. In ancient cultures, women belly danced to show the mother how to pelvic rock her baby down and out - a skill that may be handy in labour
What to do this week:
- Watch out for infections: In pregnancy, your body produces high levels of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes muscles, helping the uterus to expand. It also relaxes other muscles, including the ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys and bladder) and the sphincters that control the flow of urine into the bladder. This means urine can pass back towards the kidneys from the bladder, causing a urinary tract infection (UTI). As a result of this, be aware of any symptoms including pain and burning when you wee, blood in your urine and needing to go to the toilet more often. See your GP if you’re worried, and make sure you drink plenty of fluids to help flush the infection out.
How big is my baby at week 23?
As we mentioned above, at 23 weeks pregnant your baby will be around 11 inches long, or the size of a large mango!
How big should my bump be at 23 weeks pregnant?
A typical bump at 23 weeks pregnant will measure anywhere between 21 and 25 centimeters from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus - of course, this varies depending on how big your baby is, and your pre-pregnancy body shape.
How many months is 23 weeks pregnant?
Learning how to count your pregnancy in weeks and months can be tricky, so don't worry if you haven't worked it out yet! By week 23, you're five weeks pregnant.
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