Your unborn child is still translucent at 23 weeks pregnant, but as they store fat, this will soon alter. You’re well on your way there at 23 weeks. You may already have a noticeable baby bump and ankle and foot swelling.
Around this time, many also notice stretch marks on their thighs, breasts, and bellies. Around this period, many people experience a rise in appetite, which is fantastic because it indicates the Baby is growing. What else can you expect at 23 weeks pregnant?
How Many Months Are There After 23 Weeks?
A woman who is 23 weeks pregnant is almost six months along, considered the second trimester.
23 Weeks and Your Baby
Fun fact: At 23 weeks, your Baby is still translucent, but as it accumulates fat, that will soon change. Here are a few more intriguing baby-related developments from this week.
Practice breathing: According to the National Library of Medicine, a baby’s lungs create blood vessels to aid breathing. (They breathe amniotic fluid when they are still in the womb.)
Significant growth: Your Baby will develop significantly over the following month, doubling in size in four weeks by adding roughly six ounces weekly.
Strong heartbeat: At 23 weeks pregnant, your Baby’s heartbeat is so loud that a stethoscope can pick it up.
At 23 weeks, how big is a baby?
This week, your child is 11.4 inches long and 1.1 pounds. That resembles Cher’s phone from Clueless in terms of size. The Baby Moves at 23 Weeks Although it’s still early, some expectant parents may feel the Baby move and kick; if not, don’t become alarmed. A couple more weeks may pass.
At 23 weeks, your body
You may be dealing with a lot right now, including leaking breasts, edema, and a constant want to urinate. Here is a summary of symptoms you might have at 23 weeks of pregnancy.
Symptoms Of A 23 Week Pregnancy
Leaky breasts: You might detect a small amount of colostrum, or pre-milk, dripping from your boobs as they transition from decoration to nursing. (Some breastfeeding pads might be helpful.)
Thicker Nipples: Additionally, your nipples can start to brown and protrude more. Normal. Once you’ve finished nursing, they’ll return to being a lighter color.
Enlarged Ankles and Feet: Pregnant people frequently retain water, which results in moderate edema. Put your feet up when you’re sitting, switch positions frequently, and work out often to combat it. Additionally, even though it goes against logic, drink a lot of water to lower your chance of water retention. As preeclampsia could be present, severe or sudden swelling should be taken seriously. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you have any concerns.
Unusual Desires: Food cravings are common among pregnant women, but what if you want something else? Tell your physician! According to the American Pregnancy Association, cravings for things other than food might occasionally indicate a disorder called pica. It may indicate low iron or another nutritional deficiency if you have an odd food craving for dirt, clay, or salt. Your doctor can do tests and administer treatments to help you feel better and resume cravings for products like ice cream.
Frequently Using The Restroom: Your infant is old enough to begin pressing against your bladder. The need to urinate often or leak a bit is highly typical.
The beginning of pregnancy symptoms at week 24
Here’s what you have as your pregnancy enters 4 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
Kegels may help a weak pelvic floor. The muscles that surround the vaginal and anal regions, which make up the pelvic floor, become more vulnerable during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids and poor bladder control are two frequent complaints that can benefit from kegel exercises. Best Pregnancy Books of 2023
Discharge: An increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy is typical. Keep an eye out for a fishy odor, a colorful discharge, itching, or continually clear fluid, advises board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Malavika Prabhu. Dr. Prabhu states, “I believe that any discharge that differs from the patient’s regular baseline necessitates a call to the doctor, midwife, or OB physician.” It will be assessed if these alterations are typical or concerning.
Your healthcare professional will decide if these changes are typical or concerning. Everything is dependent on the situation, she explains.
Gaining weight: Up until your due date, your weight increase should remain constant at around a pound per week. At 23 weeks, the fundal height, or the space between your pubic bone and the top of your uterus, is typically between 21 and 25 cm.
