Pregnancy Week 23
Baby’s Growth During the 23rd Week of Pregnancy
Your baby at 23 weeks of pregnancy weighs just over a pound and measures 11 inches long. The organs and bones are visible through the skin, which has a red hue due to developing veins and arteries beneath but the pounds are starting to pack on and by month’s end, your baby will double in weight. Blood vessels in the lungs are also developing to prepare for breathing.
With your baby’s sense of movement well developed, your baby can feel you dance and move. And it’s possible that you might be able to watch your baby squirm underneath your clothes. The increasingly keen ears are preparing her for entry into the outside world allowing baby to hear loud noices that are becoming familiar like the sound of your dogs barking and the vacuum cleaner — noises that probably won’t bother baby when outside the womb.
Body Changes in the 23rd Week of Pregnancy
Poor circulation in your legs along with changes in your blood chemistry may cause some water retention these days. This water retention, known as edema, will be gone after you have your baby which is why you’ll pee frequently and sweat a lot for a few days after delivery. But to help in the meantime, lie on your life side and put your feet up when you can, stretch your legs when you sit, and avoid sitting or standing in one place for long periods. Exercising regularly may also increase circulation, and wear sport stockings and roomy, comfortable shoes.
You may be tempted to skip on liquids to combat swelling, but you need to drink plenty of water because staying hydrated actually helps prevent fluid retention.
If you’re suddenly sporting a dark line down the middle of your tummy, this is the linea nigra. This line has actually always been there, but you probably never noticed it until pregnancy hormones caused hyperpigmentation.
