23rd Week Of Pregnancy

Baby development: How is your baby growing when you are 23 Week Pregnant?

Your baby is still small enough to move around freely in the womb, but by this stage many have already settled into a head-down position. This is the best position for birth but if she’s still head-up, there’s plenty of time for her to turn. You may have noticed that she already has regular waking and sleeping times, and she might follow the same routine after the birth. She might also become more active if you play loud music or eat a sugary snack, like ice cream, proof that she’s becoming more connected to the outside world.

23 Weeks Pregnant: baby and body development

You’re probably feeling fetal movement throughout the day now that your baby’s getting bigger. And as she grows, your body has to make room. Your stomach will have less space to expand, meaning you may suffer heartburn and indigestion, especially at night. Add to that the fact that pregnancy hormones can slow digestion making your tummy troubles even worse. Slight swelling may make your shoes uncomfortable.

Your back may also ache with the added weight of your baby bump. Your bladder is also suffering from the space crunch, so expect plenty of potty breaks. Even if your bowels aren’t quite regular these days, your baby may be settling into a regular routine—more active at night, for instance, while quieter during the day. All of her internal systems are in place, even if they do need more time to mature. Her vestibular system—the area in the brain responsible for sensing movement—is one of the first parts of the brain to mature and it is already actively sensing all your movements. At the same time, Baby’s hearing continues to develop and sharpen. Studies show that infants who are exposed to certain loud noises in the womb (like dog barks or the dryer beeping) are less likely to be startled by them once they are born.

Wow! Did you know…

Your baby’s hair is starting to darken to the color it’ll be at birth, although chances are this baby fluff will fall out in the early weeks and be replaced by hair of a totally different color.

Body changes and symptoms during 23rd week of pregnancy

You’re carrying around a pint of amniotic fluid, and the entire amount is completely refreshed every three hours. That’s just one reason why it’s important to stay hydrated in pregnancy. Your belly button may be flattening or even popping out by now. Yes, it looks weird, but it’ll get back to normal after the birth. You might be experiencing regular Braxton Hicks (practice contractions) at this stage. They help to prepare your cervix for labor, and often become stronger if you exercise, have sex or even become slightly dehydrated. By now, you should be feeling your baby move regularly, and so should your other half, if he places his hand on your bump.

Your Body changes during 23rd week of pregnancy

As your bump grows, it’s common for your skin to feel dry, stretched and itchy. Keeping your skin moisturized can help to ease the discomfort; olive oil is renowned for its skin-soothing effects. But intense itching, particularly on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, can be a sign of obstetric cholestasis, a rare but serious pregnancy-related liver condition. So always mention itchiness to your doctor. She can arrange a simple blood test to be on the safe side. This week marks an important milestone—if Baby were born this week, she would have a chance at survival. According to the March of Dimes, of all babies born at 23 weeks, 25 to 35 percent survive. This number goes up considerably when you add just a couple weeks: roughly 50 to 70 percent of all babies born at 24 to 25 weeks survive. And 90 percent of all babies born at 26 to 27 weeks survive.

What to do during 23rd week of pregnancy..

That’s not a baby in there, it’s an amateur boxer pummeling your guts. Her punches, jabs, and kicks are so frequent now that your family and friends can see them (and your internal organs and rib cage are taking a beating). Since there’s still room to move, that little guy or gal is using it all! Somewhere around now, you may have an internal exam to check your cervix for risk of preterm labor. Don’t fret—though that’s easier said than done. Pregnancy tends to heighten and rollercoaster your emotions: the worry becomes a full-on anxiety attack, the happy feelings become unstoppable elation. And all these ups and downs (plus the sore ribs) have a not-so-good effect on your sleep, which is why you’re reading this at 4:30 in the morning 😛 .

Have you started thinking of a name for your baby? Today almost anything goes, from unique and one-of-a-kind names to old-fashioned names from back in the day. Sit down and discuss favorites with your partner. Be thoughtful of each other’s ideas, suggestions, likes and dislikes. But most important, don’t argue over baby names. The right name will come!

This Week: Headed for Bed Rest? Wait—was that a contraction? Roughly seven percent of all pregnant women experience preterm labor—sometimes in the second but more often in the third trimester. Any contractions that cause the cervix to open before week 37 are considered preterm labor. A lot of times managing early contractions is as easy as drinking more water and going to bed early. But if your labor pains are more severe—or if you have other complications—you might be headed for bed rest. With your feet raised and your body relaxed, there’s less pressure on your cervix.

Lying down also aids blood flow, making it easier for your heart to do its thing. When bed rest alone doesn’t prevent preterm labor pains, there are drugs. And if drugs don’t work, you may be hospitalized so you can be under constant care. While it might sound sort of nice to lie in bed all day eating bonbons, watching TV, and checking email, the truth is that bed rest gets old pretty quick. If you find yourself headed for bed rest, be sure to keep our bed rest survival guide by your side.

What Your Partner need to do – Your Relationship with Baby

The first few months of fatherhood can often be the most difficult. Your baby arrives, and along with him or her comes expectations of what being a father will be like. Many of these expectations involve holding your baby and immediately feeling a strong connection and a powerful sense of love. While that will undoubtedly happen, it may take a bit longer to connect than you originally thought. Instead of a few days, it can sometimes take a few months.

Even once your baby is born, you might feel a little empty inside. Of course, you know the baby you’re holding is yours, but he or she may not yet feel like your baby. (You know that you love your baby, but you just may not quite feel it yet.) This isn’t unusual, and often fathers find themselves feeling afraid, stressed by financial pressures, and exhausted from lack of sleep. This can all lead to many new dads feeling inadequate or useless as fathers. These difficult feelings can be exacerbated if you’re working outside the home while your spouse is taking care of Baby full-time. The sad truth is many fathers have this experience but are afraid to talk about it.

A lack of discussion can foster a sense of shame and may promote a feeling that bonding confirms a “bad” father (or mother). Instead of getting upset and giving up, strive to remain involved and you’ll lay the groundwork for developing a bond with your baby. (Know that if you experience these feelings, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad father or that you don’t or can’t love your child.) In time, you and Baby will build a distinct and unbreakable connection. One day, you will look at your little one’s face and see a certain expression or hold her, and something will flutter in your chest. Before you know it, you will feel such a strong connection you’ll have trouble remembering life when you didn’t.

Content provided on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.