• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Pregnancy at 23 Weeks

July 27, 2010 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

Children grow very quickly; just ask any mother or grandmother. By the time you reach your 23rd week of pregnancy, you may begin to agree with this common sentiment. Your baby is rapidly changing and preparing for life outside your womb. Although some days may seem to drag, changes are occurring within your body as it adjusts to the growing size and increasing demands of your baby. By 23 weeks, your pregnancy is past the halfway point and you may be eagerly anticipating your due date.

Trimesters

Average pregnancies include three separate periods, known as trimesters. Your 23rd week of pregnancy falls within your second trimester. Like the other two trimesters, this middle trimester includes numerous changes that involve both you and your baby.

Your Baby

Your baby weighs around 1.1 lbs at 23 weeks and measures about 11 inches long. He is starting to accumulate a layer of fat under his skin; however, he still has a wrinkled appearance. Your baby hears the beating of your heart and the rumbling of your stomach. You may notice your baby responds to loud noises by becoming more active.

Your Body

You may still experience occasional mood swings during your 23rd week of pregnancy. Although your expanding belly causes you to feel a little clumsy, you may find you enjoy this period of your pregnancy. You might notice some slight swelling in your ankles, frequent urination, heartburn and general discomfort. These changes may cause difficulty getting a good night’s rest.

Health Concerns

Your doctor may advise you to sleep on your side to allow sufficient circulation to the placenta. You may feel your uterus tighten and contract. These practice contractions, known as Braxton-Hicks contractions, help prepare your uterus for labor. These contractions usually occur randomly and don’t cause pain. Although you can expect slight swelling around your ankles, report any severe swelling to your doctor. Sudden or severe swelling in your lower extremities or slight swelling in your face and hands might indicate the early stages of pre-eclampsia, a serious condition that affects some women during pregnancy.

Self Care

Enjoy your normal activities as long as they don’t tire you out or cause discomfort. Set aside time to rest and relax, especially if you can’t get a good night’s sleep. Continue to eat a well-balanced diet. Wear comfortable maternity clothes that allow room for your expanding belly. Use gentle stretching exercises or yoga to relieve occasional back pain.

Photo Credit

  • the young pregnant woman on white background image by Valentin Mosichev from Fotolia.com

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Pregnancy

About ModernMom Staff

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

The Little Boy On First Base

To all the coaches, parents, and fans of little … [Read More...] about The Little Boy On First Base

Must Have

winter

Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

"It's beginning to look  a lot like Christmas..." The … [Read More...] about Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

Did you know?

Night Sweats During Pregnancy

Night Sweats During Pregnancy

How Long to Bake a Pre-Cooked Frozen Casserole?

How to Bake Thin Sliced Turkey Cutlets

Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

How to Bake Frozen and Pre-Breaded Chicken

abdominal pain on the left side in pregnancy

Abdominal Pain on the Left Side in Pregnancy

Health Benefits of Drinking Kombucha

The Health Benefits of Drinking Kombucha

Tell If You Are Pregnant While Breastfeeding

How to Tell If You Are Pregnant While Breastfeeding

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2021 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.