As you near your third trimester, we assume you are getting more and more excited to meet your baby. Week 23 makes your pregnancy bump more “prominent,” so prepare yourself for touches and comments on the bump.
Your baby is growing and developing very proactively inside you. What you felt like little flutters the last week are becoming more prominent and start to feel like “kicks” this week. Also, your body is undergoing many changes internally and externally, so embrace them as they come.
In this Article
What Changes will my Body Undergo?
The most noticeable physical change in your body is the bump. It becomes more prominent and visible to people around. Alongside that, your feet and ankles will appear swollen too.
Your body will gain up to 15 pounds to accommodate the growing fetus inside you. If you don’t notice substantial weight gain, consult your OBGYN for further discussions.
Stretch marks are still a prevalent occurrence this week too. However, now you might notice them on the thighs and breasts too.
As your body prepares for your child’s birth, you might notice your breasts becoming more tender. This is due to colostrum production. Colostrum is the first feeding of breast milk that your baby gets after birth. It is full of nutrition, antibodies, and nourishment crucial for the baby’s immune system.
What changes will my baby undergo?
Your baby is growing rapidly and is now around 8 inches in length. The length might be 11 inches when measured from the crown to the heel. Your baby likely weighs around 1 pound 4 ounces this week.
As your baby develops, they become more and more active. They build muscles, strengthening their skeleton as they prepare for their eventual birth. Your baby is ready to make their presence felt with more and more kicks this week around.
Besides their body structure, the baby’s brain grows and develops during this week. But, surprisingly enough, Week 23 is when the baby starts responding to light. So, if you are going for a scan, ask your technician to flash a bright light on the belly to check if your baby responds to it.
Your baby’s fingernails are visible during this week too. This is because your baby’s lungs are developing too. During your scan, you might notice the baby’s hair becoming darker and more prominent. It is called the Lanugo.
As per fruit comparison, your baby is now the size of a mango.
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What kind of symptoms will I experience?
This week is relatively light and comfortable on the mother as you get used to the weight gain and the swollen feet and ankles. Some common symptoms you might notice during this week are:
- A sudden increase in appetite
- Colostrum production
- Swelling in the feet and ankles
- Snoring
- Nasal congestion
- Frequent urination
- Hot flashes
- Blurry vision
- Dry eyes
- Irritation to the eyes
The symptoms are very standard throughout every woman’s pregnancy. So, prepare for it accordingly.
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What should I prepare for this week?
Since you are experiencing a sudden increase in your appetite, focus on eating smaller but frequent meals. Your baby needs a lot of nourishment during the weeks of pregnancy, so what you eat is what they eat.
Here are a few self-care tips for Week 23:
- Take your prenatal vitamins without fail.
- If you are hungry, switch to healthy snacking and eat a balanced diet.
- Avoid leading a sedentary lifestyle and instead indulge in some exercise in moderation.
- Since Vitamin D deficiency is common during pregnancy, try to soak in some morning sun this week.
- Finally, keep yourself hydrated to tame the hot flashes and discomfort.
- Eye and vision changes are expected this week. Consult your doctor for a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.
