23 Weeks Pregnant: Milestones, Movement & More

Hey, supermom, big congratulations! You’re now officially 23 weeks pregnant! You’ve made it more than halfway through your pregnancy journey. And by now, you’ve likely experienced your fair share of ups and downs. But this new week may bring a few fresh surprises your way.

So, are you wondering what changes to expect at this stage? Or simply curious about what your little one is up to inside that growing belly? Then keep reading to find out all that and a lot more!

Key Takeaways At 23 Weeks Pregnant

By the 23rd week of pregnancy, your baby has achieved significant growth milestones. And this may leave you breathless or even in some pain & discomfort. So it’s best that you practice some sort of relaxation or deep breathing techniques at this time.1 You can also talk to your doctor if a particular symptom is bothering you too much.

Baby At Week 23

Your baby is probably as wrinkly as a raisin at this stage. Even though fat buildup has already started, there is a lot of loose skin hanging, giving that wrinkly appearance. They’d be doing somersaults, vigorously shaking their muscles, and you could often feel those kicks and jerks. If you observe your belly closely, you might even see those movements, which honestly look pretty weird (lol!).

By this time, your baby starts moving their eyes rapidly, and their palms and soles develop ridges. These ridges will go on to form fingerprints and footprints. Their lungs also form a substance called surfactant, which prevents them from collapsing and sticking together when deflated.

How Big Is Your Baby At 23 Weeks?

By the 23rd week of pregnancy, the weight of your baby is about a pound. Lengthwise, they measure about 28.9cm in length, which is roughly the size of a large mango. Notably, if your baby is born preterm at this stage, they may survive under medical supervision.

Pregnancy Symptoms At Week 23

Here’s a list of pregnancy symptoms which you might experience around your 23rd week of pregnancy:

1) Fatigue

Your body is constantly supporting your developing baby, who is now growing rapidly, so it’s natural to feel more tired than usual. The increased weight of your body, the sleepless nights (and possibly an iron deficiency) can all contribute to your fatigue.

2) Stretch Marks

As your belly rapidly stretches around the 23rd week of pregnancy, it’s quite common to experience stretch marks at this stage. That’s because your skin stretches faster than it can regenerate, causing the middle layer of your skin to slightly tear, leaving behind red, purple, or pink lines.

3) Melasma

Melasma, or the pregnancy mask, is common due to hormonal changes during the second trimester of pregnancy. It appears as symmetrical brown or gray-brown patches on cheeks, forehead and upper lip.

4) Tender Gums

Pregnancy gingivitis, or tender gums, is another common pregnancy concern caused by hormonal changes. As your pregnancy progresses and the progesterone levels rise, it increases blood flow to your gums, which can bleed easily even under slight pressure.

5) Round Ligament Pain

When the uterus expands to support your growing baby, it simultaneously stretches the ligaments, too. This causes pain on one or both sides of your lower belly. And the pain might be triggered or worsened by things like standing quickly, laughing, or even turning in bed.

6) Piles

Increased blood volume, pressure from the growing uterus and frequent constipation—all of these may contribute to swollen rectal veins or piles during pregnancy.

7) Backache

Your growing belly puts extra pressure on your back, and this may lead to back pains around the 23rd week of pregnancy. The problem of backaches can also be attributed to the hormone relaxin, which loosens your joints and ligaments.

8) Indigestion

By week 23, your relaxing muscles also slow down the digestive system. This causes slower passage of food along the digestive tract, leading to indigestion, bloating and constipation. Your rapidly growing baby also presses on the stomach, causing acid reflux or the infamous pregnancy heartburn.

9) Infections 

Pregnancy makes you more susceptible to infections like urinary infections and vaginal infections. Urinary infections become more frequent as the bladder doesn’t get the chance to fully empty itself under hormonal influence. These hormones also upset the pH balance of your vagina, which explains the increased incidence of vaginal infections (especially yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis) during pregnancy. 

10) Leaky Breasts 

Around the 23rd week of pregnancy, your body starts to produce the initial form of breastmilk or colostrum, which may start to leak from your nipples. It’s milky golden in colour and is rich in nutrients, which will be essential for your baby. Leaking breasts are an indication that your body is now ready to breastfeed your baby.

Your Pregnant Belly At 23 Weeks Of Pregnancy

Your belly becomes quite noticeable by the 23rd week of pregnancy. It grows about 1.5 inches above your belly button. And people tend to start noticing that you’re pregnant. By now, you’ve likely gained around 5.4 to 6.8 kg.4 However, if you want to ensure that your uterus is growing normally and your weight gain is on track, it’s best to check in with your gynaecologist.

Tips For The 23rd Week Of Pregnancy

Here are some tips to help you sail smoothly through your 23rd week of pregnancy:

Get Your Vaccinations

Check with your doctor about the necessary vaccinations which you must take in your 23rd week of pregnancy. Vaccines are an essential weapon that can help you and your child stay safe against several health conditions.

Protect Yourself From Sun Damage

As your skin becomes extra sensitive during pregnancy, you must try harder to stay sun safe. Sun exposure can also make your melasma worse, a condition which causes dark patches on your face and other exposed areas.

Swap Your Caffeinated Drinks

To prevent dehydration, cut back on tea and coffee and start drinking a lot of water and other healthy beverages. Consider swapping them for herbal tea, fruit smoothies, vegetable juice, milk, etc.

Plan Your Maternity Leave

The 23rd week might be a good time to start planning and applying for your maternity leave. You might want to reconsider your leave duration and whether or not you are planning to rejoin work after childbirth.

FAQs

Q1) What Is The Position Of The Baby In The Womb At 23 Weeks?

At 23 weeks of your pregnancy, your baby keeps changing positions from head down to feet down, or even sideways.

Q2) What Is The Baby's Weight In Kilograms At 23 Weeks Of Pregnancy?

By the 23rd week of pregnancy, the weight of your baby is about a pound.

Q3) Can My Baby Feel It When I Rub My Belly?

Yes, your baby can feel and even respond when you rub your belly.

Q4) How Many Months Is 23 Weeks Pregnant?

At 23 weeks, you’re about 6 months pregnant.