Welcome to week 23 of your pregnancy! This week, your baby is as big as a grapefruit. Here's what else you can expect this week.
Your Baby
At 23 weeks, your baby is approximately the size of a grapefruit, weighing in at around 500 grams. Their senses continue to develop, and their little face is almost fully formed. Your baby's eyebrows and hair are beginning to grow, and their skin is transitioning from translucent to more opaque. Those tiny lungs are preparing for the big entrance to the world, practising breathing movements. Meanwhile, you're likely feeling those fluttering kicks and rolls more frequently now.
If born this week, your baby would have a small chance of survival with intensive neonatal care.
You
Are the rings on your fingers getting tight? Take them off. Your hands are feet are going to swell even further. Increasing weight means blood vessels in your legs can also swell, causing varicose veins.
You're probably becoming quite a pro at this at this point. Your baby bump is in full bloom, and your skin might have that sought-after pregnancy glow (though if you're still being sick, that glow might be just from sweat). Energy levels can fluctuate, so don't be shy about nipping off for a well-deserved nap if you can or if you have the support around you to facilitate one.
If you have been constipated, you may develop haemorrhoids or varicose veins in and around the anal passage — what fun. Speak to a pharmacist to give you some help finding relief with that.
More: Here are all the things the books SHOULD tell you about pregnancy.
Anything else?
Public maternity healthcare in Ireland is fairly comprehensive, and you can talk to your midwife or obstetrician about various birthing options such as a water birth for example. With the nature of maternity hospitals, none of those things are guaranteed, but often your healthcare team will endeavour to help you have the type of birth you'd like.
Many mums can begin to suffer from backache when they get this far into their pregnancies, so make sure you don't overdo things.
If you are sitting at a desk all day make sure you seat is adjusted properly, and keep an eye on your posture. Take regular breaks to give your legs and stretch, and for crying out load, now is the time to ditch the heels for some comfy flats.
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