The ultimate HerFamily guide to your pregnancy: Week 23
Week 23 – you're in the 2nd Trimester! Read more about trimesters here.
This week....
Your Baby
Is 29cm – approximately the length of a packet of spaghetti – and weighs around 500g. Oh, and that’s the shape of a hand or foot that you can see protruding through your bump.
Your baby is now able to control movements including thumb-sucking.
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.
P.S. If you have been constipated, you may develop haemorrhoids, varicose veins in and around the anal passage — what fun!
READ: Here are all the things the books SHOULD tell you about pregnancy.
Eating for two
The early morning sickness you suffered from at the start of your pregnancy is now probably long gone, and you will probably feel like you weight is steadily increasing from week to week now.
Try sticking to a healthy diet and fill up on fibre-rich, nutritious food which will help you feel fuller for longer – particularly if you are suffering from hunger pangs between meals. (But don't feel like a sneaky treat here and there isn't allowed – you are pregnant, mama!)
READ: This is how much weight you should gain when you are expecting.
Watch your back
Many mums can begin to suffer from backache when they get this far into their pregnancies, so do 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 – and bang on trend – flats.
READ: These five facts prove that pregnant women are total superheroes!
Now pop on over to week 24 and see what that has in store for you!
