Pregnancy week by week · trimester 2
🍊 23 weeks pregnant: your baby is about the size of a grapefruit
At 23 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a grapefruit and may respond to familiar sounds with a wriggle.
Your baby this week
Your baby is around the size of a grapefruit, about 28.9cm long and 500g. They may respond to familiar sounds, such as your voice or music, with a wriggle or a kick. Skin is still quite thin and reddish, because blood vessels show through it, and it will fill out as fat builds. The lungs are developing branches that will one day breathe air, and cells that make surfactant, which helps lungs inflate, are forming.
You this week
You may feel your baby move more often now. Your body is working hard, and you may feel hot, sweaty, or puffier in the feet and ankles. Leg cramps, backache and difficulty getting comfy in bed are common. Some mums notice a white discharge, which is normal if it does not smell or itch. You might also have bleeding gums or a stuffy nose. Rest is not a luxury now, it is part of the job.
Kind things to do this week
- Sleep on your side, and use pillows to support your bump and back.
- Wear loose, breathable clothes if you feel hot.
- Ask about free NHS antenatal classes in your area, and book ahead if needed.
Questions to ask your midwife
- Where are local antenatal classes and when should I book?
- What should I know about pelvic floor exercises?
When to call your midwife or maternity unit
Once you have started to feel your baby move regularly, if the movements slow down, stop or change, contact your maternity unit straight away, day or night. Do not wait until the next day. Please also call if you have any bleeding, fluid leaking, a severe headache, changes to your vision, or sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet.
OBubba from bump to baby
Follow your pregnancy week by week, free.
OBubba is free through pregnancy, with a weekly update, kick counting and contraction timing. On the day your baby arrives, the same app becomes your baby tracker.
Questions
Should I sleep on my side at 23 weeks?
From 28 weeks, the NHS recommends going to sleep on your side, as it is safer for your baby. Starting now can help it feel natural, and do not worry if you wake on your back, just turn over.
Is swelling normal at 23 weeks pregnant?
Some swelling of feet and ankles is common, especially at the end of the day. Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet should be checked by your midwife straight away.
Not sure how far along you are? Use the due date calculator.
Sources
OBubba gives general information. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Your midwife and maternity unit are always the right people to ask, any time of day or night.