Get ready for tremendous growth at the beginning of this week as your baby is getting into double the size. This is due to the overdrive of the pregnancy hormones that even makes you notice hazy feelings known as the ‘pregnancy brain’.

"Now, you are in the 6th month of your pregnancy and have three months left for delivery"

Still, the queries in mind will change for each week and trimester of the pregnancy stage. This week, you probably witnessed all the changes in your baby's growth significantly. Being a little cautious about health and activities is highly essential. In addition, proper prenatal visits and the right medications ensure perfect health for you and your baby. Similar to other weeks, you are about to learn hormonal changes, symptoms, checklists, and many other things given below.

Fetal Development at Week 23

This week about to show some serious weight gain your baby is around a pound and 11 inches long. Moreover, your baby doubles up this weight in the next week, which makes you feel tough. The baby's skin looks saggy since it grows faster than fat and later the fat fill in the places. By the time the baby is born, their body and cheeks look fluffy due to this fat gain.

"The baby’s organs and bones become visible due to the fat deposit in the body"

In this stage, you can even hear the heartbeat of your baby with the help of an ultra-scanner. Even with the help of a stethoscope you and the doctor can hear the heartbeat of the baby. These changes bring you mixed emotions in the 23rd week of pregnancy.

Your Body at Week 23

In this week of pregnancy, you can witness stretch marks in the belly, thighs, and skin significantly. Further, there are possibilities for swellings and pains in your feet or ankles. There is a constant increase in the appetite as your baby also tastes the foods. The baby's lungs are ensuring complete developments that make you feel their movement. The growing bump and swelling foot bring extreme discomfort to your body. The clothes and shoes become unfit due to the gradual weight gain in your body. An average weight gain of 12 to 15 pounds will come during this stage of the pregnancy. There is frequent production of colostrum that occurs in your breasts. You need not worry about this colostrum that never brings you any side effects further.

Hormonal Changes at Week 23

There is a gradual decrease in the hormonal changes in the body whereas the symptoms are also very less. Still, certain hormone production affects your body and makes you feel discomfortable. However, mood swings are the common thing that occurs in the 23rd week of pregnancy. Due to hormonal fluctuations, you can experience this in the first and last trimesters. A study found that plasma production is high this week, which is the reason behind the symptoms. Apart from this, certain changes in estrogen and progesterone may cause some other symptoms.

Week 23 Pregnancy Symptoms

As said earlier, due to the fewer hormonal fluctuations the symptom occurs in very less time. Still, you can witness certain symptoms in the body that are given below.

Swelling in feet – due to hormonal productions, swelling in feet and ankles occurs often. Use hot water massage to get rid of the pain and discomfort immediately.

Colostrum Production – for a few women the yellow color colostrum is discharged from the breast. It also occurs due to hormonal fluctuations in the body but never makes you witness any pain. 

Increased Appetite – Your baby is started tasting your food in this stage such as the amniotic fluid. In that instance, there becomes an increase in your hunger and makes you crave more foods.

Nasal Congestion – as the baby's development is ensured at each stage the body weight of the mother is increasing. It is one of the significant reasons behind the nasal congestion of the mother.

Snoring – as the baby is kicking and moving inside the womb it makes the mom feel restless. Due to this reason, she snores loudly during sleep, medications are availing for this.

Frequent Urination – the baby has to swim inside the water of the womb, which is the reason behind drinking more water. It will surely lead to frequent urination that brings waste water outside.

Week 23 Pregnancy Checklist

A pregnancy checklist is mandatory for mothers to keep them both physically and emotionally healthy. For this reason, you should follow the things given below for better results.

Ensure Physical Activities – indulge in some routines like workouts or walking that keep you brisk the whole day. 

Take Proper Food – consuming good foods rich in protein and fiber renders the essential nutrients for you and your baby.

Indulge Water Often – drinking water is one of the prominent choices to get rid of all the symptoms. It also helps in keeping your body hydrated the whole day.

Engage With Positive People – being surrounded by positive people is essential to ensure good mental health. Try to engage yourself with your favorite friend or family member for the betterment

Share With your Partner – share the movements and heartbeat of the baby with your partner. Having such memorable times are possible only during the pregnancy stage.

Winding Up!

Finishing this article with more information regarding the 23rd week of pregnancy. Ensure all the things given above to gather knowledge about the things happenings. So, there is no need to worry about health, if you get clear about the things that are given.