Pregnancy Week 23

Learn From the Specialists

What Your Baby is Doing This Week

Your baby is continuing to gain weight but his skin still hangs loosely from his body. He is working out daily by moving his arms and legs, touching all around and even wiggling his fingers and toes. As a result this week you will start to feel even more movement from your baby and you'll start to notice the times your baby likes to sleep and likes to be awake. Many mothers knew even in the womb which of their children would be the nightowls that didn't want to sleep through the night even in utero.

At this point your baby should weigh a little more than 1 pound (454 grams). If your baby were born this week, your baby would have a chance of survival with intensive medical care but could have mild to severe challenges.

What Your Body is Doing This Week

Many women start to find that second and third trimester can bring discomforts that make it difficult to get a good night's sleep including anxiety, frequent urination, heartburn, leg cramps, and other general discomforts. There are many things you can do to get a good night's sleep. Try a relaxing warm bath, listening to music or an audio book, reading a book or sit up in a comfortable chair with your feet up and enjoy a movie. All of these are ways to relax and get the rest you (and your growing baby) need.

At this point, many women are also told to sleep on their left sides so the blood flow to the placenta is not restricted in any way. Putting a pillow between your knees or even better, a body pillow is many pregnant women's best friend to relieve the pressure when you lay on your side.

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