Right now with 23 weeks, you are in your fifth month. However, you should always keep a track of your pregnancy in weeks rather than months. The doctors will always ask and monitor your pregnancy in terms of weeks not months. Since your baby is growing, you would also experience certain changes.

Pregnancy Symptoms at 23 weeks

With progressing pregnancy you will have to deal with the changes it brings to your body and your personality. However, all of this change is temporary and the result of these changes is a beautiful cute little human being that you will love more than your life. Let’s have a look at what may happen to you this week.

• Fetal Activity: By now you have become quite used to the fetal movements in the womb. Soon you will start experiencing some hard baby kicks which might be painful at times.
• Enhanced Appetite: With the 23^rd week of pregnancy, you will start feeling a hearty appetite and that is so because your baby is also growing. Try to eat healthy snacks like whole wheat crackers, veggies, nuts, etc.
• Bloating: Apart from your enhanced appetite, progesterone leads the gastrointestinal tract to relax and slow down the digestion so that the nutrients reach your baby. Try to drink a lot of water to prevent bloating.
• Snoring: Due to nasal congestion caused due to extra weight and swollen mucous membranes, you would start snoring at your bedtime. Try and wear a nasal strip or use a humidifier to alleviate this.
• Bleeding Gums: Due to hormones there can be irritation to your gums which can lead to swelling. Avoid chewing any sweet gums and regularly brush and floss your teeth.
• Tingling Hands: Due to swelling it can put pressure on nerves in the wrist and cause the aching and tingling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Take frequent hand stretching breaks and make sure your writs are straight whenever you are working at a desk.

Your belly at 23 weeks

With the advent of the 23^rd week, your mind is fuzzy and you are experiencing certain new symptoms like swelling, rashes, etc. You will also be feeling warmer than usual. Also due to the extra fluid in the body and hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to blurry vision, changes to your eyelids, dry eyes, etc. In this week you have gained weight of about 11-15pounds.  You can now feel the kicks of your baby and can notice the times when it is asleep and the times when it is active kicking you vigorously. 

 If you are going into labor before the due labor time, it is called preterm labor. You may be at risk for preterm birth if you are carrying more than one baby, have a heart-shaped uterus, smoke, had surgery on your cervix or uterus. However, your doctor will keep a check on you if you have any complications.

The ultrasound at the 23rd week of pregnancy

If you will go for an ultrasound scan this week and see your baby’s face fully formed. During the second trimester, the doctor will call you for a prenatal visit only once a month however, the frequency will increase when you come closer to your due date. This is the perfect time for you to prepare everything as with time nearing your delivery you will have less energy and more appointments with the doctor. You will have your routine prenatal office visit next week in 24 weeks. You might have a screening test for gestational diabetes between week 25 to week 28.

23 weeks pregnancy tips

As you approach your pregnancy, you will be needing more and more tips.  Make sure you follow them so that you don’t have to worry about things later at the end of your pregnancy.

• Be friends with the sun

Sun exposure is necessary for you at this time as it triggers the production of vitamin D which is one of the most important vitamins you need currently and will need in the future too. Make sure to have thirty minutes of exposure to the sun every day.

• Prepare everything

Right now you have the energy and the time to do things and prepare ahead of time. Make sure you have consulted your health insurance so that you can start saving for the extra amount you will have to pay at the time of your delivery. Also, prepare baby stuff from now on so that nothing is left in the end. You can initiate by making a list and discussing it with your partner or a friend who is experienced.

To-Do List for 23rd Week of pregnancy.

• Take your prenatal vitamins properly this week.
• Try to put a little time on the top to get your daily vitamin D.
• Try and research the Family Medical Leave Act for both you and your partner.
• Talk to your doctor regarding the vision changes or other symptoms.
• Drink a lot of water and stay hydrated.