At 23 weeks pregnant, you are a little past halfway through pregnancy. Many people describe this as about 5 and a half months pregnant, but weeks are the more accurate way to track gestational age.
Movements are often clearer now, and some people start noticing a predictable sleep-wake pattern. The baby is also practising breathing, swallowing and sucking, even though those actions are still preparation for life after birth.
Week 23 follows 22 weeks pregnant and belongs to the second trimester. Next, read about 24 weeks pregnant, when glucose screening and repeat tests may start to matter more for some pregnancies.
The fetus often weighs around 500-600 g and may measure close to 28-30 cm, though size varies. The skin is still wrinkled and semi-transparent, and the baby may look red because blood vessels show through more easily.
Sensory areas of the brain continue to develop, and the baby may respond more clearly to sound, movement and taste. Fat stores are beginning to build, which will help with temperature regulation later.
The baby is moving in a more coordinated way, opening and closing the eyelids and sometimes sucking fingers or toes. If your movements feel more obvious, that does not mean they must follow a fixed pattern yet.
Braxton Hicks contractions may start around this time. They feel like brief tightening or hardening of the uterus and are usually irregular and not painful. Dehydration, sex, exercise or a long day can make them more noticeable.
Heartburn, swelling in the feet or ankles, nasal congestion, appetite changes, backache and sleep problems are also common. Some people notice colostrum, the early milk-like fluid that may leak from the breasts.
Call your healthcare professional if contractions become regular, painful or frequent, if you have vaginal fluid leakage, bleeding, severe pain, reduced movement later in pregnancy, or symptoms that worry you.
Twenty-three weeks pregnant is often described as about 5 and a half months pregnant. Weeks are more precise than months, so providers usually keep using week-based dating.
At 23 weeks pregnant, you are in the second trimester.
Braxton Hicks are usually irregular tightening or hardening of the uterus. They are often painless and can happen after exercise, sex, dehydration or a busy day. Regular painful contractions need medical advice.
Size estimates vary, but the fetus is often around 28-30 cm long and may weigh close to 500-600 g. Many guides compare the baby with a mango or doll.
Yes. Swelling, heartburn, nasal congestion, appetite changes and mild backache are common in the second trimester. Sudden or severe swelling, pain, headache or shortness of breath should be checked.
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