Pregnancy week 23

Your baby’s development

At 23 weeks your baby is about the size of a mango. This week's theme is hearing: the inner ear is maturing, and your baby hears outside sounds, especially your voice and heartbeat, more clearly. A loud noise may make the baby startle. Blood vessels in the lungs are growing, and your baby practises the breathing movements needed after birth, using amniotic fluid. The skin is still wrinkled and slightly see-through, because there is not yet enough fat. Your baby keeps gaining weight. The bones strengthen and muscle coordination improves. Your baby yawns, turns, and moves in line with a sleep and wake cycle. At this stage a calm voice may soothe the baby. Measurements are averages; every baby grows at its own pace. Development moves at its own pace in every pregnancy; your doctor interprets ultrasound measurements, and small differences are usually ordinary.

Changes in the mother

As the womb grows, shortness of breath, heartburn and a heavy feeling in the legs can increase. Small frequent meals and sleeping with the head raised help with heartburn. Ankle swelling that is mild and increases slowly is usually harmless, but a sudden, marked increase, or swelling in the face and hands, especially together with a severe headache and vision changes, means you should contact your doctor right away. These weeks are a good time to ask your doctor about the glucose tolerance test done between weeks 24 and 28, which helps screen for what is known as gestational diabetes. You can talk through anything that puzzles you with your doctor. Regular gentle exercise can also ease back and leg aches.

To do this week

• Ask your doctor about timing and preparation for the glucose tolerance test (OGTT; usually weeks 24–28).
• If the second antenatal visit has not happened yet, set a date (usually weeks 18–24).
• Keep an eye on foot and leg swelling and raise your legs.
• Begin exploring the hospital where you might give birth.

Tip for the partner

Talking or singing to the baby together can bring you both closer to your little one.

Nutrition tip

Water or ayran can be good alternatives to sugary drinks.