23-Week Pregnancy

Welcome to the 23rd week of your pregnancy! Your baby continues to grow and develop rapidly. This week, your baby’s senses are becoming sharper and starting to recognize your voice.

Size and Weight:
At 23 weeks pregnant, your baby is approximately 28–29 cm long and weighs around 500–600 grams. You can think of it as being about the size of a large mango.

Organ Development:
Your baby’s organs continue to mature. The lungs are developing and starting to produce a substance called surfactant. Surfactant helps the lungs open and fill with air after birth. The pancreas begins producing important hormones such as insulin. Your baby’s digestive system is developing and starting to swallow and process amniotic fluid.

Sensory Development:
Your baby’s senses are developing rapidly. They can hear sounds more clearly and distinguish different noises. They respond to sounds in the womb, music, and even the voices of mom and dad. They can detect light, opening and closing their eyes. Taste buds are developed, allowing them to taste the amniotic fluid. The sense of touch is also developing, enabling them to touch the uterine wall, umbilical cord, and their own body.

Movements:
At 23 weeks, your baby’s movements become stronger and more frequent. You can now feel kicks, nudges, rolls, and even hiccups more clearly. Feeling your baby’s movements is both exciting and comforting. Sharing these movements with your partner can also strengthen your bond.

Appearance:
Your baby’s skin is still thin and wrinkled but is covered with a white, creamy substance called vernix caseosa. This protects the baby’s skin from the effects of amniotic fluid and acts as a lubricant during birth. Fine hair called lanugo also covers your baby’s body.

At 23 weeks of pregnancy, many changes occur in your body.

Physical Changes:

• Growing belly: Your belly continues to expand, and your navel may start protruding.
• Weight gain: It is normal to have gained an average of 7–9 kg by this week.
• Breast growth: Your breasts continue to enlarge, and colostrum production increases.
• Skin changes: You may notice spots, stretch marks, or visible veins on your skin.
• Hair and nail changes: Your hair may become thicker and shinier, and your nails may grow faster.
• Other changes: You may experience varicose veins, edema (swelling), back pain, constipation, indigestion, heartburn, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, numbness in hands and feet, sleep problems, snoring, or leg cramps.

Emotional Changes:

• Mood swings: Hormonal changes may cause emotional fluctuations.
• Anxiety and worry: You may feel anxious or concerned about your baby’s health, childbirth, and parenting.
• Maternal instinct: Maternal instincts continue to develop, and your desire to bond with your baby increases. Feeling your baby’s movements helps strengthen this bond.

Eating a healthy and balanced diet during pregnancy is very important for both your health and your baby’s health.

Essential Nutrients:

• Protein: Adequate protein intake is important for your baby’s rapid growth. Meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts are sources of protein.
• Calcium: Calcium intake is important for your baby’s bone development. Milk and dairy products, leafy green vegetables, almonds, and calcium-fortified foods are sources of calcium.
• Iron: Your body’s blood volume increases, so your need for iron rises. Red meat, dried legumes, leafy green vegetables, and dried fruits are sources of iron.
• Folic acid: Folic acid intake is important to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Leafy green vegetables, legumes, grains, and folic acid supplements are sources of folic acid.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are important for your baby’s brain development. Foods such as salmon, tuna, walnuts, and flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Fiber: Consuming fiber-rich foods is important to prevent constipation. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are sources of fiber.

Foods to Avoid:

• Fish containing mercury: Avoid fish such as swordfish, shark, and mackerel that contain mercury.
• Raw or undercooked meat and eggs: Raw or undercooked meat and eggs can increase the risk of food poisoning.
• Unpasteurized milk and cheese: Unpasteurized milk and cheese may contain harmful bacteria.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can harm your baby’s development.
• Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and other pregnancy complications.
• Excessive caffeine: Excessive caffeine consumption can cause miscarriage.
• Processed foods: Processed foods are high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats and are unhealthy.

Your baby’s gender may have been determined in ultrasounds performed in previous weeks. If you have not learned it yet and your baby is in a suitable position, you can find out the gender during the ultrasound performed at 23 weeks of pregnancy.

A routine ultrasound is generally not performed at 23 weeks of pregnancy. However, your doctor may request an ultrasound to assess your baby’s development or to check for any potential issues.

At 23 weeks of pregnancy, it is important to take certain precautions to protect your health and support your baby’s development.

Signs of Preterm Labor:
At 23 weeks, the risk of preterm labor is still high. Pay attention to the following signs and contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of them:

• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Water breaking
• Regular contractions (every 10 minutes or more frequently)
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Back pain
• Pelvic pressure
• Changes in vaginal discharge

Braxton Hicks Contractions:
Braxton Hicks contractions are preparatory uterine contractions. These contractions are usually irregular, painless, and brief. They are not a sign of preterm labor, but if they become regular and painful, contact your doctor.

Other Recommendations:

• Avoid lying on your back: A growing uterus can press on major blood vessels when lying on your back, disrupting circulation and causing dizziness or fainting.
• Avoid tight clothing: Tight clothes can impair circulation and cause discomfort.
• Choose appropriate footwear: Prefer comfortable, flat shoes over high heels or pointed shoes.
• Moisturize your skin: Skin dryness and itching are common during pregnancy. Regular moisturizing is important.
• Take care of your dental health: Pregnancy hormones can make gums sensitive. Brush your teeth regularly and use dental floss.
• Sexual activity: Unless your doctor advises otherwise, you can continue sexual activity during pregnancy.
• Monitor your baby’s movements: Once you start feeling your baby’s movements, it is important to track them. If you notice a decrease or change in movements, contact your doctor immediately.
• Participate in prenatal exercises: Prenatal exercises help you prepare for labor and stay fit during pregnancy.
• Take childbirth education: Childbirth education helps you learn about the labor process and prepare for delivery.
• Start purchasing baby items: Buying baby items is both exciting and helps you prepare.
• Begin setting up the baby’s room: It is important to create a safe and comfortable environment for your baby.

A Life Health Group has a team of experienced obstetrics and gynecology specialists specialized in pregnancy follow-up. We provide personalized pregnancy follow-up services to our expectant mothers and their babies using the latest technology and methods.

Our Services:

• Obstetrics and gynecology specialist examination
• Ultrasonography (including detailed ultrasound scan)
• Prenatal tests (such as double screening test, triple screening test, glucose tolerance test)
• Pregnancy education and counseling
• Childbirth preparation courses
• Labor and postpartum services
• Breastfeeding counseling
• Baby care education

Have a healthy pregnancy with A Life Health Group!