Pregnancy – Week 23

This week you may feel a pain similar to a stitch down the side of your stomach caused by the uterine muscle stretching and which will go away after you rest. Bub can be felt through your abdominal wall and your health care professional may palpate your abdomen to see how the baby is lying.

Mum

Your tummy will be quite large now and its doubtful any of your pre-pregnancy clothes will be fitting. Make yourself comfortable in loose fitting clothes.

If your stretching ligaments are causing more than discomfort, mention it to your health care professional.

To ensure a quick recovery after the birth, it is very important to exercise your pelvic floor muscle as it will be stretched as a result of your pregnancy.

Bub

Baby will continue to develop in length and weight and his body is now proportioned more like a newborn. He now weighs around 500 grams (1.1 pounds) and is approximately 29 centimetres (11.4 inches) long.

His movements are becoming stronger. This might sometimes hurt as he moves and stretches inside your womb because he can turn from side to side and head over heels now.

Baby’s tiny heart is still beating at 140-160 beats per minute. The lungs are developing to prepare for breathing and skin pigment is now forming.

If born now, baby would have a small chance of survival with intensive care. Every day in the womb makes a big difference to the odds of survival from now on.