You are 23 weeks pregnant.

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Born & Birth stories

This week your baby's length, from crown-to-rump, is approximately 8 inches! Your growing baby has finally reached one pound. Your baby is about the size of a small baby doll and looks very human. The baby's face and body look similar to that of a newborn at this time. Your uterus can be found about 1.5 inches above your navel. Your total weight gain should be approximately 15 pounds at this time.

You might notice some Braxton-Hicks contractions around this time. These contractions are not regular and they should not be painful. Braxton-Hicks contractions prepare your body for the upcoming labor and they will get stronger as your pregnancy progresses. You might be able to feel the contractions if you put your hand on your abdomen and your baby can probably feel the uterus gripping and massaging her. It will not harm your baby, so there is no need for concern.

Fat is still being deposited at a rapid rate, but your baby still looks red and wrinkled. Skin is being produced at a higher rate than the fat is, so the skin hangs loosely. Your baby looks red because the skin is losing its transparency and pigment is beginning to form. You should be feeling your baby moving quite a bit throughout the day as she will kick and punch the uterus walls. Babies also run their hands along the umbilical cord and touch their body parts while they are in the womb.

Your baby now can suck her thumb for real, where she was just sticking it in her mouth. Your baby will continue to swallow amniotic fluid and recycle it as urine. The liquids and sugars that the baby retracts from the fluid is a supplement to the nutrients that the placenta delivers. You might be able to feel small `jumps` inside of you when your baby gets the hiccups from swallowing fluid. The pancreas is developing and it will responsible for insulin production, to help break down sugars.

Oily fish in your diet could help boost your baby's health. (Women who eat oily fish while pregnant have children with better visual development, a major study at Bristol University suggests.)

As the baby continues to grow, it has less space to move around in the uterus. Bones, muscles and organs are growing steadily.

Comments on week 23

Comments 1-49 of about 1113 from week 23
28 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
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angela7011 - 1 hours ago
motay9383- thank you, ya no one seems to like it too much.

gobliness - 1 hours ago
First day in week 23! It seems to have been drama land on here. I hope everyone is doing better and those waiting on test result are in my prayers.

first babyboy - 2.5 hours ago
hey ladies, i am still waiting, they have a partial result back so i have to wait for the result via doc, but my last urine was 316 so i dunno. i am inpatient when it comes to this, i even tried to get them lol

lisset005 - 2.8 hours ago
I am still debating over this swine flu shot- my main concern is the affect it can have on the developing brain-they tested it on mice ans in 15% of cases the mice had parts of their brain that developed to be smaller--so I'm struggling with the thought of that happening...I'm a stay at home mom so my outside exposure is limited and I carry sanitizer spray and wipes with me everrywhere I go!

KelB75 - 5 hours ago
I got the swine flu shot about 3 weeks ago clara, and no side effects other than a sore arm. Baby is developing fine. There's been alot of debate over this, but it's a personal choice. It has eased my mind, so I'm glad I got it.

KelB75 - 5.1 hours ago
Clara -I think I commented about it a while ago when we were talking about cravings.. I was sad that I can't give in to mine :( oh well, it's helped to manage the weight gain!

clara16032010 - 6 hours ago
KelB75..... Have i missed one of your posts? Do you have gest. diabetes? I am going for my swine flu shot tom. morning - i just hope i am doing the right thing!

motay9383 - 6.4 hours ago
Angela i love sebastian, its an adorable name. i like preston too but everyone thought it was 'snooty' but i dont care... im namin him Camden Max and if no one likes it they can get over it lol

motay9383 - 6.5 hours ago
OMG, i will be 24 weeks on monday, and I have an apt for the glucose test! not lookin forward to drinkin the orange 'koolaid' but I am healthy and everything is going great, so no doubts here bout bein negative for gestational diabetes. lil man is kickin up a storm!

KelB75 - 9.3 hours ago
Congrats Mrsmacd! Balsamfir -take it easy, glad to hear you and babe are doing well! janice55 and firstbabyboy -sending thoughts and prayers your way. We're all thinking of you. A note on me: I had to give myself my first injection of insulin last night. It didn't hurt too bad but I didn't enjoy it!

Angela7011 - 10.1 hours ago
first babyboy- hope all is well.

Angela7011 - 10.1 hours ago
mrsmacd- so does that mean that you will get your baby back?

Angela7011 - 10.3 hours ago
janice55- please do keep us posted, i will be thinking of you and your baby. i hope all is well.

clara16032010 - 13.3 hours ago
mrsmacd... I am so glad everything has worked out for you in the end. Balsamfir.... also glad to hear your on the mend. You should get plenty of rest so everything heals well x

lisset005 - 14.2 hours ago
So we took our little one to Disneyland tonight since all the Christmas stuff was up- it wasn't too crowded which was nice and the weather was not too cold- we had a really good time! About 15 mins into our ride home I started getting horrible pain! Mostly concentrated about 2 inches above my belly button on both the right and left--it hurt all over like a contraction pain but with no contracting--I'm still in the same pain but alot milder than before- the pain was so bad I almsot threw up in the car--I'm finally feeling a bit better-this has been a hard week my hubby has been working at 4am and has been exhausted--I'm him all day with our 18 month old and am exhausted in my own ways from this pregnancy and it causes alot of issues--he's also been working really hard on promotion he finally got ---sometimes I think he forgets I'm pregnant cause I feel like I get no sympathy or extra love and care from him--No back rubs or feet massages like I did he first time--I don't think I can remember the last time he's felt Noah kicking...makes me sad he isn't as involved in his pregnancy but I will give him credit for not missing any OB appointments and u/s--he never missed any with our first...must be a guy thing to just kinda keep going on as usual because the pregnancy isn't directly affecting them as it is us women...anyways can't wait for thankgiving! Would eat it right now if I could!

Berrymama - 16.6 hours ago
What can you do for a shower if you will not know the gender prior to birth? Any ideas or anyone who has done this please comment on my poll. Thanks

christi21 - 19.1 hours ago
First-babyboy- do you knw the results to ur urine test yet? I remember having to pee in a jug it sure did suck.I really hope everything turns out fine for u and ur baby:) keep us updated

luckypenny - 20.3 hours ago
Oh and can I say I love my hubby....he is having sympathy cravings...and GOOD ONES! Chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting! He baked and I frosted....I could really just eat the homemmade frosting I whipped up....so yummy!

luckypenny - 20.3 hours ago
mrsmacd....that's great! I can't believe they came out re: a dirty house! I reported a family for physical/emotional abuse of a child and they found no grounds...unreal. They bother the good people and sweep everything else under the rug.

first babyboy - 20.8 hours ago
hi ladies how are yous today, jst dropped off my 24 hor urine, and more blood work, my kidneys are taking effect from the high blood pressure, so tomorrow i will know if i am admitted or not, thanks to whom that cares appreciate that

mandarae - 21.4 hours ago
mrsmacd - Yay! Balsamfir - Yay to you too!! janice55 - will be thinking about you and praying all is well..

mrsmacd - 21.9 hours ago
Balsamfir; so happy everything is going well with you! You've been in my thoughts and prayers.

mrsmacd - 22 hours ago
CAS is going to 'close our protection file'! Yay! Thank you for your prayers! The worker that came last week unannounced came after having made an appointment and wonder of wonders found my house clean! LOL! She gushed at how beautiful my children were, how polite and well behaved, and said that she was 'closing the file' that she had to talk to her supervisor on Tuesday but that she was pretty sure they were closing the file!!! Woooo hooo!!! Deo Gratias!

christi21 - 22.3 hours ago
Omg ladies I am having a lot of crampy pressure I can't even stand up!!! It feels like gas but its right n front and really low.hopefully it will go away

janice55 - 22.6 hours ago
hey ladies...how is everyone!! jus thought i let u all know i go for an MRI scan in the morning to see if my baby girls brain is growing...my ultrasound monday didnt give us any improvements as her brain is just so full of fluid...please keep my little one in yer thoughts and hopefully we will get some good news. im so nervous right now..this has to be the worst time in my life..all i want is for my baby girl to be ok

michellel27 - 23 hours ago
Balsamfir--So very thankful that you and little one are OK! When do you get to go home? I know it's hard but let someone else care for you for a while. You need your rest. Hang in there, I'm sure you will be just fine! As for x-mas, I think alot of us are concerned! We are preparing to move and I have no idea how we are going to be able to afford anything. We used all of our savings with my last pregnancy, as I can not work during my pregnancies. I never expected to have any more babies ;) I am only concerned about my 9 year old. I know there are alot of you with more older children than I, so I feel for you. I honestly can not believe we are talking about Christmas! Did we have a summer? I think I missed it. This weather is horrible. Work for hubby depends on the weather and it's not looking so good.

angela7011 - 23.3 hours ago
Balsamfir- glad all is going well. when do you get to go home?

Balsamfir - 23.7 hours ago
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. My appendix was successfully removed, albeit they had to cut me instead of those usual tiny holes they use because of pregnancy and the baby hiding it. Even the ultra sound could not find it to confirm my condition. I still haven't been able to eat since Monday night, but had some broth and jello today. Good thing I packed on those extra pounds before! Am able to stand now and walk to toilet, but bloating and gas is so painful. Was able to see baby yesterday and it totally improved my spirits and disposition... Will let you know when I'm better! Take care all and remember go to the doctor if you are not well in anyway!! It saved my life and babies life!

Angela7011 - 1 days ago
yup my lil man does too, its so cute.

JOURNEY-OR-MATEO - 1 days ago
OK Matteo officialy has hiccups!!..lol

esme - 1 days ago
YAY! wk 23! went to the doc today and heard my baby girl! super excited to be getting closer.. :) have a great day ladies!!!

clara16032010 - 1 days ago
mrsmacd... yes i agree it will be a lesson learnt for them - a good one. Not too worried about the little ones, but the older ones 12, 13 and 15 are stressing me out! They say they understand with the money situation, but then in the next breath are reeling off lists!! I've already told adult family & friends that we wont be giving out gifts to them this year. I guess i will have to check out charity shops - i have been told that you can pick up some items that are new and cost pittance!! I'm just so glad we bought ALL our baby items when we first found out i was pregnant that's one thing less to worry about.

pixykat - 1 days ago
hello gals, sore BBS I feel ya! mine hurt all the time so bad at times i wak in tears my OB told me hot shower or heating pad will help and it does and even when they hurt rly bad and feel tight i just give them a little squeez and let some 'liquid' out and they feel soooo much better

BabyGrower2 - 1 days ago
To those wondering how we are going to manage Christmas this year: We also don't have many pennies to spare! All of our expectations are low, though, and it is our last Christmas in the USA before returning to Australia, so just being together will be so special. We have decided that it will be our charity shop Christmas... the joy of giving and choosing some small and simple things and most of us delight in a new Salvation Army book or a game or a mug or a really weird and almost grotesque something that will make our DH laugh... Just an idea. My Grandma used to give us all of our gifts wrapped in the comic strips section of the newspaper which she collected for weeks ahead of time. We loved it! She would wrap up boxes of cereal and we were thrilled. Let's think creatively and cheaply together! It's a hard year for alot of us and we need all the joy and merrymaking we can get without the stress of finances coloring it all.

BabyGrower2 - 1 days ago
mrsmacd: I will be praying for you today... and I have been grieving with you over having your 7 month old taken... I CAN'T IMAGINE how much you miss him!! I think that I have missed some postings so I don't fully understand your baby's story, (do post more or write on my 'wall') but I will be praying that you get a compassionate and understanding worker today. I think what you have just experienced is what for some of us would be our greatest fear!!! Stay strong!

mrsmacd - 1 days ago
Pray for me!!! CAS is coming today to 'meet' my two oldest children and my husband. (Yes I've been involved with them for five months, but they switch workers so often it's like a game of musical chairs.)

mrsmacd - 1 days ago
Angela7011; I'm feeling the same, although... I NEED to go eat breakfast. :)

mrsmacd - 1 days ago
I was worried about Christmas Clara, but someone gave us a few boxes of things, like new tuques and matching mittens, and colouring books and hand made sweaters and a couple gift cards for our big grocery store. I'm pretty sure my dad has things for the kids too, and I wouldn't be surprised if my mother in law has a few little things for them, so I think they're going to be covered. They're too young to understand that this year there might not be as much money as last year, or anything like that, so if they didn't get anything they'd probably be pretty sad, although maybe that would also be a good lesson for them... lol.

Angela7011 - 1 days ago
Good morning everyone. Is anyone else just feeling worn out? It feels like i'm getting sick, but its just not coming. I have been feeling so worn out all week, more than usual. I just wish I could lay in bed all day. just getting up and going to work is taking a toll on me. I hope I start feeling better soon.

clara16032010 - 1 days ago
Anyone else worrying about how they are going to pay for christmas this year? We never use credit cards and only use cash to pay for things. But this year hubby's hours have been cut yet again and i just dont know what we are going to do! I know christmas isn't all about presents and gifts and our chidren understand that too. But really, we have no spare money whatsoever. This will be our first year struggling as all previous years we've done just fine.

aimee111 - 2 days ago
I meant *work* lol my buttons dont work properly

aimee111 - 2 days ago
I am so excited 24 weeks tomorrow!!!! I tried the cycle class again today and it went good. Im feeling so good lately and i only have about three more weeks of wor until i have the right amount of hours to get mat leave so i will go on sick leave then mat leave I CANT WAITTTT. I miss being a stay at home mom and these three months of wor have made me appreciate everything alot more. I think i needed that boost of encouragement and since my hubby broke his foot he has been hom ewith the ids for the last two months and doign an amazing job. He is truly amazing to be able to stay home and clean the house and look after a 4 and 2 yr old. I think he does a better job than I do but he is SO appreciative of what a mother does now that he has been doing it for so long. I love everything you guys have to say i have to catch myself up on here every day its like my own tv series that im addicted to. LOVE YOU LADIES!!! I think I may be high im so tired lol

Twomarchbebes - 2 days ago
Balsimfir - That is a rotten thing to go through but you'll be fine. ;-) I hope you're recovering ok. I am having another c section and I am a little nervous about the operation and recovery. i've had one before but it wasn't fun. Hope I made the right decision!

first babyboy - 2 days ago
mrs.mac. i been eating food with no salt, but normal urine is 150 and below, with the protein count, but mine is 316, and they uped my dose, of adoment, to 1000mg a day, i am on another 24hr urine and if its still high they will admit me to the hospital,

mandarae - 2 days ago
mrsmacd - just read your comment about having your bub on your chest.. my twins did require the isolette and stuff, were in NICU for 4 wks, but they totally promoted the 'kangaroo care' in the hospital. I almost always had my shirt off (robe on) and held my little ones that way. I always felt so helpless leaving them there everynight, but it really helped me deal with it too! The closeness is amazing ;o)

mrsmacd - 2 days ago
Balsamfir; Prayin' for you right now honey! Hope everything goes well! That's crazy scary! Hugs! Get well soon!

mrsmacd - 2 days ago
first babyboy; have you tried any blood pressure lowering food like potatoes and oatmeal? When I had preecclampsia with my third child I craved cheerios, thing is nobody knew I had preeclampsia, they missed it at all my checkups until I went in bleeding with a placental abruption, and because I was 36 weeks and already in labour they just kept my labour going, my little guy was born without a hitch though, never needed an incubator, though I did keep him on my chest for the first month, something they discovered can be just as good as an incubator,because woman's breasts heat up when a baby is placed there!

lisset005 - 2 days ago
Only 2 more days in week 23 then off to week 24-it's really starting to flyby now! Looking forward to going to disneyland with the hubby and our 1 1/2 yr old Caleb we always have such a great time and Christmas stuff is up! Next Wednesday we have an u/s to see our precious little Noah-his kidneys came up a bit enlarged at our 30 wk u/s so they are rechecking- excited to see him again! My OB has a nice big u/s room with a huge flatscreen tv so when they do the u/s it shows up on the tv too-so neat to see Noah on there! I'm really looking forward to thanksgiving food!!' yum yum! Going to try and nap while my little man does-

babsie79 - 2 days ago
holy cow week 24 already tomorrow.... man time is just creepin up on us!! wowzers!!

GatorMommy3 - 2 days ago
I just love watching my belly jump with every punch, kick and roll... Its like he's trying to bust outta there! He better not. 24 weeks tomorrow, wow! Hope all you ladies are having a wonderful evening xox

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Members in week 23:

amanda4964 - 13 Mar 2010
bnsute1984 - 13 Mar 2010
CharliesMummy18 - 13 Mar 2010
curlysgirl - 13 Mar 2010
Dara - 13 Mar 2010
emzsac - 13 Mar 2010
Lisset005 - 13 Mar 2010
mamaLaura - 13 Mar 2010
sandraintexs - 13 Mar 2010
TotJude - 13 Mar 2010
BabyGrower2 - 14 Mar 2010
balsamfir - 14 Mar 2010
Beanerz - 14 Mar 2010
BelovedM - 14 Mar 2010
Cajunsoul101 - 14 Mar 2010
Jackiedb - 14 Mar 2010
jchay2 - 14 Mar 2010
Lovingwhatis - 14 Mar 2010
mals313 - 14 Mar 2010
moshol - 14 Mar 2010
mrsmacd - 14 Mar 2010
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TheJenny - 14 Mar 2010
tysmomplusone - 14 Mar 2010
yorkie puggle - 14 Mar 2010
zacks mommy - 14 Mar 2010
aims123 - 15 Mar 2010
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KelB75 - 15 Mar 2010
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rado - 15 Mar 2010
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Twomarchbebes - 15 Mar 2010
1st Time mother 2B - 16 Mar 2010
2ndbabe - 16 Mar 2010
christi21 - 16 Mar 2010
clara16032010 - 16 Mar 2010
dtlove04 - 16 Mar 2010
first babyboy - 16 Mar 2010
hopingfullterm - 16 Mar 2010
JOURNEY-OR-MATEO - 16 Mar 2010
Krlina - 16 Mar 2010
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The due date from members in week 23 is from Saturday 13 March 2010 up to & including Friday 19 March 2010. See the full timeline here

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