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 1103 from week 23
29 messages have been added in the last 24 hours.
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ModelMommy1 - 12 minutes ago
OMG my hormones have came back with a naughty little vengence! I am like a horny toad. Any little thing turns me on. I just want sex, but NOT from my child's father because of course I can't stand to look at him, but every other man makes me hot! Jesus. I just pray that the batteries don't run out on my vibrator! Hehe Anybody else with an increased sex drive?

mommy2kadence - 1.6 hours ago
do u need a catheter in if your having a planned c section?? last year i had the catheter in but only because i was so close to a vaginal delivery and ended up with an emergency section...

fourth-on-the-way - 1.7 hours ago
About the catheder, I've had three babies, all three epiderals and never had a catheder during labor! That would suck, they hurt and I hate the feeling of them being in. It's kind of gross but they have large square pads under you during labor so if you do pee or poo they just take the pads away to keep you clean.

Mrs. Joiner - 2.5 hours ago
I have to have a catheter every time I go to the ER without a sedative to get a clean urine specemin and yes it does hurt, but it only lasts for a few seconds when it's put in and when it is taken out... I didn't feel it the other time it was in except for a pressure. Just a hint, DON'T TENSE UP IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE ONE WITHOUT MEDS! IT WILL HURT SOO MUCH MORE IF YOUR MUSCLES ARE TIGHT WHEN IT IS PUT IN!! I had to have one yesterday at the ER and I've had them at least twice before... but it's not so bad.

grace27 - 3 hours ago
When I was in the ER last year with my ectopic pregnancy, and they inserted a catheter, and it hurt like a mother!!!!!!!! I do hear though that they will put a catheter in after an epidural is placed because epidurals can cause urinary retention, and of course since you are numb, you will not have a sensation of needing to empty your bladder.

twinsandmore77 - 4 hours ago
yeah, the catheter, I have had one two times and frankly I can't remember that part at all. Labor is a little crazy, if you are getting the epidural because you are in pain you probably won't even notice a catheter. I think they put mine in after the epidural worked because I don't think I felt it. Try not to worry about that and just be flexible when the time comes.

lilmama4 - 4.9 hours ago
well we finally decided on a name Julieonna

1st.time.momma - 5.8 hours ago
normalee...no i dont really plan on getting one i just heard that when you deliver you get one and i really dont want to..

baby bake oven - 6.5 hours ago
Happy 4th of July ladies! Enjoy your weekend!

herecomesbaby2 - 7.5 hours ago
I wonder if the catheter thing is more popular in certain areas. I had an epidural, my sister had 2, and a couple friends of mine had them as well and none of us had a catheter.

lorelaismom - 7.8 hours ago
1sttimemomma- well they don't feel great but honestly it's not that bad. i had one with my first (normalee- they're pretty standard especially if you have an epidural cause you can't stand up to go to the potty) but there's so much that goes on down there during labor that you really do forget about it. it's only uncomfortable when they put it in and that takes less than a minute. don't worry about a thing!!

blondymommy - 8.1 hours ago
Oh and I also have to say that I hate the moodiness of being pregnant. I am working today and I just feel like I want to rip everyone's head off! Every little thing is irritating me. It's horrible!

blondymommy - 8.3 hours ago
crookedmule-I have to agree with you on the U/S thing. Mine was longer than 15 min but she didn't try for very long to see what the sex was and then she finally said she was 90% sure it's a girl. But like you, I don't know if she was saying that just cuz she couldn't see any boy parts. I am gonna be really upset if I buy all this girl stuff and then she comes out a boy!! Ahhhh! Also, it's frustrating that that is the last U/S that we will get.

expecting-2b-patient - 8.3 hours ago
Yay, I get to see my little guy again next Thursday, I can't wait to see how much he's grown over the last month! Then I made an appointment at a 3D/4D imaging center to be done on August 1st! That is going to be so neat!

PregMeag - 8.3 hours ago
I think part of the reason I finally had an epidural with my first son, was so that I couldn't feel the catheter. I HATE those things.

normalee - 9.7 hours ago
1st.time.momma WHY? are you planning on getting one. they due hurt and burn. i'll be getting one becaus ei'm having a c-section but i'll already be numb before they put it in.

1st.time.momma - 10 hours ago
heyyyy i have a quick question for all you ladys:D i was just reading something and i was just wondering does it hurt to get a cathider?? i mean i have had one before but i was knocked out on an operating table n if im wide awake and gotta get one. i think i will about flip out?

aileenc0 - 10.8 hours ago
I took the kids to the park today and now my feet and ankles or should I say cankles are so swollen they'e like big beach balls.Mrs J hope your feeling better soon.

Crookedmule - 10.8 hours ago
hi, im a little bummed out about my ultrasound, i was rushed, it only lasted about 15 minutes. she asked if we wanted to know the gender, we obviousl said yes. she quicky showed us the heart, flicked over the spine for a split second, baby was face down so didnt get a look at the face or nothing. she tried to see the 'goods' there was 1 thick white line, not the 3 i saw with my daughter and no obvious scrotum. she kept saying baby is in an awkward position but said she would say 75% girl. is she saying this because the boy part appeared missing or she saw girl parts? im sooo frustrated. my u/s pics were awful. we paid £12 for 4 pics and theyre all the same and show hardly anything. in uk i get no more u/s. thats why im thinkin of a private scan. im confused about the 1 white line. she didnt try and see anymore times in the scan and didnt try anymore angles. she seemed very unsure. ahhhhhhh this is so bad, least i know baby is healthy or should i believe her on that either coz she seemed rubbish! anyone know of babys gender changing at birth? im so gutted, i like to plan ahead and now i cant, i was so looking forward to the 20 week scan and now im no further forward. sorry for venting ladies, but any advice would be appreciated thanks katie x

welshgirl - 11 hours ago
mrs joiner - i hope your contractions stop soon, definately not nice. This is my first day in week 23 and the heat is killing me no where near as hot as those of you in the US though lol. MY back is also killing and i cant walk properly which isnt good when you have a active 1 1/2 yr old.

lorelaismom - 12.1 hours ago
babybake and allyne - those are just what my dr calls 'pregnancy dots'. lol I have a lot of weird things happen to my skin too - I have on my belly and thighs, I have this weird bruise looking spot on the top of my stomach (I've had it since like 6 weeks and I had it with my first too in the same spot that lasted the whole pregnancy!). Another lovely thing we get to experience!! haha These babies give us stretch marks, spots all over and bad skin! But we love them!

Mrs. Joiner - 12.8 hours ago
Okay, so I STILL have contractions this morning.... uggh I hope I don't have hem the rest of this pregnancy! 17 weeks is a long time for this to be everyday!

baby bake oven - 14.1 hours ago
Allynne - I'd like to know this too... I have these little pin prick spots apprearing all over my belly too. I'm going to ask my doctor about them at my appointment on Monday. I was chalking it up to heat rash, but they don't itch or anything!

allynne7 - 22.3 hours ago
K, so I have this rash that I noticed about 3 days ago... it's on my chest and top part of my belly but it looks like little pin pricks and is not itchy...could that be from the heat? And how do I get rid of it?

Mrs. Joiner - 22.6 hours ago
im a cashier on a concrete floor all day but i was only there for a few hours today

allynne7 - 22.7 hours ago
Mrs. Joiner: Sorry you had such a crappy day...just enjoy lounging this weekend and let everyone else do everything for you. Hope you feel better soon and no more contractions till it's time. I am just exhausted today...went for a long walk and really overdid it. But the movie had to be returned and it didn't seem so far until I was half way through! Hope everyone else is fabulous and happy!

grace27 - 23.1 hours ago
Mrs Joiner. What kind of work do you do? Im a nurse, and on my feet a lot, and I come home everyday with swollen feet and ankles.

SPUDinTHEoven - 23.4 hours ago
Mrs Joiner: It sounds like you had a scary day today! Hopefully after a weekend of bedrest, your contraction like cramping goes away for good! Good luck!

hudzz - 23.8 hours ago
Mrs. Joiner- That must of been scary but it sounds like you handled it really well. I think that's what happens when we over work ourselves.I can't beleive what you went through!! Please look after yourself and abby. I had the similar thing happen to me yesterday night.I had pain in my stomach and they would come a go every 5mins. I had to stop and breathe through them. I got really scared that I was in labor but I think they were BH. I had to lay down straight away. I knew I was ok when I felt my little one kick. Hope your feeling better today!!

Mrs. Joiner - 1 days ago
I would only be having a second shower if the second child was a different gender than the first one... but that is just me.

Mrs. Joiner - 1 days ago
Around 3 this afternoon sometime I was at work and started getting mild, period-like contractions. I dealt with it for about an hour untl they got so painful that I could no longer stand it. The contractions were coming at a rate of one every two minutes and I was in so much pain that I was shaking and felt as though I needed to throw up and that I needed to push. I immediately got back into L&D and was hooked up to a monitor that monitored Abigail's heartrate and my contractions. My contractions were still coming at at a constant rate of around 2-3 minutes and were lasting a good 30-45 seconds each, even though the actual pain from them was subsiding. Abby's heartrate was around 155 the whole time and she kept kicking at the monitors. After the doctor ran several tests and checked my cervix (first cervical check and it hurt!) he determined that it must be from being overworked and overstressed because of renovating our home and now working so much. He also continued to say that I may not be able to continue with my job for the remainder of my pregnancy due to the problems that it was causing (SEVERE excessive swelling, etc..). So now, I was told to be on mild bedrest (no work either) for pretty much the rest of the weekend, even though I have to get a note from my follow up visit at my own doctor's office to say just how long. Today sucked! but THANK GOD ABBY IS OKAY! Also... I am STILL having contractions but since they are not doing anything to my cervix, I got sent home...

lizandbrent - 1 days ago
Hey ladies, we are only 24 hours from needing to make a huge decision...and I don't know what to do...in my heart I want to rent a home, but not sure if thats best with the baby right around the corner....PLEASE take my poll and help me have a better idea!!! Thank you!

twinsandmore77 - 1 days ago
nickee- maybe you could have a meet the baby shower after and ask for diapers and wipes only. Some people will want to get you more and will but there wont be any pressure to spend much money on you.

mommy2kadence - 1 days ago
I didn't have a shower with my daughter last year, i basically had to buy everything myself, and i wasnt with the 'father' the whole time, so it really was JUST me. This time around I am with a new man, who is the father and we are getting married, and will be having a baby shower also... because this is his first 'blood baby'...and his family is excited and wants to help..so im thankful.. i am not expecting my parents to buy anything, although this is the first grandson (and my sister is sooo uber jealous!!) lol, so i now have the first granddaughter and grandson, and they will both be spoiled by the grandparents. :) I think there are special situations which would call for multiple baby showers, like if the expecting mother is financially unable to buy the necessary things.. regardless of how many babies shes had.. but thats my own feeling..

herecomesbaby2 - 1 days ago
LOL.. and than re-swallowing it!

aileenc0 - 1 days ago
I was just reading the info bit in here does anyone else find it disturbing that the baby might be taking a leak in there??? lmao.

aileenc0 - 1 days ago
I'm in such a pissed off mood today everyone I've told that I'm having another girl has been like ' oh well never mind' Why are people so damn thoughtless.Aaaarrrrrrggghhhhhhhh!!!!

Ms. Russo - 1 days ago
24 Weeks tomorrow!!!! YAY :)

aileenc0 - 1 days ago
jaydenty have a fab holiday.

sarahc - 1 days ago
expectinG: thats fantastic!!! Im so so happy you're feeling him now...really makes him feel real doesnt it? :) xxx

10yrs.later09 - 1 days ago
hey ladies i'm from week 22..just peeking thru the blogs..I'm having a son come 11/4 yeah!!! finally :O no boys in my family just girls!..since its been since 10yrs now i haven't had a baby shower and the last one I had was a girl..a shower is in order. Yes my sister has given me hand me downs that are nuetral colors.( SOOO thankful cause babies get dirty!!) I believe i'm having 2 showers( family and @work). I don't want EVERYTHING NEW, like a pack n play(total waste of money) so my sister is giving me hers (my niece who's 3yrs now--never liked it)high chair (baby usually wants to eat on your lap any ways)but I did registar for one of those boosters you can strap to a chair (looks like a high chair without the hight), stroller,carrier-car seat--that i will def need new!...but yeah, if you had a back to back pregnancy you probably can use most of the clothes the 1st child wasn't able too? that happened to me when my daughter was a little--she grew too fast!and if people want to give you items then thats them. And every baby should get something new..but reality...they don't use it for very long! hope you ladies have a great 4th!

lubird - 1 days ago
Nickee--a possible suggestion could be to have a 'sprinkle' instead. Guests aren't supposed to get you registry-type gifts but only baby essentials like diapers.

DoeysGirl - 1 days ago
Jay... I LOVE the name cruz! I can see a cool little guy with a mohawk! I'm pushing for the name Axl cause I want a rockstar toddler, but hubby's having no part of that! Ha! :)

jaydenty - 1 days ago
I almost forgot to ask, what do you guys think of the name Cruz, dh chose it and I just dont think it goes with Glover, nor can I find a middle name, cos thats what I'm left with. It just hasn't grown on me, maybe when he's here. I dunno!!

jaydenty - 1 days ago
EXPECTING - I am SO SO SO SO SO happy for you! Isn't it just the most awesome feeling in the world? Do you feel more connected, almost like the 2 of you have this special kinda relationship?

jaydenty - 1 days ago
Ladies, I'm officially on holiday today. We were supposed to leave to go down to the coast this morning, but dh had some work to finish, so we're leaving tomorrow. I cannot wait to get away from the norm. I'll be back at work on the 13 July, which is halfway through the month, and then there's only 2 months left at work and in 2 weeks my little man will be in my arms. I'll take the bikini with, just for fun but will probably wear a kaftan over...I really need this holiday, I havent been on leave since last year February. Shoo, thats a mouthful! Hope all you lovely ladies are well and have an amazing weekend!!!!!

expecting-2B-patient - 1 days ago
HURRAY! I FINALLY FELT SOME KICKS THIS MORNING!! I EVEN PUT MY HAND ON MY TUMMY AND FELT HIM KICK!! They aren't strong at all, but enough for me to know it's a kick! For the first time since week 13 I didn't use my doppler this morning!

herecomesbaby2 - 1 days ago
Nickee: Since you just had a baby 9 months ago, I definitely wouldn't suggest having another one. If I were invited to someones that just had a baby, I would think that was pretty tacky. I'm sure others will disagree with me, I just think that a woman should only have one shower. It would be the same if someone got married, and than divorced and remarried. They shouldn't expect wedding gifts like they did the first time.

mommy2kadence - 1 days ago
Cookbaby--I found that adding a few small toys was also helpful in the diaper bag..something musical or a little stuffed animal that makes scrunchy noises..and another important thing to always keep is a bottle of infant tylenol..comes in handy when you have to take the little one to the dr's for shots..also a teething ring or two..

ModelMommy1 - 1 days ago
Hazeleyes- I feel the same way. We actually haven't spoken in 2 weeks.. for more reasons than one. I actually sometimes think he is the hormonal one. He'll just flip for no particular reason & me having been suffering with high blood pressure would rather not even deal with him.

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Members in week 23:

AmandaPanda1108 - 24 Oct 2009
babypayne2 - 24 Oct 2009
blondymommy - 24 Oct 2009
ChevyChic96 - 24 Oct 2009
ClaricenBabe - 24 Oct 2009
Dilly - 24 Oct 2009
FirstTimeMom85 - 24 Oct 2009
jkh2208 - 24 Oct 2009
LaShaunda - 24 Oct 2009
mar14e - 24 Oct 2009
Mrs.R. - 24 Oct 2009
sara2780 - 24 Oct 2009
twinsandmore77 - 24 Oct 2009
amyandjames..babyn... - 25 Oct 2009
BrandiGail - 25 Oct 2009
carly bruce - 25 Oct 2009
cbjoolz - 25 Oct 2009
crystallino - 25 Oct 2009
fourth-on-the-way - 25 Oct 2009
Francesca86 - 25 Oct 2009
HAZEL EYEZ - 25 Oct 2009
IrvineMom - 25 Oct 2009
iwona - 25 Oct 2009
izabela83 - 25 Oct 2009
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kez127 - 25 Oct 2009
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mjb - 25 Oct 2009
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Baby Tres - 26 Oct 2009
care212000 - 26 Oct 2009
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kaykay25 - 26 Oct 2009
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paulab - 26 Oct 2009
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1st.time.momma - 27 Oct 2009
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3rd Time around - 27 Oct 2009
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no3mommy - 27 Oct 2009
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SPUDinTHEoven - 27 Oct 2009
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Baby Bake Oven - 28 Oct 2009
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our 2 little stars - 30 Oct 2009
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The due date from members in week 23 is from Saturday 24 October 2009 up to & including Friday 30 October 2009. See the full timeline here

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