23 weeks pregnant • Pregnancy calendar •

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 2536 from week 23
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jenyancey - 2 hours ago
I need help! I just got a call from my doctor with the results of my triple screen and I got a positive for Trisomy 18. The genetic counselor cannot get us in until next tues. and I am freeking out! I have been reading about it and it is NOT GOOD! Does anyone know the false positive rate? Has anyone been through this? Please help if you know anything about this! Thank you!

cubby99 - 2.6 hours ago
I find myself taking deep breaths just to keep up. I cannot imagine 12 weeks from now! But the end result will be worth it!

w1sttimemommy - 5.3 hours ago
me too very short of breath and my st. nerve which dr said is very normal and has she has been active this morning.

cubby99 - 7.8 hours ago
Anyone feeling short of breath this week? Mine started in horrible last night. My siatic is flaring up as well. In the morning I walk like a weeble until it gets evened out! Allergies really bad, too. My ear has been plugged off and on for about 2 mo now!

katechris - 9.5 hours ago
OOOOOOOOOOh i have terrible siatic nerve pain too, and I work sitting down all day and I end up walking like a invalid by the end of my day.

greenayed - 20.8 hours ago
Hi! We're new here and have made it to the 23rd week. This appears to be a pretty neat place. My ankles have swollen so bad at times it looks like my legs are sitting on onions.

jmwolf99 - 21 hours ago
Today I'm in week 23! I'm feeling great and baby has been moving especially after I eat. My only problem is sciatic nerve pain.

3rdtimemama80 - 22.2 hours ago
BTW Kah, I have had sinus problems right from the jump:(

3rdtimemama80 - 22.2 hours ago
Hey everyone, hope all is well:) I was recently had to take a sick leave from work (was going on Mat leave next month anyhow) due to severe sciatic pain. My OB gave me a maternity belt for further support. I have 2 girls and never experienced this pain with them. Now I am expecting my first son and he is transverse....anyone else having back pain at this point??

w1sttimemommy - 1 days ago
went for my ob visit got an ultrsound yep still a girl i was afraid when i went they were going to say it now was a boy because i've been buying all kind of girl stuff we couldn't see her face because she had her face up aganst the placenta and her hand on her face she going to be shy like me i guess. He changed my due date to nov.29 and she weighs 1 lb 3 ozs does anyone know is that about right or is that on the big side.

TattooedMommyof2Soon - 1 days ago
KAH, I've been sick since Sunday.

cubby99 - 1 days ago
Me-Daddy-Bump, I just wanted to let you know that I have had from time to time pain in my calf on one leg. It is just in that certain area and is quite severe. I blame it on muscles and joints relaxing but it is still scarey to think of! Hang in there!

kah1675 - 2 days ago
I woke up at 3am today STUFFY nose.... felt like my throat and ear was getting sore. IS anyone else having these problems????? I also woke to my breasts leaking all over my tshirt.

aussiemomma - 2 days ago
Hey Mae I just got a new job too. Just out of curiousity did you tell your employer that you were pregnant? I'm afraid to. ANy help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Good luck to you, Thanks. AussieMomma

mae - 2 days ago
I can't believe that week 23 is almost over! Ugh i've had the worst cold and i don't know what to take to get rid of it. I can hardly sleep at night.
So i fainlly got a job, and i'm standing on my feet at all times. Any idea on cute shoes that wont make your feet swell as bad? I have to dress nice for my job and sneakers def. don't look cute with my outfits.

Winter-baby - 2 days ago
so i got rushed to hospital last week with really bad leg pain in just one leg did a scan for clots but there was none luckily. today the pain has come back even worse and its always in the same leg. anyone else had anything like this?? i do work on my feet all day as a hairdresser but i know its not that. its not presure, its severepain! in one leg! confused??!! hope ur all well :)

EmmaReed84 - 2 days ago
I noticed my 1st my son stopped moving. But with this one he loves people feeling him move. When my husband cant feel him he puts his ear to my belly and can hear baby move! I think he likes that he has something that i cant do lol...makes him feel special cos i feel baby all the time.

cubby99 - 2 days ago
I, too, have been playing the 'kicking' game. My little guy kicks me a ton at night when I am watching tv and the only satisfaction my husband usually can get is if he sees if from the outside. Every time he puts his hand their, the baby stops! I love to sit at work and watch my belly do flip flops! He seems most active right after I eat!

ShaunaDear - 2 days ago
I just came from the doctor and I am supposed to be 23 1/2 weeks but am measuring 27 weeks! Next appointment they are giving me another Sonogram to make sure where I am at. Oh and I wrote about the heat rash the other day, turns out it is spider bites like 10 of them..aaaahhhh! I almost would rather have had the heat rash.

kaylabranscum - 2 days ago
hey! i was just wondering if there was anyone from ARkansas? thats where i am from, and it would be neat to meet someone from the same area!thanks!

thepintobeangotbigger - 2 days ago
My husband has felt the baby move a couple times now too but more often than not, Baby stops the minute my hubby's hand is on my belly! I can put my hand there and all is fine... I don't know if it's me beckoning my husband to come feel it or just the difference in weight from his hand compared to mine but most of the time it never fails that Baby will cease moving! CUBBY - I definitely feel nauseas when I get hungry... I think it's because my blood sugar must be low or something. HOTMAMAMARY - I heard 32 weeks is best because baby has gained a lot of weight and fat so his/her face will fill out and the final features are more defined.

Just Jodi - 2 days ago
jo1979---My lil guy started kicking so hard to where I can feel and it see from the outside about 2-3 weeks ago. Now my challenge is getting everyone who wants to feel and see him kick before he stops. It's like a big game! lol I've lived with my grandparents since day one of my pregnancy and my grandma swears that he's just too little to be kicking only because she hasn't seen or felt him yet. LOL. I guess my baby boy knows better than to be kicking his great grandma. My mom has been able to feel him kick quite a few times and she was with me for the first time I saw him kick. Everyone else wanting to see or feel it has a hard time doing so because everytime a hand gets laid on my belly, he just QUITS...then they walk away and he starts right back up again...like I said, lol it's all a game but an exciting one a that!! Hope everyone is doing well!!

jo1979 - 2 days ago
Hello Ladies! I'm new to this so please put up with me if I make some silly mistakes, ha! I've been reading some of your messages about your babies moving and thought I'd add that last night, for the first time we were able to feel a kick/punch on the outside of my belly, it was wonderful! It made me feel secure in the thought that our baby is growing bigger and stronger and it was nice for my mister to be able to feel it as well. I think it helps make him feel more involved, bless him. Anyone else starting to see/feel movement on the outside? Maybe you've noticed this weeks ago and I'm just a late starter ha ha?? Sending well wishes to all those baby bumps xxx

Winter-baby - 3 days ago
This week seems like the longest week yet! its flown by up until now! hope ur all well x x

chrisk828 - 3 days ago
The DH is such a slacker when it comes to this, could all of you check out my name poll and help me choose my baby girls name please?

springtime - 3 days ago
cubby, I notice that happens to me too. I have to eat something quickly. then the storm passes.

aussiemomma - 3 days ago
I worry. My boy seems to be fairly quiet except for early mornings & late evenings. Oh & whilst making love. Hope that's not TMI Is this normal? Aussie Momma

Emmanbump - 3 days ago
hiya ladies, i thought id share with you a dream i had last night that freaked me out some what! i was in labour but felt no pain when they told me to push, i pushed but when i felt like i had given birth and i looked down and there was nothing there and everyone in the room including my mother in law which is even more mad said well where is the baby??? freaky a? any1 else having strange dreams? xxx

lisamarie8503 - 3 days ago
So much fun (lol) :D...

http://www.missbimbo.com/parrain.php?userId=776919

hotmamamary - 3 days ago
i just found out im having a baby boy... we are so excited this is our first baby after trying so many years...i cant wait to hold him...im planning to have a 4d ultrasound, when do you think ladies is the best time. ive heard from week 25 then on. take care ladies.

cubby99 - 3 days ago
Has anyone noticed that when they get hungry the nausea kicks in a little bit?

ShaunaDear - 3 days ago
Ow...This heat has me down. I managed to get heat rash on my side and front of my belly. Any ideas on how to help this go away?

pintpot - 3 days ago
To all UK mums, are you as confused as I am ref all the child trust fund accounts, I thought they we're run by one company but it seems every bank has there own one running. Was just wondering if anyone had researched them and if so which one is the best? Or can you set up a saver bank account with any bank and put the check in there?

kah1675 - 3 days ago
Thank you for the advice Neolucky and Springtime.

babyofdeployment08 - 3 days ago
New mommy to be~ Ihave been very sick as well. My hubby got what I had too. Every time I would breath I would cough like crazy. It sucks! I blow my nose about every 10 min. I hope you feel better soon.

Winter-baby - 3 days ago
hi girls! well i cant believe how much baby has started to move my fiance felt it kick 6 times lastnight and all day today my belly has been moving like crazy! hope babys not stressed! feet are really starting to hurt now. stood up hairdressing 8 hours a day doesnt help! hope ur all doing well! x x

katieandchris - 3 days ago
Hi week 23. Hope all is well. I have had family up this weekend and i am sooooo tired now. My feet and legs begun to swell whilst out shopping. I have also noticed my belly button is about to pop out any time soon, it looks rather funny :O) Any one else noticed theirs changing? Take Care xx

jade-ollie-bump - 3 days ago
Hi all... 23 weeks and 1 day today. i know this might be really sad but im so impatient i have been on a website (timeanddate.com) and it tells you how many hours minutes and even seconds untill the day of the EDD. i think its sweet myself. is anyone else having trouble with the partner? mine is finding it really hard to adapt to the situation we are in, if anyone could give me advice on how to stop him going off the tracks every friday? i have told him its not the drinking that concerns me... its just the lies he is prepared to tell to get drunk, its really making me and baby stressed, any advice is welcome please ..... thanks xx

new-mommy-to-be - 4 days ago
I have the worst chest/throat/runny nose/head ache cold.. It's been a good 5 days now. I can hardly sleep at night cause every breath is loud and painful... :( Anyone have any natural not bad for baby remedies to get through colds?? My Ob/Gyn gave me a script for antibiotics but I don't want to take them unless I get desperate....

EmmaReed84 - 4 days ago
It funny you all mention strange dreams.....last night i had the strangest dream of them all....My husband in the kitchen talking saying he can't feel my baby in my belly move...then he had a tin and said but i can hear this one, so i went to the kitchen and slightly opened the tin and said that baby is bigger and the baby came out the tin and i was paniking saying the baby is too young to live but the baby was saying mummy.......It was the most random oddest dreams i have EVER HAD!!!! lol i woke looking confused and lookng at my belly, making sure it was stil there ha ha ha ha ha ha

neolucky - 4 days ago
Hi Kah - to avoid charlie horses try flexing your feet straight back when you have to stretch rather than pointing your toes which makes the muscles retract...if you can flex your feet within the first second of feeling the charlie horse come on it should stop it.

springtime - 4 days ago
kah, I have those vivid dreams too. I stopped watching those baby shows. It was freaking me out what could happen. As for the cramps, eat fruit, bananas, anything with high potassium. That is the number 1 thing for leg cramps. Jumbo raisins are great too.

mae - 4 days ago
is anyone else starting to notice some swelling?! I feel like my chest is getting huge! i've bought three bra's throughout this whole pregnency and now i'm needing to buy another one! i just bought this one last week sometime! I guess its time to give the pregnancy bra's a chance.

kah1675 - 4 days ago
Is anyone having trouble with nightmares and or Charlie Horses???? The past 2 nights I have had awful nightmares about my son....... I guess its just fear of what I don't want to have happen...... Probably because of the crazy Discovery Health channel I was watching plus my neighbor had a miscarriage on Friday and she was 12 weeks along with twins. Last night I had like 4 Charlie horses.....2 in each leg at different times.... What can I do to avoid these?

kah1675 - 4 days ago
I don't feel him kicking but MAYBE once a day...... Is this OK??????????? Or should I be concerned?????

kah1675 - 4 days ago
How do u get the swelling in your ankles to go down???

jenniferlynn5366 - 4 days ago
is anyone's babies kicking there bladder?? it feels like I am getting kicked way down there....its a weird feeling.

mae - 4 days ago
Week 23 has been going pretty fast. I hope the rest of it goes this fast because i am so anxious to meet Keylee :]! She has been kicking like CRAZY up until the last two days, but i'm tring not to worry because it seems like i'm not the only one that has been feeling less kicking this week. well! hope everyone is doing okay!

Emmanbump - 4 days ago
i find that i am starting to feel pain in my lower back when i lay down, so i now have to find a more comfortable way to sleep which is on my side, but i can't sleep i just can't win lol!

ksr1170 - 4 days ago
I've entered the uncomfortable stage. I feel antsy. It also feels like the baby has invaded my rib cage. I can't sit still for long before having to try a new position. Scary to think this is only the 2T. Anyone else?

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Members in week 23:

Addismom - 27 Nov 2008
aussiemomma - 27 Nov 2008
BabyBrowning - 27 Nov 2008
blooming-angie - 27 Nov 2008
bunnysmummy - 27 Nov 2008
EmmaJD - 27 Nov 2008
K~teaNewMommy - 27 Nov 2008
Louloolie - 27 Nov 2008
mel1310 - 27 Nov 2008
MommaKelley - 27 Nov 2008
nikki03 - 27 Nov 2008
Novbaby - 27 Nov 2008
pigskinprincess - 27 Nov 2008
Sabra - 27 Nov 2008
saraslittlepea - 27 Nov 2008
SexyP3473 - 27 Nov 2008
Shanell13 - 27 Nov 2008
ShaunaDear - 27 Nov 2008
SupaMama2B - 27 Nov 2008
SweetNovember22 - 27 Nov 2008
Tamz - 27 Nov 2008
Taylor027 - 27 Nov 2008
tobied - 27 Nov 2008
Trisha Dee - 27 Nov 2008
ventnormom - 27 Nov 2008
Wagner-Baby - 27 Nov 2008
Winter-baby - 27 Nov 2008
xxmonkeybubblexx - 27 Nov 2008
zoemay - 27 Nov 2008
~Alicia~ - 27 Nov 2008
11 years later - 28 Nov 2008
3rdbabyat34 - 28 Nov 2008
amiyahsmommy - 28 Nov 2008
baby6 - 28 Nov 2008
Brittanys1st - 28 Nov 2008
cblack - 28 Nov 2008
Courtlyn - 28 Nov 2008
ebonyiz - 28 Nov 2008
HaleyD - 28 Nov 2008
hotmamamary - 28 Nov 2008
Ibsunshineheather - 28 Nov 2008
inyala - 28 Nov 2008
Jackie373 - 28 Nov 2008
Jessies1stbaby - 28 Nov 2008
Kaylynn626 - 28 Nov 2008
kceg85 - 28 Nov 2008
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LOiamVE - 28 Nov 2008
mamaNdada2be - 28 Nov 2008
Mrs J - 28 Nov 2008
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Mz Bruno - 28 Nov 2008
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MDL - 29 Nov 2008
Pastell - 29 Nov 2008
Reila - 29 Nov 2008
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springtime - 29 Nov 2008
SuzyB - 29 Nov 2008
w1sttimemommy - 29 Nov 2008
cateyesac - 30 Nov 2008
cathinton - 30 Nov 2008
cpercifull - 30 Nov 2008
emmanbump - 30 Nov 2008
EmmaReed84 - 30 Nov 2008
Huffyhedgie - 30 Nov 2008
Irishbabyfactory - 30 Nov 2008
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xXBatesXx - 30 Nov 2008
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eli - 01 Dec 2008
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renapbe - 03 Dec 2008
samberandbaby - 03 Dec 2008
sassymrn - 03 Dec 2008
sexi and pregnant - 03 Dec 2008
Tmamma - 03 Dec 2008

The due date from members in week 23 is from Thursday 27 November 2008 up to & including Wednesday 3 December 2008. See the full timeline here

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