My Pregnancy Week 23
Baby
Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. He is now about the size of a mango, measuring approximately 11 inches long and weighing about 1 pound. In the coming weeks, your baby will continue to grow and mature at a fast rate, gaining about 6 ounces of weight a week.
By week 23, the blood vessels in his lungs, important for breathing outside the womb, are developing. His lips are becoming more distinct and his eyes continue to develop, though they still lack color. Also, by this week, the bones in his middle ear start to harden.
His skin is still wrinkled but the pigments that will give his skin color are currently being deposited.
Mom
How are you feeling? Your body has been going through a lot of changes recently! Many women find that by week 23 their hair is thicker, their fingernails are growing faster and their skin might have that pregnant "glow", which is great! However, there may be some changes that you aren't so happy with like increased body hair, stretch marks or larger feet.
- Body hair- Hormones are the culprit again! Specifically, androgens are to blame for the little hairs that may be showing up on your belly, chin, arms and back. Safe solutions – tweezing, waxing or threading are all good options.
- Stretch Marks - Stretch marks are actually tiny tears in the supportive tissue located just beneath your skin. They may be dark during pregnancy but the good news is that they should fade over time. Some women use oils, creams and lotions during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks, it can't hurt, but there are no medically proven lotions currently on the market.
- Larger feet – Your feet may have already increased half a shoe size and may continue to grow. Swelling accounts for some of this growth but lax ligaments also cause your feet to spread. Try not to squish into shoes that are too tight...purchase some new ones, preferably something you can just slip-on. Also, try elevating your feet 3-4 times a day, as gravity plays a big role in swelling. Last, and probably best, ask your partner for a foot massage. It will increase circulation and help disperse edema.
Have you started a baby registry? A fun distraction from all of this is to start your baby registry. Most online shopping sites allow you to create a wish list. Not only is it a fun way to browse all the cute baby products out there, it's a great way to let your friends and family know exactly what you need for the baby. Though you may want to select mostly toys or clothing for your wish list, you may want to include supplies like diapers or baby wipes. You'll be amazed at the amount of diapers your little one goes through!
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