Week 23 of pregnancy (Days 161-167)

Your growing baby now measures 29cm from crown to heel and weighs approximately 450g. Around this week you will have your Anomaly Scan.

Pregnancy Diary

A Guide to each week of your pregnancy, with details on your baby’s growth, your body and symptoms to look out for.

  • 4

    Your baby is no longer a zygote or a single cell. The cells have multiplied rapidly and now the embryo is taking shape.

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  • 9

    From week 9 you can have Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening, to assess your risk of Down's Syndrome and other conditions.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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  • 13

    This week marks the end of the first trimester, and the risk of miscarrage reduces dramatically.

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1st Trimester

 

Maternal Weight Gain

7cm long
  • 14

    Your baby now measures around 8cm, from crown to rump and weighs around 40g.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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  • 22

    Your growing baby now measures 28cm from crown to heel and weighs approximately 350g.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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  • 28

    Your growing baby now measures 38cm from crown to heel and weighs approximately 1kg.

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2nd Trimester

 

Maternal Weight Gain

40g - 1kg
  • 29

    Your growing baby now measures 39cm from crown to heel and weighs approximately 1.1kg.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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  • 36

    Your growing baby now measures up to 47.5cm from crown to heel and weighs approximately 2.7kg.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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  • 40

    Your baby is now considered full term and will not normally gain much weight at this point.

    How many weeks pregnant?

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3rd Trimester

 

Maternal Weight Gain

1.1kg - 3.5kg

Baby

At week 23 of pregnancy the fetus measures approximately 29cm from crown to heel and weighs around 450g. All body parts, including the head, continue to grow, and the fetus is now proportioned like a newborn baby. The first deposits of body fat are starting to form during this week, although the skin will remain saggy and wrinkled until sufficient fat reserves are formed to fill it. The skin is still translucent and bones and organs are visible through it, as are the developing veins and arteries. Fetal weight gain will continue at a rapid rate over the coming couple of weeks and the fetus will have doubled in weight.

The lungs are developing in preparation for breathing after birth. Hearing is continuing to develop and it is now possible for the fetus to hear distorted versions of loud, external noises such as a vacuum cleaner or loud music playing.

You

By this stage, babies are turning constantly from minute to minute. Most babies are still head-up at this point and will not turn until later in the pregnancy. Your uterus has now grown to the extent that it is approximately 2cms above your belly button. As your tummy expands, you may find that your belly button either flattens, or even starts to stick out! This is a normal consequence of pregnancy and it will return to its original state after your baby is born.

Due to surges in pregnancy hormones, changes in skin are relatively common during pregnancy. These may include redness of palms of the hands and soles of the feet, skin tags and heat rashes and are all completely normal.

Some women also report experiencing ‘pregnancy brain’, characterised by forgetfulness. The most likely cause of this is, once again, hormones. It is a temporary condition that will pass after the birth and is not a cause for concern.

Women often report feeling bloated at this stage of pregnancy. It is most likely the result of the hormone progesterone causing intestinal muscles to relax. This, in turn, causes the digestive system to slow down, allowing nutrients to remain in the gut for longer and to be absorbed into the blood stream more efficiently. You may find it helpful to drink plenty of water. This may also be helpful if you are suffering from constipation. Bleeding and/or inflamed gums are a common problem during pregnancy and are not a cause for concern, however, if you have any concerns about excessive bleeding or irritation, you should consult your dentist.

Symptoms to watch out for

The baby should be moving quite actively at this stage. You may be having painless contractions or tightenings. These are called Braxton Hicks contractions. There should be no change in vaginal discharge at this stage. You should not be feeling undue pressure on your pelvis. If you are experiencing any of this you should consult your midwife or doctor.

What is routinely offered on NHS

You should be seeing your midwife or General Practitioner. Routinely they will test your urine, take your blood pressure and review your scan results. The anomaly scan should have been done. If the anomaly scan has shown anything of significance you will be referred to a consultant.

What other care is available

If you want additional advice you can refer yourself to a private clinic. There you can have an appointment with a midwife, specialist and you can have a high quality ultrasound scan. If you do not have confidence in the NHS scan for whatever reason it can be repeated. In a private clinic there should be more time, often better equipment and access to highly skilled expertise. If you have had a previous late miscarriage or carry twins then a cervical scan is readily available. 

If you are concerened about your diet and nutrution you can arrange to see a specialist pregnancy nutritionist You may like to have pregnancy massage to help with aches and pains.

Pregnancy and Gynaecological Ultrasound Scans Available

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Wimpole Street, London

The Birth Company
Ground Floor
32 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8GT

020 7725 0528
[email protected]

Wimpole Street, London Opening Times

Mon 08:00 - 20:00
Tue 08:00 - 20:00
Wed 08:00 - 20:00
Thu 08:00 - 20:00
Fri 08:00 - 18:00
Sat 09:00 - 16:00
Sun 10:00 - 14:00

Alderley Edge, Cheshire

The Birth Company
Alderley Edge Medical Centre,
Talbot Road,
Alderley Edge
Cheshire
SK9 7HR

01625 70 40 80
[email protected]

Alderley Edge, Cheshire Opening Times

Mon 09:00 - 17:00
Tue 09:00 - 17:00
Wed 09:00 - 17:00
Thu 09:00 - 17:00
Fri 09:00 - 17:00
Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (On selected dates)
Sun Closed
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