Pregnancy Calendar - Week 23

Week 23

Yay! Your baby hit the one pound mark! It's little body is becoming more and more proportionate every week.

The bones of the middle ear are beginning to harden. Also, the pigment that colors your baby's skin is being deposited this week.

Even though fat is accumulating on your baby's body, the skin hangs loosely, giving your baby a wrinkled appearance. This happens because the skin is produced more quickly than the fat accumulates.

Your baby's daily workout routine includes moving the muscles in the fingers, toes, arms, and legs regularly. As a result, you may feel more forceful kicks.

The Braxton Hicks contractions will continue this week. This is nothing to worry about as your uterus contracts frequently throughout your life, but it is only felt when your uterus is full. The closer you get to your delivery date, the more trouble you may have sleeping.

Anxiety, frequent urination, heartburn, leg cramps and general discomfort can translate into a short night's sleep for a pregnant woman. Despite those reasons, the health of you and your baby depend on your rest. Try a warm bath, soothing music, a relaxing book or a glass of warm milk to put you in the mood to snooze.

Many doctors recommend that pregnant women sleep on their sides, not their backs or stomachs, so that blood flow to the placenta is not restricted. If you find this uncomfortable, try placing a pillow between your knees to relieve the pressure of your weight while lying on your side.