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Week 23

Keep it up!

Description

Did you know that your baby, who is only as large as a durian, can now sense your movements? As for you, mum, you may be experiencing frequent urination because your expanding uterus sits on your bladder. Take this as a sign that your baby's growth is on track.

Your Baby's Development

In this week by week pregnancy guide, you'll learn that:

  • Your baby's lungs are developing to prepare for breathing.
  • The lanugo or the fine hair that covers his body may darken by now.
  • His eyes are now completely formed, although they do not have any colour just yet. It is also now when he can open his eyes inside the womb.
  • By this week, you can feel him moving through your womb. He maybe doing somersaults, too... but not for long.
  • His vestibular system, the area in the brain responsible for sensing movement, is developing quickly now. This means he is already actively sensing all your physical movements.
  • He also has developed a stable hearing sense.
  • Babies born at 23 weeks can sometimes survive if they are given the right medical care in an intensive care unit.


Pregnancy Symptoms

  • Boy, are you showing! Your uterus extends 3.8 cm above your belly button and you would have gained anything between 5.4 kg to 6.8 kg.
  • You are peeing frequently because your uterus sits above your bladder. You may even experience leaking of fluids.
  • This time around you will be checked for preterm labour. The anxiety levels will heighten during this week and you will go through varied emotions.
  • At this time you might experience bleeding gums and nosebleeds.


Pregnancy Care

  • To keep the bleeding gums at bay, make good dental hygiene a priority. Due to super active hormones, your gums will suffer inflammation and bleeding, particularly while brushing your teeth.
  • You are peeing constantly, and how! But that’s pretty normal at this stage. Continue drinking water as well as vegetable juices, herbal teas, fruit juice, and milk.
  • When using public toilets, sanitise the seats and maintain minimal contact to avoid infections.


Your Checklist

  • Speak to your company, and plan your maternity leave.
  • Get a new wardrobe!

Tips

Be prepared for leaking of fluids – adult diapers and pads are perfect solutions for this! Don't be embarrassed darling, you are peeing frequently because your uterus sits just above your bladder, so this is perfectly normal!

Reminders

If you've not done so, plan your maternity leave now!

This time around you will be checked for preterm labour – which will probably make you feel highly anxious! Remember your weekly walks to the park or beach; it will definitely lighten your mood and give you a boost of energy!

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