23weeks
pregnant

Medically reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader

Written by Chess Thomas

IN THIS ARTICLE

Highlights this week

Your baby can hear sounds from the outside world.

Constipation is common in pregnancy. Find out how to relieve symptoms.

Baby development at 23 weeks

Your baby now weighs about 568g (1.3lb), and measures around 30.6cm (12.1in) from head (crown) to heel (Hill 2019).

At 23 weeks, your baby is becoming more sensitive to sounds. They may have been able to hear your heartbeat or your voice as early as 16 weeks, but these sounds are now much clearer to them (Lopez-Teijon et al 2015).

Your baby's bone marrow is making most of their red blood cells (Moore et al 2019, Visembryo 2014). Until now, this role has been shared with their liver (Palis 2014, Visembryo 2014). Their tiny heart is beating stronger (Visembryo 2014), and as blood is pumped around their body, their thin skin appears red (Hoath and Mauro 2014, Moore et al 2019).

Your baby's eyes are starting to move under still-closed lids
Your baby's skull is made up of five major bones
Blood vessels in the lungs are growing and expanding
Your baby can hear loud sounds, like a dog barking

Advertisement | page continues below

Your baby weighs as much as a large mango

length

30.6

head to toe

weight

568

grams

Pregnancy symptoms at 23 weeks

If you’re suffering from constipation or feeling sluggish, it could be caused by the pregnancy hormone progesterone. When you're expecting, food moves more slowly through your gut, which makes it difficult for you to poo. As your baby grows, they’ll put pressure on your bottom, which can also slow your system down. You may find constipation embarrassing, but almost half of all pregnant women suffer from it at some point during pregnancy, so you’re not alone.

Eating more fibre and plenty of fruit and veg will help to keep everything moving and prevent bloating. Upping your fluid intake will also help to keep your stools soft. Staying active can also help, as well as making you feel fitter. Avoid taking iron supplements unless they're prescribed. Our remedies for pregnancy constipation should help you to feel more comfortable.

Straining to poo can sometimes cause piles or small tears called anal fissures, which can add to your discomfort. If you have any bleeding from your bottom, mention it to your midwife at your next appointment, or see your GP.

You're probably feeling bigger movements now, such as kicks and jabs

What you need to know at 23 weeks pregnant

Your baby is starting to recognise the distinctive sound of your voice. You and your partner can build on this familiarity by singing them lullabies and talking to them regularly while they’re in the womb (uterus). You may even find that singing the same lullabies to them, once they’re born, will help to settle them more quickly.

"I play classical music to my bump. I know it's a myth that this makes babies brainy, but you never know. I could have a little Einstein in there!"

Miriam

Your pregnancy to-do list at 23 weeks

You need to tell your employer when you'd like to start maternity leave or paternity leave. Find out more.
Feeling under the weather? Get the low-down on coughs and colds in pregnancy.
Is running safe when you're expecting? Get the facts.
Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure? Find out how it may affect your pregnancy and labour.

Check out the BabyCentre podcast!

The Parent Pod is BabyCentre’s brilliantly entertaining and informative podcast series. Join hosts Claire and Lucy as they walk your exciting journey with you each week from early pregnancy until your baby is 12 weeks old. Subscribe now on the usual channels. Learn more

Sources

BabyCentre's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organisations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

Hill MA. 2019. Fetal development. University of New South Wales Embryology. embryology.med.unsw.edu.auOpens a new window [Accessed November 2019]

Hoath SB, Mauro T. 2015. Fetal skin development. In: Eichenfield LF, Frieden IJ, Mathes E, et al. Eds. Neonatal and infant dermatology. 3rd ed. London: Elsevier. 1-13

Lopez-Teijon M, Garcia-Faura A, Prats-Galino A. 2015. Fetal facial expression in response to intravaginal music emission. Ultrasound 23(4):216-23. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.govOpens a new window [Accessed November 2019]

Moore KL, Persaud TVN, Torchia MG. 2019. Fetal period: ninth week to birth. Chapter 6 in The developing human: clinically oriented embryology. 11th ed. Elsevier

Palis J. 2014. Primitive and definitive erythropoiesis in mammals. Front Physiol 5:3. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.govOpens a new window [Accessed November 2019]

RCOG. 2019. Information for you: your baby's movements in pregnancy. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. www.rcog.org.ukOpens a new window [Accessed November 2019]

Visembryo. 2014. 20 weeks post ovulation: bone marrow starts making blood cells. The Visible Embryo. www.visembryo.comOpens a new window [Accessed November 2019]