At 23 weeks, which equals 6 months of pregnancy, the baby is able to feel the movements of the mother's body and the hearing gets sharpened especially for more serious sounds. It is a good time to listen to different types of music and sounds so that the baby becomes more and more accustomed to external sounds.
How the baby develops at 23 weeks of gestation
The development of the baby at 23 weeks is marked by red and wrinkled skin due to the presence of blood vessels quite visible through its transparent skin. Regardless of race, children are born with reddish skin tone and only get their definitive color throughout the first year of life.
In addition, other changes occurring around 6 months of pregnancy are:
- The lungs continue to develop, especially the blood vessels that will irrigate them;
- The baby's eyes begin to move through rapid movements;
- The features of the baby's face are already defined;
- The hearing is already clearer, making the baby already able to hear loud and loud noises, sounds of the heart beats and the stomach of the mother.
Around 23 weeks is also when the pancreas is activated, causing the baby's body to be ready to produce insulin from now on.
How big is the baby?
Generally, at 23 weeks of gestation, the fetus measures approximately 28 centimeters and has a weight of about 500g. However, its size may vary slightly and so it is very important to consult the obstetrician frequently to evaluate the evolution of the baby's weight.
What changes in the 23-week-old woman
The main changes in the woman with 23 weeks' gestation are:
- The height of the uterus may have already reached 22 cm;
- Appearance of stretch marks, especially for women who have a hereditary tendency to develop them. As a prevention, it is important to always use moisturizing creams in the most critical regions such as belly, thighs and buttocks;
- Pain in the spine, especially in the lower back. It is important to avoid wearing high shoes, always lie on your side in bed, with your legs bent and preferably with a cushion between your knees;
- Difficulties in balance, because at this stage the center of gravity of the mother begins to change, which takes some time to get used to;
- The navel begins to become more evident, but after birth everything will return to normal.
- The weight can increase about 4 to 6 kg, which depends on the woman's body mass index and her diet. Learn how not to put on weight in pregnancy in the following video:
Some women at this stage develop gingivitis, which are inflammations in the gums and cause some bleeding when brushing teeth. Good hygiene, flossing and dental support are essential.
Your pregnancy by quarter
To make your life easier and you do not waste time looking, we separate all the information you need for each trimester of gestation. What quarter are you in?
- 1st Quarter (1st to 13th week)
- 2nd Quarter (14th to 27th week)
- 3rd Quarter (from the 28th to the 41st week)
