Baby Development Week 23

Your baby will be weighing about 1.1 pounds (501 grams) at this stage and the body is becoming more and more in proportion as each week passes. The bones of the middle ear are beginning to harden now as well. 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 movement.

Life with Mom-to-Be
The Braxton Hicks contractions will continue this week. This is nothing to worry about as your uterus contracts all the time throughout your life, but it is generally felt when your uterus is full.

Although labor may seem like a long way off when you're just 23 weeks pregnant, you'll know that it is just a round the corner when you start finding it more difficult to sleep at night. 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 cup of herbal tea 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.

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Select a week of development to read detailed information:

Week 1	Week 11	Week 21	Week 31
Week 2	Week 12	Week 22	Week 32
Week 3	Week 13	Week 23	Week 33
Week 4	Week 14	Week 24	Week 34
Week 5	Week 15	Week 25	Week 35
Week 6	Week 16	Week 26	Week 36
Week 7	Week 17	Week 27	Week 37
Week 8	Week 18	Week 28	Week 38
Week 9	Week 19	Week 29	Week 39
Week 10	Week 20	Week 30	Week 40

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