23 week of pregnancy from conception

What happens to the baby at 23 weeks

At the 23rd week of pregnancy from conception, important processes continue to occur in the body of the crumbs.

– During this period, the fetus has already formed all the internal organs, face, ears, arms and legs. The baby already hears perfectly. The child continues to grow, the cortex of his brain is actively forming. So far, only the lungs of the baby have not yet matured and are not ready for extrauterine life. Although such little babies are already being saved all over the world if they were born prematurely, explains obstetrician-gynecologist Alla Meshcheryakova.

The baby’s heart beats at a frequency of 120-150 beats per minute. With the help of a stethoscope or a special tube, the doctor can perfectly hear the baby’s heartbeat, anyone who puts their ear to the tummy can do it.

Fetal ultrasound

With an ultrasound of the fetus at the 23rd week of pregnancy, the doctor can easily determine the sex of the unborn baby. The main thing is to wait until the baby takes a suitable position for examination.

On the screen, you can see that the child is very mobile, he can easily turn upside down and back. A couple more weeks – and the baby will choose the position in which he is most comfortable, this will be the presentation.

“The height of the fundus of the uterus at the 23rd week of pregnancy from conception is already slightly above the navel, and the movements of the fetus are felt more and more,” the doctor clarifies.

In general, in the normal state of the mother and child, there are no indications for ultrasound of the fetus at the 23rd week of pregnancy, but in some cases such a study is justified. Usually, additional ultrasounds are prescribed for women with multiple pregnancies, suspected isthmic-cervical insufficiency, in cases where spotting or abdominal pain is observed.

Photo life

By the 23rd week of pregnancy, the baby already weighs almost 800 grams, and its height exceeds 30 cm. In terms of parameters, it is close to a papaya.

“With such dimensions, the mother’s tummy is already visible to everyone around,” says obstetrician-gynecologist Alla Meshcheryakova.

A photo of the abdomen at 23 weeks of pregnancy will allow even girls of not the most fragile physique to demonstrate their position to the world.

Further, according to doctors, the uterus with the baby inside will begin to stretch, and the tummy will protrude forward more and more.

What happens to mom at 23 weeks

The baby is growing by leaps and bounds, and it may seem to mom that she is becoming more and more clumsy and heavy. You should not run to the gym and try to regain your former feeling of lightness with exercises. During this period, it is important to be careful with loads. It is better to avoid coordination exercises, because with a significant increase in weight at the waist, your center of gravity has shifted and familiar athletic positions can lead to a fall.

At a period of 23 weeks of pregnancy from conception, the gynecologist may recommend that the expectant mother donate blood for hemoglobin. This is necessary to make sure that a woman does not have symptoms of anemia of pregnancy, which occurs due to a lack of iron. If signs of deficiency are detected in a timely manner, the doctor will be able to prescribe an appropriate iron supplement.

During this period, the mother should think about whether she will breastfeed her baby. If so, start preparing for it ahead of time. Until the appearance of milk, which begins to be produced approximately on the third day after birth, the baby will feed on colostrum. In some women in position, it appears already in the second trimester. In no case do not squeeze it out, just gently blot it with a napkin. Colostrum is good for the baby, as it helps his digestive system prepare for an unusual new diet.

What sensations can you experience in 23 week

1. At the 23rd week of pregnancy from conception, a woman may feel heartburn and other discomfort from the gastrointestinal tract. The cause of the problem is the uterus, it has increased and puts pressure on the hypochondrium, shifts the stomach. As a result, gastric juice continually rises up into the esophagus. With heartburn, doctors recommend drinking milk in small portions during the day, not eating at night, but sleeping in a position with a slightly raised head.
   
2. Shortness of breath and pain in the hypochondrium. They also occur due to the pressure of the uterus on the diaphragm and due to the increased volume of blood in the mother’s body. Try to avoid heavy loads and give yourself rest more often.
   
3. Itching. Sometimes the skin of expectant mothers begins to itch, which means that she may not have enough fluid. Drink plenty of water, moisturize your skin, and avoid hot baths. If the scabies does not go away, tell your doctor about it, it may be some kind of allergic reaction or infection.
   
4. Frequent urination. The baby puts pressure not only on the organs in the hypochondrium, but also on the bladder, which is why you have to run to the toilet more often. Feel free to do this as many times as you want, otherwise you risk getting cystitis.

Monthly

If in the first trimester of pregnancy spotting is not such an unusual phenomenon, then in the second their appearance should alert the woman.

There can be many reasons for bleeding:

• sensitivity of the internal genital organs or their active blood supply;
• irritation of the cervix or vaginal mucosa after having sex or being examined by a gynecologist;
• slight placental abruption (the discharge will be pinkish);
• if it bleeds on the days when menstruation should have been, then this may be a hormonal failure;
• risk of preterm birth.

– Urgent measures should be taken as soon as you see blood clots. The sooner this is done, the more likely it is to save the life and health of the crumbs, the doctors specify.

Stomach ache

There can also be many reasons for abdominal pain during pregnancy, only a specialist can establish a specific one.

Not all pain is directly related to pregnancy. Sometimes the pain comes from the digestive system or from kidney problems. Many existing sores can worsen during the period of bearing a baby. Often, for example, appendicitis makes itself felt. Problems with stools and heartburn are almost constant companions of pregnant women.

Sometimes pain occurs due to pinching of the sciatic nerve, in other situations – due to a shift in the center of gravity and load on the spine.

However, abdominal pain can also be a signal of problems with the baby. Often, pain in the lower abdomen is accompanied by placental abruption, uterine hypertonicity and premature birth. If the discomfort inside makes mom feel anxious, it’s best to trust your instincts and call a doctor.

Brown discharge

Brown discharge from the genitals in the second trimester does not necessarily mean problems with the placenta or the onset of preterm labor. Much more alarming in this case is the discharge of scarlet blood. However, in 10-12 percent of cases, brownish discharge may mean that the baby is in a hurry to be born. In the latter case, smearing brownish discharge is usually accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen.

Pinkish discharge from the vagina may indicate a slight detachment of the placenta, under which blood accumulates. This condition also needs medical attention.

Abundant watery discharge is a sign that amniotic fluid is leaking. Hoping that everything will go away on its own, in this case it is not worth it, immediately call an ambulance.

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