The 23rd week of pregnancy is five and a half obstetric months, which, unlike the lunar months, do not consist of approximately 29,5 days, but exactly 28. The term is already quite impressive, but the first meeting with the baby is still far away. Therefore, for now, you need to enjoy your position, not forgetting that a new life is ripening inside.
Fetal development at 23 weeks gestation
Now the weight of the child is about 0,5 kg, and his height can reach up to 29 cm.
The 23rd week of pregnancy is characterized by active growth of the fetal brain. From only 2 to 5 months, the brain increased in size by 10 times. At the moment, his weight is about 24 g, and in the next two weeks he will become 5 times heavier. Therefore, it is so important that the baby does not experience oxygen starvation, which can adversely affect the development of the brain. Given this factor, a woman should spend as much time as possible in the fresh air, taking daily walks. In addition, you need to try to protect yourself from stressful situations as much as possible.
By week 23, the baby’s digestive tract is fully formed. He has his own stomach, liver, esophagus, pancreas, intestines. Moreover, this complex system is already working. The baby constantly swallows amniotic fluid, making about 60 respiratory movements per minute. Sometimes the baby even hiccups, which is quite clearly felt by the expectant mother. The pancreas, which produces insulin, continues to actively develop.
After the amniotic fluid enters the fetal esophagus, sugar and water are synthesized from it. From sugars, the first feces of the child, meconium, which will also consist of bile, is formed.
The baby’s skin is covered with wrinkles, it has not yet smoothed out. Under it began to accumulate the first brown fat. Lanugo – the hairs that cover the body of the fetus – darken at this time.
Gradually, nails form on the fingertips.
At 23 weeks, the spleen begins to work for the first time. It is engaged in the production of red blood cells and destroys those that turn out to be “poor quality”.
Boys have developed scrotums, and girls have ovaries that already contain millions of eggs needed to produce their own offspring.
Most scientists are of the opinion that the baby begins to see his first dreams precisely from the 23rd week of intrauterine life. Although the child sleeps most of the time, he wakes up briefly every hour.