23rd week of pregnancy for mother and baby - 6th month of pregnancy
If you have reached the twenty-third week of pregnancy it means that the sixth month of your journey has already begun, which will lead you to the moment of birth and to the meeting with your baby. The growth of the fetus is proceeding smoothly also in this quarter and certainly you will have already had the opportunity to see it with the ultrasound. But what else do you need to know for the expectant mother? Before reading further, here is a video with the things not to do during pregnancy.
Symptoms
We have collected the typical symptoms of the 23rd week of pregnancy. Here they are below.
- food cravings
- frequent urge to pee due to the pressure made by the child on the bladder
- pain in the round ligament of the uterus
- insomnia
- shortness of breath and pain in the ribs
- joint pain in the thighs, hips and back
- constipation, bloating, indigestion and bloating
- contractions of Braxton Hicks
- congested nose
- burning throat
- cramps in the lower limbs
- varicose veins
- hemorrhoids
- strange dreams due to the increase in hormone levels
- pain in the coccyx
- itching around the belly, back and breasts
- hot flashes alternating with chills
- swollen and bleeding gums
- mood swings
See also
23rd week of pregnancy: changes in the woman's body
As your pregnancy progresses, you risk suffering from circulatory disorders, which can manifest as a feeling of heaviness or pain in the legs. It may happen that, especially at the end of the day, varicose veins (purple or dark red capillaries) or varicose veins become accentuated or appear. To alleviate or prevent this type of problem, we advise you to practice regular and not too intense physical activity (walking, swimming), to avoid standing too long, not to expose yourself to the sun in summer, to avoid places too hot.
We also recommend that you wear supportive tights or stockings, which are very effective if you suffer from these ailments.
Your overall weight gain in these weeks should go as follows:
- 10 to 15 kilos for a normal pregnancy;
- from 15 to 20 kilos in the case of twin pregnancy;
- about 5-10 kilos in the case of overweight pregnancy.
Have you already chosen the name for your baby? If you run out of ideas, get inspired by our list of names for all tastes!
The growth and development of the baby at the twenty-third week of pregnancy
The baby will now be about the size of a mango, measuring 29cm in total and weighing 450g.
His body will continue to develop both internally, with the formation of internal organs, and externally as regards the skin, etc ... continuing the process of anatomical and physiological maturation.
The endocrine glands, the digestive system, the neurological and cardio-vascular ones ... become more and more autonomous. The respiratory system experiences a particular phase of development since, in the mother's belly, it is not yet in contact with the atmosphere. The fetus is oxygenated through the maternal blood.
During this week the protective layer of keratin begins to develop which will thicken the skin making it ready for contact with the outside.
The lungs, of course, will be functional from the moment of birth. But their "maturation" occurs quite late, during the third trimester of pregnancy: it is at this moment that the pulmonary alveoli progressively secrete a surfactant compound, an essential substance for the proper functioning of the respiratory system.
Your baby's hearing and balance are getting better and better, thanks also to the development of the bones of the inner ear: now your baby will be less bothered by sounds than before.
The development of the muscles and nervous system also continues, the little one is able to deliver strong kicks and punches that you may also see from the outside of the abdomen.
A sleep-wake rhythm is created, even if it often does not coincide with that of the mother and when she would like to sleep, the baby is in full swing.
Our advice
Heavy legs
The increase in weight and the phenomenon of the compression of the uterus on the blood vessels of the abdomen, favor a feeling of "heavy" legs. This circulatory insufficiency can cause pain, a sense of heaviness in the legs, and even the appearance of veins varicose or edema in the lower limbs.
There are treatments that consist, first of all, in avoiding blood stagnation (if you stand too long, you expose yourself to too high temperatures - even when you take a bath -, you wear clothes that are too tight).
Some good habits to follow to "lighten" your legs
- If you have flat feet, choose shoes that have a heel of at least 3 or 4 cm. Conversely, if your foot is very arched, wear flat shoes. These tricks will favor the flow of blood to the heart.
- Avoid standing too long or walking too slowly.
- Also avoid wearing pants or socks that are too tight, which impede good circulation; do not expose your legs to heat sources: sun exposure, saunas, hot baths, hot waxing, etc.
- Sleep with your legs raised 10-15cm to promote circulation.
- Tights (special for pregnancy) or compression stockings are very useful, because they exert a stronger pressure on the ankles, where the blood tends to stagnate.
- Spread a jet of cold water on your legs every day.
- If possible, walk every day for half an hour at a brisk pace, breathing deeply. And, if you are brave, do this very simple exercise: lie on your back, bend your legs and raise your right leg vertically; do about ten circles with the tip of the foot Then, switch legs and do the same thing with the left.
When to go to the doctor?
If a calf or a varix swells, becomes hard, red and hurts you, consult your doctor or midwife immediately: it could be the onset of phlebitis.
Useful information not to be forgotten
- Enroll in the childbirth preparation course
- If you are not married, it is time to think about recognizing the baby before birth.
- Fourth obligatory prenatal gynecological examination.
- Beginning of childbirth preparation courses
