Pregnancy & Childbirth

  1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. Pregnancy & Childbirth

Pregnancy Week Twenty-Three - Pregnancy Week by Week - Pregnancy Calendar

By Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE, About.com

Baby's Face in Ultrasound

Mother

During your appointments your practitioner may palpate your abdomen. This process is a way of feeling the position of the baby. A tape measure will also be used to measure your fundal height. This is the top of your uterus and is a good indicator of the continued growth of your baby. Some people will worry if they measure a bit "too big" or "too small." However, it is completely normal to have slight variations at this point. Be sure to ask your practitioner if you are worried. Stop by and check out our Belly Gallery to see other bellies!

Baby

The baby's finger nails are almost fully formed and the lanugo darkens. Your baby continues to grow in preparation for the journey of birth. He or she is totally unaffected by the Braxton Hicks, or practice, contractions. Baby weighs 1 pound 2 ounces (510 grams).

(Weights can vary widely. See your practitioner with questions.)

Dad

Mom may actually feel Braxton Hicks contractions, or she might just happen to notice with her hand a slight tensing of her abdomen. This is just her uterine muscle preparing for birth. The uterus actually contracts at all phases of a woman's life, however, we rarely notice this unless our uterus is full! Though it is handy to know the signs of premature labor to help protect your baby.

Twin Tips

Picking a baby name can be a lot of fun, picking two or more baby names is twice the fun and the hassle. Remember when choosing names that multiples might not always want to be a part of a set when it comes to names. Try to pick stand-alone names as you would for any sibling.

Suggested Reading

The VBAC Companion by Diana Korte
This book is considered the most up-to-date book on vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
Click Here to Order

<--- Previous Week | Next Week --->

More Pregnancy Weeks

Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 |

Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 |

Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21 | Week 22 |

Week 23 | Week 24 | Week 25 | Week 26 | Week 27 | Week 28 | Week 29 |

Week 30 | Week 31 | Week 32 | Week 33 | Week 34 | Week 35 | Week 36 |

Week 37 | Week 38 | Week 39 | Week 40 | Week 41 | Week 42

Photo © J. Ashworth

Explore Pregnancy & Childbirth

About.com Special Features

Out of Dinner Ideas?

Try our Meal Planner for great recipe ideas that are guaranteed to make meal prep easier. More >

What is a Recession?

Sure, we're all talking about it, but what, exactly, defines a recession? More >

Pregnancy & Childbirth

  1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. Pregnancy & Childbirth
  4. Your Pregnant Body
  5. Pregnancy Calendar
  6. Pregnancy Week Twenty-Three - Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week by Week - Second Trimester

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.