Week 23

My Baby's Development

Even though fat begins to accumulate on your baby's body, its skin still hangs loosely (giving your baby a wrinkled appearance). Your baby's daily workout routine includes moving the muscles in the fingers, toes, arms and legs.

By now your baby weighs a little more than 1 pound (454g). If preterm labor and delivery occur by this week, a baby could survive with expert medical care, but the baby might have mild to severe disabilities. With increasing research and knowledge in fetal medicine, the long-term prognosis for premature babies (preemies) improves every year.

My Body

The closer you get to your delivery date, you may have more problem in sleeping. Anxiety, frequent urination, leg cramps, heartburn and general discomfort can translate into a short night sleep for pregnant women. But your baby's health and your own health depend whether you get adequate rest. A warm bath, a relaxing book, a cup of herbal tea or some soothing music may put you in a snooze mood.

Doctors recommend that pregnant women sleep on their sides, but not their back or stomach so that the blood will flow to the placenta with no restriction. If you find this uncomfortable, you may place a pillow between your knees to relieve the pressure of your weight while lying on your side.

Week 22

My Baby's Development

Your baby’s senses to learn about the world are developing daily. Taste buds start to form on the tongue. The brain and nerve endings are formed enough so that the fetus can start to feel touch. Your baby may experiment with this newly found sense of touch by stroking his or her face or sucking on a thumb, as well as feeling other body parts and seeing how they move.

Your baby's reproductive system continues to develop too. In boys, the testes begin to descend from the abdomen. In girls, the uterus and ovaries are in place and the vagina is developed.

My Body

Your body may soon notice your uterus practicing for delivery with irregular, painless contractions called Braxton Hicks contractions. You may feel a squeezing sensation in your abdomen. Don't worry. Your baby may be able to feel the contraction as it squeezes the uterus. Braxton Hicks contractions are not dangerous or harmful. If the contractions become more intense, painful or frequent, consult your health care provider immediately because painful and regular contractions may be a sign of preterm labor.

Week 21

My Baby's Development

The amniotic fluid that has supported and cushioned your baby in the uterus now serves another purpose. The intestines have developed enough. Small amounts of sugars can be absorbed from the fluid that is swallowed and passed through the digestive system to the large bowel. Almost all of your baby's nourishment comes from you through the placenta.

Until now your baby's liver and spleen have responsibility to produce blood cells. The bone marrow spaces are developed enough to contribute to blood cell formation as well. The bone marrow will become the major site for blood cell production in the third trimester and after birth. (The spleen will stop to produce blood cells by week 30 and the liver will stop for a few weeks before birth.)

My Body

Exercise may keep you to stay in shape during your pregnancy and can even keep some symptoms (such as varicose veins, excessive weight gain and backache) to a minimum. Since the ligaments become more relaxed during pregnancy, you're at higher risk for injury. So, low-impact or non-impact exercises (such as swimming, walking and yoga) are your best bets. Consult your health care provider before beginning any exercise program while you're pregnant.

Week 20

My Baby's Development

Your pregnancy is halfway there! 20 weeks into your pregnancy, your baby has grown significantly from the very first dividing cell. It’s now measures about 6.3 inches (16cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 11 ounces (312g). Your baby is taking up increasing space in your uterus and its continued growth will put pressure on your stomach, lungs, kidneys and bladder.

Your baby's skin is thickening and developing layers under the vernix caseosa (a protective, waxy coating). Hair and nails continue to grow.

My Body

Your health care provider may recommend you for an ultrasound of your baby. An ultrasound is a diagnostic test that uses sound waves to create an image on a monitor. It can determine the size and position of the fetus. During an ultrasound, any structural abnormalities of bones and organs that are visible can be determined. The umbilical cord, placenta and amniotic fluid can also be examined. If the position of the fetus allows, the sex of your baby can usually be determined by this week.