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.