Week 23
Baby
This week baby weighs almost 1 pound and is nearly 11 inches long. Although he is growing rapidly, he still has plenty of room for flopping around in there, so he may still be pretty rambunctious. If you sneeze or cough, baby may jump in reaction. Once he gets used to a repeated noise, he will get used to it and no longer respond. He will also learn the sound of your voice, and may respond by moving around when he hears your voice.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. The information
listed on this site is designed to give you a general idea of your baby’s current development.
Mommy
Your uterus has now raised to about 1 ½ inches above your belly button. Baby is so big by now that dad can probably feel him move around or kick. You may start to notice your Braxton Hicks Contractions. If you have been suffering with increased headaches due to your hormones, they will start to fade away soon. But you may notice your feet and ankles beginning to swell due to edema. Edema comes from changes in your blood chemistry that cause fluid to shift into your tissue and because your growing uterus puts pressure on the veins returning blood from the lower half of your body, slowing circulation in your legs. The worst effects of Edema are generally present at the end of a long day, or during warmer weather. The best way to relieve some of this swelling and pressure is to put your feet up, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, and make sure to stretch you legs often. The swelling will subside generally within a week of your baby's birth. In the meantime, make sure to drink plenty of water. Despite how it may seem, water intake is actually helpful when you are experiencing edema or water retention.