Feeling baby's kicks? Want to know how maternal well-being and baby kicks are linked? Read on to find out and get guidance for week 23 of your pregnancy!
Your body
What to expect in Week 23
As your bump grows you might be feeling increasingly anxious. You may also seem to forget things easily – often referred to as pregnancy brain! You may start to get rib pain as your rib cage expands and your breasts could leak colostrum. Colostrum is the first milk you produce after giving birth, which is thick and usually a golden yellow colour and is essential to help your baby fight off infections. If you notice dark pigmentation in your skin, it could be sunburn.
Baby size
What to expect
Your baby is the size of a Grapefruit (roughly 28 cm long and 475 gms).
Your baby
What to expect
Baby is practising breathing and his/her heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope. The baby also begins to rapidly gain weight and kicks around a lot. You will notice your tummy moving! Baby’s brain is developing and he/she starts recognising your voice.
Taking care of yourself
Tips
- Practise relaxation techniques to overcome your pregnancy worries – yoga is a good de-stressor.
- Slide a pillow between your legs and rest with your knees bent when you sleep – this should give you a good night’s rest.
- Keep a bottle or glass of water always by your side.
- Make sure you are getting your extra dose of vitamins and iron supplement
- Avoid face makeup with chemicals to cover any dark discolouration that you may get. These disappear automatically a few months after delivery.
Ask your doctor
- I get tired very easily; feel weak, breathless and dizzy. What is the problem?
- I get a lot of upper back pain. What should I do?
- How do I stop the burning sensation I get when I go to the bathroom?
Actions
To do list
- Book an antenatal appointment with your doctor.
- Have my iron supplement and prenatal vitamins
- Have 8 glasses of water a day.
- Make sure to have an extra pillow between your legs when you go to sleep.
Kushal workshops are conducted once a week to help pregnant women learn how to stay physically and mentally healthy.
Questions you may have
I have many cups of tea in a day. Is that okay?
“I was advised to try to give up the habit of drinking tea and coffee. Too much tea or coffee in pregnancy is linked to miscarriage and low birth weight. If you can’t give up, try not to have more than two cups of tea a day!”
From: NHS, UK
You can have caffeine, but no more than 200mg per day.
There is:
- 100mg in a mug of instant coffee
- 140mg in a mug of filter coffee
- 75mg in a mug of tea (green tea can have the same amount of caffeine as regular tea)
- 40mg in a can of cola
- 80mg in a 250ml can of energy drink
- less than 25mg in a 50g bar of plain dark chocolate
- less than 10mg in a 50g bar of plain milk chocolate
I see these strange movements in my tummy! What is that?
“That is because of your baby kicking and moving. It is a sign that baby is well!”
Between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, you should start to feel your baby move. If this is your first child, you might not feel movements until after 20 weeks.
Tell your doctor if you haven't felt your baby move by 24 weeks. They will listen to your baby's heartbeat and watch how it moves.
Up until and during birth, you should feel your baby move. (source: NHS, UK)
Feeling Stressed
Caesarian Section: find out more
Disclaimer
Kushal's website provides health, fitness, and nutrition recommendations for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any health concerns, you should always check with your healthcare provider.