Your Pregnancy at Week 23

By week 23, your body has gone through a lot of changes. For many, this includes thicker hair, fingernails that grow faster, and their skin might have that pregnant glow - which is excellent! However, many individuals also experience changes that take away a bit of that glow and happiness, such as increased body hair, stretch marks, and larger feet.

As far as your extra body hair may be concerned, your pregnancy hormones are again at fault. Specifically, the androgens are to blame for any little hairs showing up on your belly, chin, arms, and back. Safe solutions to these undesirables include tweezing, waxing, or shaving. Bleaching, however, is not a safe option.

Are you having multiples? Talk to your medical provider about symptoms of preterm labor, as carrying multiples puts you at a risk for premature birth.

At week 23, your feet may have increased by half a shoe size and may continue growing. Swelling, called edema, accounts for some of this growth. You can guess who the other culprit responsible is. That's right, it's your dear ol' pregnancy hormones! Your hormones are relaxing and loosening ligaments and joints, and this sometimes causes some women's feet to spread. Don't squish your feet into shoes that are too tight!

On top of everything that already aches and pains your body, does the plethora of issues associated with wearing shoes too small for your feet not need to be added? Purchase a new pair of shoes! And because gravity is real, you should put your feet up three to four times daily. Wear compression socks. Ask your partner for a foot and ankle massage. All of these things will increase your circulation and help disperse the edema.

If you have any new stretch marks or tiny tears in the supportive tissue located just beneath the skin, they may look dark during this pregnancy. The good news is these marks tend to fade over time. Many pregnant people use ample oils, creams, butters, and lotions to prevent stretch marks. No product is medically proven to cure, prevent, or eliminate stretch marks. But we can dream…

Are you having back pain? Your body isn't used to the additional weight it now carries, and there's a good chance your posture has likely changed. Talk to your doctor about your options before taking any pain medication, and try to maintain correct posture.

Here is a list of some symptoms you could experience this week.

Swelling, or edema, in your ankles and/or feet: some swelling is normal and expected during pregnancy, especially if you are on your feet all day, but it’s best to keep an eye on any sudden changes. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing sudden, persistent or severe swelling, as this could be a warning sign of a dangerous complication called preeclampsia. 

Stretch marks and/or unwanted hair growth: as your baby continues to grow and your body grows to accommodate, your skin may experience stretching, leaving marks and causing discomfort. You may also notice hair growing in places it didn’t grow previously, or growing more aggressively than it did before. You can utilize lotions and creams to soothe irritated skin; but stretch marks are largely genetic and not something you should feel guilty for not “preventing”.  Unwanted hair growth can be shaved or plucked. Waxing may not be advisable during pregnancy and should be explored as an option with caution. 

Thicker hair & stronger nails: this side effect of changing hormones and prenatal vitamins can be most welcome! Enjoy!

Braxton Hicks: also referred to as “practice contractions” Braxton Hicks are your body’s way of preparing for giving birth. They are generally painless, or uncomfortable at most– like subtle period cramps. If you are experiencing severe pain, or the cramping does not stop– seek medical attention.

Bleeding and/or swollen gums: increased blood volume can make ruptures in sensitive places like the nasal membranes and gum line more likely. Dental health is critical during pregnancy, so you should continue to brush and floss– but take care to do so gently!

Interrupted sleep: between getting up to use the bathroom, leg cramps, shortness of breath, and even heartburn– you may be struggling to get a decent amount of sleep during the night. 

Backaches and/or leg cramps: aches and pains are an uncomfortable, albeit normal, part of pregnancy. Stay hydrated and talk to your doctor about safe pain relief options that may offer some comfort.

Crazy dreams: vivid dreams can be some of the more interesting pregnancy symptoms. While the cause is unknown it may have something to do with hormones, or the fact that nausea or frequent urination means you are not sleeping as deeply and can remember your dreams more easily. 

Have you started a baby registry? A fun distraction from all negative symptoms of pregnancy at week 23 is starting or working on your baby registry. Have fun browsing the many adorable baby products available nowadays. A registry is a great way to let your friends and family know exactly what you need - and want - for your little one. You may be drawn to the toys or clothing, but be sure to include supplies, such as diapers and baby wipes. You'll be amazed at the number of diapers your baby will go through!

You've also been literally connected with your little one since the first moment you discovered you were pregnant. After carrying your baby, every hour of every day for about ten months, it may be difficult to put any distance between you two after birth. There is a product you can add to your baby registry to ease your mind and any separation anxiety: a baby monitor. The most basic type of baby monitor has a transmitter, which stays near your baby and picks up any noises made, and one or two receivers, which allow you to listen. Some models include flashing lights and battery powered portability in its design.

Other upgraded models come with a sensor that fits underneath the crib mattress and detects movement, even sounding an alarm if movement stops altogether for a specified period of time.

Finally, there are video monitors.