How does my baby grow at 23 weeks?

Your baby is now around 28.9cm long (that's the size of a butternut squash). While your baby’s lungs don’t yet function properly, they practice breathing movements to prepare for the outside world. Your baby is still getting all the oxygen it needs from the placenta.

The liver and spleen used to produce red blood cells for your baby, but now their bone marrow has taken over that job. Blood is being pumped around even more by the heart, which is beating faster than ever.

What are the pregnancy symptoms at 23 weeks?

At this stage, you might start noticing that you have developed piles. These are swellings in and around your bottom that can develop or worsen during pregnancy. They can be very uncomfortable and can be caused by your veins relaxing due to pregnancy hormones. Symptoms include:

Itching, aching, or soreness around the anus

A lump that hangs outside the entrance to your back passage

Bleeding after emptying your bowels.

Pain when and after going to the toilet to empty your bowels.

A mucus-like discharge after using the bathroom.

Piles can affect just about anyone, pregnant or not. However, because certain pregnancy hormones cause veins to relax, piles do often affect pregnant women. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ease piles.

The first thing to remember about piles is that they’re often brought on and made worse by constipation. So, it’s important to eat plenty of fibre-rich foods, including fruit, vegetables, and wholemeal bread. Similarly, you’ll want to avoid foods like white bread and pasta. And drink lots and lots of water!

You can also try:

Holding a soft, ice-cold cloth against the piles to ease the swelling and pain.

Clean your back passage with moist toilet paper.

Patting the area clean instead of rubbing.

Refrain from standing for too long.

Getting plenty of regular exercise to improve circulation.

Gently push piles back into the rectum with lubricant gels if one is sticking out.

Try to avoid straining while you’re on the toilet, as this can make piles worse. You can also ask your GP or midwife to prescribe creams or ointments to soothe any pain.

Generally speaking, piles will disappear over time, especially if you’re able to eat plenty of fibre-rich foods, drink lots of water, and partake in some daily exercise. If piles become painfully large, you may be offered surgery. However, most doctors won’t recommend surgery while pregnant.

Constipation can also be a problem, again caused by pregnancy hormones. Fibre is once again coming to the rescue, as it helps move everything along and keeps your poo soft. If you strain to poo, you could cause piles or anal fissures, which are indeed very painful. Contact your doctor if you have any bleeding from your bottom.

What else do I need to know about being 23 weeks pregnant?

Now that your baby can hear, they’ll slowly start to recognise the tone and pitch of your voice. Try singing them lullabies and nursery rhymes! Your partner can also join in, making them feel included in this bond with your baby.

Don’t forget to start doing your pelvic floor exercises if you haven’t already. You can do these in conjunction with perineal massage to help protect your perineum at the time of delivering your baby.

What Does My Pregnancy Look Like at 23 Weeks?

Uncomfortable symptoms, baby growth and more about your pregnancy at 23 weeks.