23 weeks pregnant: your guide to baby’s development & symptoms

At 23 weeks pregnant, lots is happening for you and your baby. While they continue to grow and develop, you might notice that your baby is starting to press on your ribs or stomach, causing new aches and discomfort. Getting plenty of rest and eating a balanced diet can help when it comes to managing any symptoms.

Keep reading to learn more about common 23 weeks pregnant symptoms, as well as tips on getting a good night’s sleep and how your baby is developing in your womb.

Now that you’re 23 weeks pregnant, your baby is reaching new developmental milestones as they prepare for life outside the womb. Let’s take a look at how big your baby (or foetus) is at 23 weeks, and how they are developing. 

Your baby (or foetus) at 23 weeks is about 28.9cm from head to heel, which is around the size of a mango. Their limbs are now in proportion, and they’re starting to look a little more like a newborn¹. Their skin may still be wrinkled and translucent, but as the weeks go on, they’ll lay down more layers of fat and their skin will appear smoother².

Now that your baby is growing, their movements will feel less like flutters and more like clear kicks and jabs. You might be able to see their movements as well as feel them in your bump, which can look a little strange at first¹. You should feel your baby’s movements right up until labour. If they slow down or stop, contact your midwife straight away³.

Your baby has been able to hear noises from inside and outside your body for a while. But at around 26 weeks, you might notice that they move in response to different noises. For example, they might jump at loud noises or turn over when they hear your voice⁴.

Pregnancy at 23 weeks can bring with it some brand new symptoms, as well as the continuation of some that you might already be familiar with. Let’s take a look at some of the most common 23 weeks pregnant symptoms. 

Calcium is an important part of your diet, whether you’re pregnant or not. It contributes to healthy teeth and bones and supports many other essential functions in the body. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pregnant women get 1200mg of calcium per day to support their babies’ development and their own health¹⁶.

Your body can’t make calcium, and you’ll need to get the amount you need from your diet. Sources of calcium include¹⁷:

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yoghurt.
• Soya drinks with added calcium.
• Leafy greens like rocket, watercress and kale.
• Tofu.
• Fish with bones, like sardines and pilchards.
• Fortified foods.

During pregnancy, you’ll need more iron to support your baby and avoid developing iron deficiency anaemia. The World Health Organization recommends that pregnant women get 30mg - 60mg of iron daily²⁰.

Foods that contain iron include¹⁷:

• Green, leafy vegetables
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Lean meats
• Many breakfast cereals

Your iron levels will be monitored throughout your pregnancy. If they become low, your GP or midwife may recommend that you take iron supplements¹⁷.

Here are some of the things you might want to start thinking about at 23 weeks pregnant. 

If you haven’t done so already, now is a good time to tell your employer that you’re pregnant. The latest you should leave this is 15 weeks before your due date, which tends to work out around week 25¹. 

You might want to start thinking about your plans for maternity leave, such as how long you want to take off. You’re entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave with the right to return to work, and 39 weeks’ maternity pay if you meet the criteria²¹.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, try these tips to help you wind down²²:

• Avoid eating within a few hours of going to bed, particularly if you suffer with heartburn.
• Use relaxation techniques such as ‘beditation’ to calm your mind before going to sleep.
• Avoid using your phone or other screens one hour before bed.
• Try to stay active during the day – a gentle walk or swim can work well. 

If you’re still struggling to sleep and it’s starting to impact your mood and emotions, don’t bottle it up. It’s important to talk about your feelings with a loved one, GP or midwife.

No, your baby isn’t fully developed yet. Even though they look more like a newborn, they still have more growth and development to do before they’re ready for the outside world.

Once you reach 24 weeks pregnant, your baby is considered ‘viable’, meaning that they would have a chance of surviving outside the womb given the right specialist support²³.

You should try to have your hospital packed at least 3 weeks before your due date, but it’s never too early to get organised. If you’re starting to think about what you’ll need to bring with you to the hospital, our hospital bag checklist is a great place to start.

Braxton Hicks contractions can happen at any time, but are most common in the last few months of pregnancy¹¹. Some people won’t notice any Braxton Hicks contractions at all, so don’t worry if this isn’t something you experience²⁴.