Week Twenty-Three

-Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since he hasn't begun to form body fat.

-Bones located in the middle ear harden.

-Your baby is able to hear. (Dads, did you know: low-frequency sounds mimicking a male voice penetrate the abdomen and uterine wall better than the higher frequencies of the female voice?)
-The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.

-The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.

-If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day. .

-The average baby at this stage weighs 1.1 pound (501gm) and is 11.38 inches (28.9cm) long.




What your baby's up to...

The body of your baby is getting plumper but his skin is still fairly wrinkled due to the lack of subcutaneous fat. Your baby's face and body is looking more and more like those of an infant, the bones of his inner ear are beginning to harden and his pancreas is developing (the pancreas is very important in the production of insulin). Your baby's fingernails are almost fully formed and the lanugo that covers his body is getting more and more dark. You baby is now more than 11 inches long and weighs over a pound.



About you and your body...

Your baby still has lots of room to move around so the kicks, punches and movement you had felt before will continue. In fact, there will be times when you will be able to see your baby moving from the outside! This is a good time to get Dad more involved by letting him feel the baby move.
You may find yourself having, or starting to have, mood swings. Don't worry; these are normal and will subside either late in your third trimester or shortly after the birth of your baby. These mood swings are from the rising hormone levels as your body readies itself for delivery.
Your regular doctor appointments will continue and he/she may palpate your abdomen. This palpation is the doctor's way of feeling the position of the baby. Your doctor will also continue the use of a tape measure to measure your fundal height. Your fundus (top of your uterus) will be approximately one to one-and-a-half inches above your navel at this point. You may worry if you are a bit "too big" or "too small", don't. It is normal for you to be individual in your measurements as every mother is different. However, if you continue to worry, be sure to ask your doctor about your concerns.