Pregnancy Week 23

What’s your baby up to?

Your baby is gearing up for a growth spurt. He will double his weight over the next 4 weeks.

Now, he weighs about 500g and measures around 28.9cm from head to toe. His fingerprints and footprints continue to form.

Your baby still gets his oxygen from the placenta. His lungs are not yet fully mature, but they are developing. Air sacs are forming in his lungs, blood vessels of  his lungs are developing, surfactants which will keep his air sacs open as he breathes are being produced, and your baby is already practicing breathing movements.

Your baby’s skin is still transparent and wrinkled and his organs and skin are visible. The transparency keeps reducing as he piles on more fat.

How are you doing?

Mood swings are pretty common because your emotions are running high, blame it on the raging pregnancy hormones. Hopefully, you have understanding people around you, who know that mood swings are part of the pregnancy package.

You have continued to gain weight and might have gained at least fifteen pounds by now. If you can, try not to exceed the recommended weight gain during pregnancy.

The amount of weight you should gain in pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI):

• If you were underweight, your weight gain range should be between 28-40lbs (12.7-18kg).
• If you had a normal weight, your weight gain range should be between 25-35lbs (11.3-16kg).
• If you were overweight, your weight gain range should be between 15-25lbs (7-11.3kg).
• If you were obese, your weight gain range should be between 11-20lbs (5-9kg).

You may have also noticed an increase in your vaginal discharge. Always do a check for abnormalities in colour or smell, as these could be a sign of an infection.

What should you do this week?

Knowing your pre-pregnancy BMI will help you keep track of your how much weight you should gain.

Eat healthy and stay hydrated. Strange as it sounds, drinking more water can actually help reduce swelling of your body.

Exercise and stay active. Try out pregnancy yoga, it will help relax your body and anxious mind.

To get quality sleep, try sleeping with supportive pillows.

Have you decided on a name for your little one? Thinking of a beautiful Nigerian name for your precious little one? Why don’t you visit our Nigerian baby names section, you will be spoilt for choice.

Finally, stay informed, healthy and inspired, by reading  Maternity Nest. Connect with other moms-to-be for moral support, by joining your Due Date Club in the The Nest.