About You

Week 23 is the tenth week of the 2 ^nd trimester. Starting now, you may begin to experience Braxton Hicks contractions. These are the most prominent symptom of pregnancy experienced by majority of the women and is an intermittent, painless contraction that appears ever 10-20 minutes any time after the first trimester.” These are in fact the tightening of the belly which are often described by women as an uncomfortable and unpleasant experience.

You may feel clumsy now that your centre of gravity has shifted (and you may be starting the pregnancy waddle walk). Your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth and your belly button, once an 'innie', may now stick out. Don't worry, as it will revert to its pre-baby state soon after you give birth. If you have a belly button piercing, maybe it is time to think about removing it for now – as it will be sticking out and possibly starting to rub against clothing, or becoming too small for the stretched piercing.

About Baby

Baby now weighs about half a kilogram and measures about 29 centimetres long from head to heel. Hearing is well established and your distorted voice, along with your other bodily functions, can be heard. At this stage many mums-to-be start talking to their baby and playing classical music for it (Numerous studies seem to indicate that the unborn prefer classical music). Interestingly, certain loud noises often heard inside the womb won’t bother a baby when born. In addition to advances in baby's hearing, lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. Baby is swallowing but won't normally pass its first stool (called meconium) until after birth.

If your baby were to be born now, it would have a small chance of survival (about 16 per cent) with the right care. Every day in the womb makes a difference at this stage. If she was born at 24 weeks her chance of survival would rise to 44 per cent.

This week’s activities for the pregnancy to-do list

✔Reconsider your belly button piercing for now

✔Go shopping for more maternity clothes

✔Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors – you can’t be expected to stand up on ladders much longer to check

✔Keep track of your pregnancy health check-ups and tests. Create a file with all your progress and results, as these will be extremely useful for subsequent visits to midwives, doctors, specialists and hospital(s)

✔Play classical music to your baby

✔Write a letter to your baby. You and your child will treasure this gift for years to come. Go with your heart and follow your inspiration. If writing isn't your style, put together a collage or a memory box of pregnancy mementos, says Diane Sanford, a clinical psychologist whose focus is on helping women make the transition to motherhood

Note that this article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.

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