Pregnancy Week 23: Fetal Development, Pregnancy Swelling, Preeclampsia & Blogging Pregnancy Weekly
About Baby
Now a little over 1 pound and about 11 inches in length, Baby is about the size of an eggplant – and is ready for some serious growing over the next few weeks. While we would cringe at the thought of doubling our weight in four weeks, that’s exactly what Baby plans on doing. That weight gain will help his skin become less saggy and less transparent (cue those chubby cheeks). Tiny blood vessels are forming in Baby’s lungs as is a substance called surfactant. Surfactant helps keep the lungs from collapsing and sticking together and makes breathing easier. If that’s not all cool enough, your baby’s heartbeat can now be heard through a stethoscope. Th-thump.
Photo: Baby at 23 weeks of development
About Mom
Do your feet swell up so bad sometimes you can’t wear your shoes? Swelling, or edema, is annoying but common during pregnancy. The feet and ankles are where women most often notice it. Edema happens because your body is retaining more water and changes in the blood chemistry cause fluid to shift in tissues. The growing uterus puts pressure on the veins that carry blood from your lower limbs. That's why swollen extremities are most common in late pregnancy. This should disappear after you deliver the baby and your body gets rid of excess fluids. To help reduce swelling, try these tips:
- The best way to minimize swelling is rest on your left side.
- Try to put your feet up whenever possible. At work, you could keep a stool or pile of books under your desk for your feet.
- Avoid crossing your legs and ankles while sitting.
Here are more tips to help reduce pregnancy swelling.
Speaking of swelling, a condition that your doctor will keep an eye out for is preeclampsia. A high level of protein in the urine and leg, feet and hand swelling are indicators of the condition. Preeclampsia can also cause high blood pressure and damage organs, most commonly the liver, kidneys and nervous system. Talk to your doctor with any concerns.
Mommy Blogs and Vlogs
Is blogging about your pregnancy on your radar? Do it! Your blog could be public or private, and is easily mastered with user-friendly, web-based options like Wordpress, Wix or Weebly.
If online sharing or writing isn't your thing, try subscribing to some popular mommy blogs. They're honest, funny, informative and, above all else, they remind you that you're not alone, no matter what you're going through! Here are some ideas:
Give video bloggers (vloggers) a try, too. These three promise real talk and big fun:
Get more pregnancy blog suggestions and more information on starting your own blog!
Bump Talk
“This morning my son used a Clorox wipe as toilet paper. Just sit with that one for a minute.” – Kristen & Jen, #IMomSoHard
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