Your baby

23 weeks pregnant movement will mean you can probably feel your babies wriggles and kicks. The eyes are now fully formed and tiny little teeth are starting to appear. Your baby looks like a newborn, but thinner, as baby fat hasn’t yet developed.

This week is really important for your baby’s senses. As the inner ear organs develop, balance and hearing will improve. You may find your baby responds to sounds now, so don’t feel silly talking to your bump.

You will find that your baby will be quite active but you may notice that their movement has become predictable as they explore their surrounding then rest.

You

During the second trimester your weight gain will become steadier and the size of your bump will also increase. If you’re not finding anything that fits – check out our top tips for maternity wear.

You could experience more vaginal discharge than usual. This is a normal symptom of mid-pregnancy if it becomes thicker or yellowish, tell your midwife or GP as you may have thrush.

If you’re still on an emotional rollercoaster, where you’re crying at the smallest thing, don’t worry – it’s a normal feeling. If you’re feeling particularly down or anxious, talking to your partner or a friend may help.

Make the most of your energy by getting some exercise, meeting up with friends (you might not feel up to socialising once the baby is born!) or begin to organise your baby equipment. You may find during the third trimester the fatigue creeps back.

What to think about

Having a think about nappies might be a good idea as there are various options to consider. Do you want to use disposable or reusable? Find out more about nappies and what’s best for you.

Some private ultrasound scans offer parents the choice to see their baby in 3D or 4D, they show a great amount of detail. But, they are expensive! You also have to keep in mind that if the baby’s not in the right position, you might not get the result that you wanted.

You should start to think about maternity leave and pay entitlement this week. If you haven’t already, it’s a good time to discuss this with your employer. Is your partner taking paternity leave? He should discuss this with his employer too.