§second trimester · week 23 of 40
you're 23 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 28.9 cm (11.4") · 500 g (17.6 oz)
about the size of a eggplant.
Skin is still wrinkly because there's not much fat yet. But your baby is gaining weight quickly now.
this week's highlights
- Rapid weight gain begins
- Inner ear fluid develops
- Lungs make first surfactant
- Sense of balance starts
how your baby looks
Long, skinny, and wrinkly — but plumper by the week. Skin is reddish and translucent, with prominent veins, plus a coat of lanugo.
body in focus
- head
- Inner ear is fully formed; sense of balance starts.
- body
- Lungs begin making surfactant — a substance needed for breathing.
- hands
- Tiny hands can pat the face and chest.
- feet
- Movements feel like kicks against ribs and bladder.
what's happening in your body
Bump is clearly visible. Many people feel Braxton-Hicks (practice contractions) for the first time — irregular and painless tightening.
gentle tips
- Stay hydrated to reduce Braxton-Hicks frequency.
- Stand and walk if Braxton-Hicks feel uncomfortable.
- Sleep on your left side with a pillow between knees.
- Get prenatal massages if available — they help with back pain.
- Discuss any swelling, headaches, or vision changes immediately.
what to expect next
By next week you'll cross the 'viability threshold' — when a baby has some chance of surviving outside the womb with intensive medical support.