you're 23 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 28.9 cm (11.4") · 500 g (17.6 oz)
At 23 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 28.9 cm and 500 g — Skin is still wrinkly because there's not much fat yet.
about the size of a…
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.
symptoms at 23 weeks
- Braxton Hicks tightenings
- Irregular, painless practice contractions may appear, often after activity or when you are dehydrated. Resting and drinking water usually settles them.
- Night-time leg cramps
- Sudden calf cramps are common from mid-pregnancy, possibly linked to circulation changes and mineral balance. Stretching your calves before bed helps prevent them.
- Itchy stretching skin
- Mild itching over the bump as skin stretches is normal and responds to moisturiser. Intense itching, especially on the palms and soles, should be reported to your midwife or doctor promptly, as it can signal a liver condition called cholestasis.
- Swollen ankles by evening
- Fluid gathers in the lower legs after a day upright. Putting your feet up regularly helps; sudden swelling of the face or hands needs a same-day call to your midwife or doctor.
- Clumsiness
- Loosened joints and a shifting centre of gravity make small stumbles more likely. Flat, grippy shoes and unhurried movements are your friends now.
- When to call
- Contact your midwife or doctor the same day for severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, intense itching, bleeding, or painful regular tightenings.
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.
your week 23 checklist
- Stretch your calves each evening and keep a water bottle by the bed for night cramps.
- Photograph your bump — a weekly photo series is a keepsake many parents wish they had started sooner.
- Check your iron-rich food intake; midwives often review iron levels around week 28.
- Confirm your whooping cough vaccine is done or booked.
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.
common questions at week 23
How big is the baby at 23 weeks?
At 23 weeks, the baby measures about 28.9 cm and weighs approximately 500 g (28.9 cm (11.4") · 500 g (17.6 oz)).
What is developing at 23 weeks?
Long, skinny, and wrinkly — but plumper by the week. Inner ear is fully formed; sense of balance starts. Key milestones this week include: Rapid weight gain begins; Inner ear fluid develops; Lungs make first surfactant; Sense of balance starts.
What symptoms are common at 23 weeks pregnant?
Bump is clearly visible. Many people feel Braxton-Hicks (practice contractions) for the first time — irregular and painless tightening.
What should I do at 23 weeks pregnant?
By next week you'll cross the 'viability threshold' — when a baby has some chance of surviving outside the womb with intensive medical support. 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.
What does the 24-week viability milestone actually mean?
From around 24 weeks, babies born prematurely have a meaningful chance of survival with intensive neonatal care, which is why many guidelines treat it as a legal and medical threshold. It does not mean birth at this stage is safe — every additional week in the womb significantly improves outcomes. For most parents it is simply a reassuring marker on the journey rather than anything requiring action.
Why do I get leg cramps at night during pregnancy?
Night cramps affect up to half of pregnant people, likely due to circulation changes, extra weight, and shifts in minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Stretching the calf before bed, staying hydrated, and gentle daily walking all reduce their frequency. If one leg becomes persistently painful, swollen, red, or warm, call your midwife or doctor promptly, as that pattern needs checking.
When is an itchy bump something to worry about?
Mild, all-over itching where skin is stretching is normal and eases with moisturiser. Itching that is intense, worse at night, or concentrated on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet can be a sign of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver condition that needs a blood test. If your itching fits that pattern, call your midwife or doctor rather than waiting for your next appointment.
helpful tools
- Belly Timeline
Document your bump week by week with photos.
- Kick Counter
Track fetal movement — kicks usually begin around week 18–22.
- Milestones
Week-by-week milestones tied to your due date.
Medically aligned with guidance from WHO, NHS and ACOG. How we write.