GUIDE
Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn with defined facial features and a developing sense of touch.
At the size of a coconut, your baby's lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are more defined, and they are actively exploring by touch.
Be prepared from day one
Your baby is about the size of a coconut — approximately 11 inches long and weighing around 15 ounces (just under a pound). This week, your baby is starting to look much more like the newborn you will meet in a few months.
Facial features are becoming more defined. Your baby's lips are more distinct, eyebrows are visible, and the eyelids — though still fused — are fully formed. Tiny tooth buds are developing beneath the gumline, even though teeth will not emerge until months after birth.
The sense of touch is developing rapidly. Your baby is actively exploring their environment — grabbing the umbilical cord, touching their face, and pressing against the uterine wall. When you feel a kick or push from the outside, your baby may be feeling the pressure of the wall pushing back. This tactile feedback loop is an important part of sensory development.
The skin is still wrinkled and somewhat translucent, covered by vernix caseosa and lanugo. As fat continues to accumulate over the coming weeks, the skin will gradually fill out. The organs continue to mature, with the pancreas developing steadily — it will eventually produce the hormones needed to regulate blood sugar.
Since last week, the bone marrow is increasingly active in blood cell production, and movements are stronger and more coordinated.
Your belly is growing noticeably each week now, and you may be able to see your baby's kicks from the outside — a surreal and often amusing experience. Partners and siblings can sometimes feel the movement by placing a hand on your belly during active periods.
Braxton Hicks contractions may be more frequent. These practice contractions can feel like a tightening or hardening of your entire abdomen that lasts 30-60 seconds. They are your body's way of preparing the uterine muscles for labor. Dehydration is a common trigger, so keep drinking water throughout the day.
The linea nigra — a dark vertical line running from your belly button down to your pubic bone (and sometimes up toward your ribs) — may be more visible now. It is caused by increased melanin production from pregnancy hormones and is completely normal. It usually fades within a few months after delivery.
Hemorrhoids are an uncomfortable but common complaint during the second half of pregnancy. The combination of increased blood volume, constipation, and the pressure of your growing uterus on the veins in your pelvis can cause them to develop. Fiber, fluids, and avoiding prolonged sitting can help prevent them from getting worse. Heartburn may also be intensifying as your uterus continues to push upward against your stomach.
Every pregnancy is different. Some symptoms will be new this week while others may have been with you for a while.
This week is about comfort management and starting to prepare for the third trimester ahead.
Braxton Hicks are irregular, painless, and stop when you change positions or drink water. Real contractions come at regular intervals, get closer together, intensify over time, and do not stop with rest. Knowing the difference now will help you feel confident later.
Increased blood volume and pelvic pressure make hemorrhoids common in pregnancy. Eat fiber-rich foods, drink plenty of water, avoid straining, and try not to sit or stand for prolonged periods. Witch hazel pads and sitz baths can provide relief.
It is a good time to sign up for a childbirth class — in person or online. Most classes recommend starting around 28-32 weeks, so registering now ensures you get a spot. Topics typically cover labor stages, pain management, breathing techniques, and what to expect in the hospital.
Steady weight gain is expected — about 1 pound per week during the second and third trimesters for women at a normal pre-pregnancy BMI. Your provider monitors this at each visit, but it helps to be aware of your own pattern.
When in doubt, call your provider. Any signs of preterm labor before 37 weeks should be evaluated promptly.
At 23 weeks, your baby will be the size of a grapefruit and will be able to hear external sounds clearly. The lungs are developing a crucial substance called surfactant, and you are approaching the viability milestone.
If back pain or round ligament pain are bothering you, addressing them now will set you up better for the third trimester.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your pregnancy.
