23 weeks

Ok so... I suck. I never did do a 22 week belly pictures. On Monday, my week turning day, I had a bug that had me vomiting and very sick. It started Sunday night, and lasted until Tuesday morning. Tuesday, I then went to the doctor, and discovered that while being sick, I dropped 3 pounds. By week 21, my weight gain was 10 pounds, but now according to their charts, it's 7. It took me a bit during the last week to re eat again, but I am now eating properly, and unfortunately put that weight I lost right back on. This morning I weighed in at 172.4 pounds. So at 23 weeks, I have gained 11 pounds. My book says by now should be between 12-15. So I guess this is a good thing. I have gained a lot in my chest, and for some reason my shoulders have broadened. I look more even bodied than pregnant bodied. I basically just look like I got big again. My cloths still fit. My shirts rise up a bit in the tummy, and got tighter in the chest, but my pants fit the exact same.

I am still not "feeling baby" I have some sort of anterior uterus or placenta or something. Basically I am shaped funny on the inside and that is why it is taking longer to feel her. Every now and then I think I am feeling something, but it's so small, and for so short, that I can't really be sure. The doctor told me Tuesday that sometime during this week I should feel her. I am excited for it. I want to feel her when it is still nice little movement, and not lets bruise mommy movement. I'm scared it will just skip right over that.

For dinner tonight, I had steak, and a baked potato with broccoli. An easy meal for one. I am feeling very sleepy now though, so enjoy the pics.

Your baby has now developed the ability to swallow and their little pink taste buds are developed, although they won't really need them till they're born. What's more, you may have noticed that they're really starting to react to sounds from the outside world. Have you started to experience edema (pregnancy swelling due to increased fluid retention) especially in your lower extremities?

Week 23:Dancing baby alert!

Fetal development in pregnancy week 23:fetus in sixth month At this point you’ve pretty much adjusted to the fact you’ve got a moving little gymnast inside of you, but now they’re going to kick up the party a notch because they can hear and react to sounds from the outside world. Sounds from your alarm clock, a thunder roll, or that darned car honking at you across the intersection can actually jar their little ears enough to elicit a kick or violent bout of squirming. Of course this also means that their little ears are picking up the sounds of your voice and those near you. So go ahead, sing a lullaby to your little angel—if they start kicking, it’s likely they just want you to stop… or maybe it was a kick of approval? You decide. Your baby's tiny taste buds are still growing and their bones are continuing to ossify (harden), their tiny veins are visible through their translucent yet wrinkly skin. (Think of it this way: they’ve been swimming in the equivalent of a long hot bath for the past 23 weeks, so you can’t blame them for being a little prune-like.)

And how's mom doing? If no one warned you about the joys of the pregnancy-sleep-challenge, you’ve probably already started to discover just how difficult it can be to find adequately comfortable sleeping positions. The good news is: some people actually invented pillows specifically designed to give a pregnant woman if you want to further reduce the dreaded appearance of pregnancy “cankles” (calf-ankles) try to avoid sitting for long periods of time—and for the hundredth time: don’t forget to stay active!a better chance of sleeping through the night. There are a variety of different designs, but inevitably you’ll want some sort of belly support as well as a body pillow between your legs and under your belly to relieve a bit of the discomfort you're sure to be experiencing right now. If you choose to buy the (rather spendy) pregnancy pillows they've got on the market, make sure you keep the receipt as some women still have problems sleeping and fare better with their own unique pillow collection and set-up

As if there's not enough to keep track of already, are you remembering to drink lots of fluids? Plenty of good ol’ fashioned H20 (water) can help reduce swelling in your poor ankles and feet-- resulting from the pressure your now over-sized uterus is putting on your pelvic veins, thereby slowing fluid circulation to the lower half of your body. Also, if you want to further reduce the dreaded appearance of pregnancy “cankles” (calf-ankles) try to avoid sitting for long periods of time—and for the hundredth time: don’t forget to stay active! Keeping your fluid intake up is also good for your little resident swimmer as dehydration is frequently connected with premature birthing. Yep, it’s a lot of responsibility, but you can do it! You’re almost two-thirds of the way there already! Keep up the good work mom!

Your Pregnant Body This Week

Week 23 of Pregnancy: The Linea Nigra

That dark line that runs between your belly button and your pubic area - the linea nigra - is caused by the same pregnancy hormones that cause all the skin discolorations you might be noticing during pregnancy.

Yes, the baby you're expecting is cozily ensconced in your abdomen — yet, by now you've probably noticed that pregnancy affects you head to toe, and pretty much everywhere in between. At23 weeks pregnant, your head is fuzzy (this is your brain…this is your brain on progesterone), and your toes (well, your feet, at least) are growing. Stretch marksare blooming in vibrant shades of pink and purple on pretty much every available surface of skin and…wait! What's that funky dark line running down the center of your belly?

Believe it or not, it's called the "dark line" — or as your practitioner likes to call it,linea nigra. A common emblem of pregnancy (more noticeable in darker skinned women), the linea nigra, which runs between your belly button and your pubic area, is caused by the same pregnancy hormones that cause all the skin discolorationsyou might be noticing. Like the darker shade of your areolas. And the deeper tone of the freckles on your arms and legs.

Some women (again, more often darker-skinned ones) notice discoloration on the face too, especially in the area around the nose, forehead, cheeks, and eyes. It's called the mask of pregnancy (or chloasma) because it appears as a mask-like configuration on the face. Rest assured, you won't be playing masquerade for much longer. All these skin discolorations will fade within a few months after delivery. In the meantime, bring on the concealer (though not the bleaching creams, which won't work anyway).