There is
some good news this week. If a baby is born at 23 weeks gestation, doctors have
to do something to help sustain life. So, if you have your baby at pregnancy 23
weeks, doctors will have to do something to help keep your baby alive. However,
the bad news is that only around 5% of babies survive at 23 weeks pregnant. However,
let’s move onto the development of your little one.
Your Baby’s Development at Pregnancy Week
23
Your baby
will be able to decide that he or she wants to suck the thumb. Before now, it
happened by accident but the muscles and nerves are much more developed now.
At 23 weeks
pregnant, your little one is still covered in languo hair to help regulate the
temperature. This sheds and regrows on a constant basis and will finally shed
as your baby is ready to be born. Many premature babies (those born before 37
weeks) will likely still have this hair as the fat still needs to be gained.
Changes in You at 23 Weeks Pregnant
You may find
that you feel much more clumsy at pregnancy 23 weeks. Your centre of gravity
has changed dramatically over the course of the last few weeks to accommodate
for your growing baby. Be careful when you stand and if you do feel
lightheaded, support yourself in some way.
You may find
that you become very emotional at this time. There will be a lot of questions
and worries jumping through your head. You may be worried about an early
arrival or the impending motherhood. Take each day as it comes and always talk
to someone close to you about your fears. Leaving them bottled up will just
lead to stress, which is bad for the baby.
If you are
worried about your baby being born early and the survival rate, the doctors
will do everything they can to help avoid the delivery. The good news is that
by waiting an extra week, the chance of survival raises to 50%. The longer your
baby is in the womb, the more chance he or she has of surviving without the need
of medical care.
Symptoms at Pregnancy Week 23
At 23 weeks
pregnant, it is likely that you will have the same symptoms as the last few
weeks. Your Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently. Keep an
eye on these from now. They should be irregular and never increase in strength.
If you start feeling regular contractions that get worse over time, you will
need to contact your midwife.
Comments
Post a Comment