Pregnancy Guide for Couples: Week 23
Today, we’ll briefly discuss heat rash, skin tags, pregnancy cravings, and other common pregnancy symptoms. Your baby is growing like crazy and may prove that to you with kicks and jabs.
What’s Going on with Baby
At Week 23, your baby is the size of a vinyl record!
At week 23, your baby is experiencing rapid eye movements, hiccups, and more. Ridges are forming in your little one’s hands and soles of the feet. These ridges will eventually become the foundation for fingerprints and footprints; how amazing is that? More ways your baby is growing include:
As your baby’s hearing develops, they will start to not only hear Mom’s voice but also show a clear preference for Mom’s voice over others.
Soft flutters of movement may now be turning into stiff jabs and kicks. Ouch!
Your baby is starting to have a little personality as they develop movement patterns in the womb.
What’s Going on with Mom
You might be experiencing heat rash (prickly heat or miliaria) during your pregnancy. It is common and happens when sweat gets trapped in sweat ducts, causing redness, itching, and discomfort. Even if you’re not pregnant in warm months, your body’s temperature can be higher than usual due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow. You may also be experiencing:
Skin tags. Also caused by hormonal changes and increased blood flow.
Vision changes. You may experience more blurry vision or nearsightedness during pregnancy. This is normal if you have no severe blurry or double vision.
Pregnancy cravings. Pregnancy cravings can be fierce, including sweets, salty snacks, and spicy or sour foods. Fulfilling these urges is okay if you don’t get out of control with it.
What’s going on with Partner
Not sure what to do? Consider reading reliable books about birth and newborns to prepare yourself for the inevitable. These will help you feel more confident about what to expect. Here are some book ideas for Dad:
The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be - Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash
The Guy's Guide to Being a Birth Partner - Andrew Shaw
You're Going to Be a Dad - Daddilife Books
The Birth Partner - Penny Simkin
If these books aren’t your cup of tea, plenty more are available to read!
RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
Don't forget to download your free copy of our Baby Registry Checklist for Couples!
