Pregnancy & Baby 

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Pregnancy week 23

A week by week guide to what’s happening to you and your baby

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

After the 20th week, some women experience Braxton Hicks contractions, a tightening of the uterus, that typically lasts 30 seconds to two minutes. If this is your second child, you are more likely to experience Braxton Hicks contractions, which prepare your uterus for the real thing. For many, it can be difficult to distinguish Braxton Hicks contractions from real contractions, so be sure to notify your midwife or doctor if you experience more than four in a one-hour period, if they change in intensity and/or they are accompanied by vaginal secretions.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

Your baby is now 11 inches from head to toe or about 20cm crown to rump and hovering around the one pound (500g) mark. Your baby's lungs have begun to develop surfactant, a substance that will help his or her lungs to expand after birth. The fingernails are now completely formed.

HEALTHY EATING

In the third trimester, your baby begins to collect stores of iron. Your body also demands iron because of the huge increase in blood volume that occurs during pregnancy. Eating food that is rich in vitamin C with those that are rich in iron can double the amount of iron absorbed. So, a bowl of prunes and a glass of orange juice for breakfast tomorrow.

FACT OF THE WEEK

Considering a homebirth? For women who have uncomplicated pregnancies a homebirth may be a safe option. Talk to your midwife and doctor to fully understand the implications of a homebirth. These conditions may rule out a homebirth:

• Gestational diabetes
• Placenta previa
• Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia
• Certain complications in previous pregnancies
• Hypertension
• Multiple pregnancies
• Premature labour (before 36 weeks)
• Abnormal presentation, such as breech positioning
• Active Herpes Simplex virus

Find out what to expect in week 24 of your pregnancy.

For a list of all the pregnancy week by week articles click here

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