Body changes and new sensations for women
At the end of the second trimester, a woman may encounter such an unpleasant phenomenon as symphysitis during pregnancy.
Its symptoms may be the following: severe swelling in the symphysis (pubis), pain in the groin, pubic bone, tailbone, sharp pain when changing the position of the body (it becomes simply impossible to raise a straight leg in a lying position). The cause of symphysitis is excessive softening of the symphysis pubis. The softening of bone tissue itself is a completely natural process during the period of waiting for a baby. How else will the child be born? After all, he will need to go through the birth canal, while pushing the pelvic bones apart without harm to himself and the mother. What to do if your pubis hurts? Keep your weight under control - obesity greatly increases the load on the pubic bone. If you experience pain when lying down, relieve pressure on your hip joint by placing pillows under your buttocks and legs. Include foods containing calcium in your diet (one of the causes of symphysitis is a lack of this trace element in the body). Wear a bandage, do physical therapy for pregnant women, and be sure to tell your doctor about your discomfort.
Weight
By the 23rd week of pregnancy, most women have gained between 5.5 and 7.5 kg since registration. In some cases, gaining less or more weight is possible. If there is excessive gain during this period, in the absence of changes in diet, additional studies may be prescribed. Quite often, extra pounds are excess fluid that accumulates as a result of insufficient kidney function. This condition requires monitoring by a gynecologist, because it may indicate a high likelihood of late toxicosis.
It is recommended to gain no more than 500 g per week.
Mom's belly
By this time, the uterus is at a height of 24 cm above the pubic bone (approximately at the level of the navel). She continues to grow and build muscle, which is reflected in the size of her belly, which can no longer be hidden by either a light dress or a loose-fitting blouse. At 23 weeks, the mother feels her baby more and more clearly. Sometimes the baby's movements cause her pain. In this case, doctors advise changing body position. If too active, painful fetal kicks do not go away for a long time, you should consult a doctor - this may indicate that the baby does not have enough oxygen. This phenomenon is called “hypoxia during pregnancy.”
Changes in the body of the expectant mother
Pregnancy is a condition that is difficult to describe briefly. Women can usually remember both their joyful emotions and some difficulties that arise for every pregnant woman. However, despite the problems, mothers still consider this period pleasant, since it gradually led to the birth of the desired child. To leave a memory of their pregnancy, women take photographs, capturing the changes that occur to them. If you are documenting how your belly is growing, don't forget to take a photo of your belly at 23 weeks of pregnancy.
Feelings at 23 weeks of pregnancy
With each week, the baby's movements become more and more noticeable. Mom enjoys them until the baby starts pushing hard. So far he is rolling over, looking for a comfortable place and even playing with the umbilical cord. In the evening, his activity may increase, and this prevents mom from falling asleep. To calm him down, she may sing to him and rub his tummy.
During pregnancy, changes in the arrangement of organs occur in a woman’s body due to the enlargement of the uterus (it has already risen 4 cm above the navel). And one of the manifestations of such changes is heartburn. The contents of the stomach are thrown up through the esophagus into the pharynx and cause a burning sensation. For some, heartburn manifests itself more strongly, for others - less, but every woman finds her own remedy for this condition. These can be a variety of medicines, as well as some products: milk, pumpkin seeds or any other product that makes you feel better. You should not use soda, since heartburn during pregnancy does not occur due to increased acidity of the stomach, but due to pressure from the uterus on the overlying organs.
The uterus also puts pressure on the bladder. Because of this, the urge to urinate occurs more often. And here a dilemma arises: “Maybe I should drink less?” Not worth it. A woman's body needs enough fluid. But this question partly arises because of such a phenomenon as edema. Believe me, they do not appear because a woman drinks a lot. Their appearance can be corrected by reducing the amount of salt in the diet, and in some cases doctors recommend drinking fruit drinks and teas with lingonberries as a diuretic.
Changes in a woman’s body lead to the fact that from time to time she may experience discomfort and even pain. Due to a shift in the center of gravity, back pain appears. As weight increases, the load on your legs also increases, which can also cause pain. In the second trimester, especially towards the end, discomfort in the abdomen is not dangerous. However, in any case, it is worth monitoring the condition in order to contact a gynecologist in a timely manner. What can cause stomach pain during this period? Due to laughter, coughing, sudden movements, the muscles of the uterus may tense for a short time, and this may be a little painful.
Belly at 23 weeks pregnant
Every week the tummy grows, which means the skin stretches. This happens quite quickly, so many women during this period note that their stomach itches. In order to provide your skin with elasticity, use cosmetics specially designed for this, which will be a good prevention of stretch marks.
We remind you that the changes in the abdomen at 23 weeks of pregnancy can remain in your memory for a long time. And if you haven’t taken photos yet, you can do it today.
A pregnant woman's body actively produces melanin, which can be identified by a darkened stripe on the abdomen that goes down from the navel. Nipple halos also darken, and in some women, skin pigmentation on both the face and body may change. Usually after childbirth these phenomena disappear.
At the end of the second trimester, training contractions (Braxton-Hicks contractions) begin. In this way, the uterus prepares for future births. They differ from ordinary contractions in that they are periodic in nature, can be one-time, while the time interval between true contractions is reduced, and the contractions themselves become longer and longer. To determine the nature of the contractions, a woman should note the time during which they last.
False contractions can be uncomfortable. However, there are symptoms that require an examination by a gynecologist. When should you urgently consult a doctor?
- The time interval between contractions becomes smaller each time, and the contractions themselves become long-lasting and painful.
- Abdominal pain is accompanied by bloody discharge.
- The woman has fever and chills, and her stomach hurts.
- The combination of pain with fainting or vomiting should also alert a pregnant woman.
Nutrition at 23 weeks of pregnancy
A woman’s nutrition practically does not depend on the duration of pregnancy. It is important that it is complete and varied, maintaining a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Vegetables, fruits and herbs must be present on a pregnant woman’s menu. It is also worth paying attention to foods containing calcium and iron, since the growing fetus especially needs these substances and “takes” them from the mother. A lack of calcium, for example, can affect the condition of teeth.
It is worth excluding from your diet foods that contain a lot of chemicals, as well as smoked and fried foods. To prevent swelling, you can reduce the amount of salt. To control weight gain, avoid eating sweet baked goods.
It is believed that already during intrauterine development the baby develops taste preferences and an allergic reaction to certain foods. Therefore, a woman should eat healthy and varied foods, avoiding active consumption of allergenic foods (citrus fruits, nuts).
And, of course, you need to provide the body with enough fluid. In addition to water, a woman can drink tea, compotes and fruit drinks. But with herbal teas and coffee you need to be careful so that they do not affect the baby in any way.
Nutrition at 23 weeks of pregnancy
Probably, by the 6th month you are already accustomed to quality products (you get used to good things quickly, and the situation requires that nutrition during pregnancy be balanced and healthy), enriched your diet with cottage cheese, milk, vegetables, fruits and gave up junk food (for example, fast food). It's high time to limit your salt intake - it contributes to sodium retention in the body, and therefore causes edema. But you can’t completely give up salt either (this can reduce your appetite and even disrupt some biochemical processes in the body) - just give your preference to iodized salt or sea salt.
Analyzes
Ultrasound is not the only examination that a pregnant woman is sent for. Throughout the entire period, she has to undergo many different biochemical tests, in particular a general blood and urine test, a test for sugar, blood clotting, hCG and determination of progesterone levels, and others.
Indicators of various markers can warn the gynecologist in advance about the development of undesirable processes in the body of his ward (in particular, exacerbation of genitourinary infections), as well as about possible complications in the development of the fetus. Causes for concern are the presence of protein and salts in the urine of a pregnant woman, elevated sugar levels, low or high levels of hCG, and a lack of progesterone in the woman’s blood.
Glucose testing is of particular importance now because it can indicate an increased risk of excess weight gain in the fetus. If the glucose level is too high, the expectant mother will be put on a diet and, possibly, will be prescribed specific treatment.
The hemoglobin level does not lose its relevance throughout pregnancy. Regular testing allows you to prevent and treat anemia, which is very often observed in pregnant women and is an unfavorable sign.
Remember that a single test cannot be the basis for making any diagnosis. Usually, pathology is indicated by poor results of both urine and blood tests at the same time. But in any case, it is necessary to take a second laboratory test to verify the results. Therefore, never make premature conclusions.
Sex at 23 weeks pregnant
It is known that many men find pregnant women very erotic. And for good reason: during an “interesting situation,” especially in the second trimester, a woman’s need for sex against the background of hormonal changes increases significantly. There is no need to be afraid of your increased desire and refuse intimacy. Yes, an orgasm can provoke a slight contraction of the muscles of the uterus (if there are medical contraindications, physical expressions of love should still be abandoned), but, on the other hand, it does not allow the reproductive organ to completely relax and thus prepares it for the process of “pushing out” the fetus from the body of a pregnant woman.
Lifestyle
Many researchers believe that a child is not born a “blank slate.” Of course, he is not yet a person, but he is already a person. And the mother, starting from the 23rd week of pregnancy, and maybe earlier, should establish “feedback” with him. It is known that the fetus reacts to warmth, gentle touches (stroke your tummy more often), he hears his mother’s voice (you can sing him a lullaby), sounds from the outside (play CDs with beautiful melodies for the child). At this moment, the baby’s facial expressions express pleasure, a smile appears on his face, he feels that he is loved and is no longer afraid to be born and become part of a new world for him.
What's happening
By 23 weeks of pregnancy, the baby’s liver and thymus gland begin to actively work. And the bone marrow and spleen are involved in the process of formation of red blood cells.
The accumulation of amniotic fluid is completed. Now, as your baby develops, he will begin to experience some lack of space, and you will feel his movements more strongly. By the way, at 22–23 weeks of pregnancy you will begin to notice that the baby has developed its own daily routine, and you will be able to track the phases of sleep and wakefulness.
Several times a day, the baby exercises his lungs, taking in and expelling amniotic fluid. And the mother needs to remember that the formation of respiratory centers in the fetal brain directly depends on how and what she breathes. Therefore, in order to prevent fetal intoxication during the 22nd – 23rd week of pregnancy, you need to avoid inhaling harmful vapors of solvents, paints, varnishes and, of course, spend more time in the fresh air.
Beauty and accessories
Are you afraid that pregnancy may take away your beauty? This is wrong! Yes, the expectant mother’s body changes while she’s expecting a baby, but if you lead a healthy lifestyle and eat right, the hormonal storm will only improve your appearance. Many expectant mothers note that their hair has become thicker, their cheeks are flushed, their breasts have enlarged, and their libido has increased. So, the 20th century sex symbol Sophia Loren claims that during pregnancy she felt much more attractive than at any other time. In her book “Women and Beauty,” the great Italian writes: “In my opinion, nothing makes a woman more beautiful than pregnancy, when she takes on a regal, independent appearance.” And he gives advice to women: “It’s difficult to do a pedicure because of your belly, put it off for the future. But pay special attention to your fingernails: file them, clean them, rub cream into the holes. I painted my nails different colors that I don't usually use. It entertained me and lifted my spirits.”
It is possible and it is not possible
At the 23rd week, a woman is recommended to follow some rules that will allow her to avoid many complications and problems. Some rules are set by the gynecologist, assessing the general condition of the woman’s body and the characteristics of the course of pregnancy. We recommend that you carefully consider your doctor’s advice and follow them strictly. Some complications can be predicted by symptoms and tests, even if the woman feels fine.
In addition to the gynecologist's prescriptions, we can advise:
- avoid harmful substances (alcohol, nicotine, drugs, heavy chemicals);
- carefully observe hygiene;
- try to keep the house clean by getting rid of dust every day;
- when doing housework or physical activity, rest every hour;
- well ventilate the room in which the pregnant woman is located;
- walk outside every day for at least 40 minutes;
- do not forget about practicing permitted sports;
- during epidemics, avoid places with large crowds of people;
- do not self-medicate;
- treat traditional recipes and treatment methods with caution;
- stay calm, avoid stress.
Sex
Intimate life in the 23rd week of pregnancy is not prohibited unless there is direct instruction from the gynecologist. If the expectant mother feels well and desires sexual relations, then they will be beneficial. It is advisable to avoid poses with direct pressure on the abdomen that require strong physical exertion from the woman.
