Getting stronger inside 💛

Every week your baby gets a little stronger and a little more practised. Week 23 is a good moment to enjoy the feeling of your growing bump and the quiet work going on inside.

📌 Week 23 at a glance

• Trimester: Second
• Baby's size: about the size of a large mango (around 28.9 cm head to heel)
• Still to come: roughly 17 weeks (a typical pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks)

🌱 Your little one this week

At 23 weeks, your baby weighs around 500 g and measures about 28.9 cm from head to heel, roughly the size of a large mango. Your baby's limbs are now in proportion. The skin still looks a little wrinkled, and body fat is slowly building up underneath it. The lungs are developing, and your baby is practising breathing and getting into patterns of sleeping and waking.

Your baby can hear sounds from outside the womb, and may respond to loud noises with a little movement. Over the next few weeks, kicks and rolls will get stronger, and you may even see your tummy move. Getting to know your baby's usual rhythm is a lovely habit, and if the kicking ever slows down, please talk to your midwife or doctor.

🌷 And how about you, Mum?

As your rib cage expands to make room for your bump, some mums notice rib pain, and a bit more breathlessness as the baby presses on the lungs. Putting your feet up and relaxing usually helps. Your breasts may also start leaking colostrum, an early type of milk.

As the womb grows and pushes upwards, some mums notice heartburn or indigestion. Leg cramps, especially at night, are also common, as are swollen ankles at the end of a long day. Your skin may also be more sensitive to the sun, even on a cloudy day, so shade, covering up and a high-factor sunscreen are good friends outdoors.

Your body is working hard, so it's normal to feel more tired some days than others. If you're feeling anxious or low, please talk to your doctor or midwife, or someone you trust. You don't have to keep it to yourself.

🍽️ Food for thought: colourful antioxidant foods

Fruit and vegetables come packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre, and their bright colours often reflect protective plant compounds. Eating a variety of colours is an easy way to enjoy a wide range of nutrients.

Easy ways to add colour include:

• Orange: papaya, carrot, pumpkin (labu)
• Green: kai lan, spinach (bayam), broccoli
• Red and purple: tomato, dragon fruit, berries
• Yellow: pineapple, banana, sweetcorn

You don't need to be perfect. A few colours on the plate is a lovely goal. If you drink a lot of tea or coffee, you could also try swapping some cups for smoothies or fruit teas, as caffeine is best kept modest in pregnancy. Your doctor, midwife or dietitian can answer questions about what suits you.

✨ Little things that may feel nice

• Many mums find that smaller, slower meals feel gentler when heartburn visits
• Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees can feel comfortable
• A gentle calf stretch before bed can feel good for cramps
• Putting your feet up for a few minutes in the afternoon can ease tired ankles

🩺 Coming up

Routine antenatal visits continue. Your doctor or midwife may talk with you about what's coming over the next few weeks, such as routine tests, and it's a good time to ask about antenatal classes if you haven't yet.

👨‍👩‍👧 Partner's corner

If mum is dealing with heartburn or leg cramps, a gentle calf massage, a pillow arrangement or a calm cup of water can make a big difference. Small acts of care really do add up.

❓ Quick questions

Why do I get heartburn?
Pregnancy hormones relax the muscles of the digestive tract, and the growing womb adds pressure. It's very common and often eases after the baby is born.

Is it normal to feel more tired some days?
Yes. Your body is doing a lot, and energy often comes and goes.

💛 A little moment for the two of you

Your baby is stronger today than yesterday, and so are you.

Growing stronger together. 🦕

Sources & further reading

NHS — 23 weeks pregnant
NHS Week 23 pregnancy guide

Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) — Antenatal care
KKM maternal health and antenatal care

FirstDino shares general pregnancy information for education and comfort. It is not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Please speak with your doctor or midwife about your own health and care.