23 Weeks!

23 weeks pregnant!

Baby this is the best week ever! Not only is it Christmas week, but you are becoming viable. I know that sounds negative and I'm sorry for worrying but this week has been what I've been waiting for! If something were to happen modern medicine could help save you, and that means the world to me. I love you so much and have come so attached to you I just couldn't bear to be without you.

How far along? 23 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Up 5lbs

Baby's Fruit Size: Grapefruit

Sleep: Sleeping too much! I feel tired if I can't sleep in, oh well better get my sleep in now while I can

Best moment this week: Daddy getting to feel you kick. He was happy to finally feel you move. I think it's starting to feel even more real for us.

Miss Anything? Not right now.

Movement: Yes, not a ton but pretty regular movement, which is exciting!

Food cravings/aversions: Celery & Cucumbers have been my go to snack. I also am letting myself eat too many sweets, must be the season!

Symptoms: Kicks! Heartburn, and fatigue.

Signs of Labor: Thankfully none 

Looking forward to: Christmas, and celebrating with family!

Development:

At 23 weeks, baby's getting bigger -- she's about 10.5 to 11.8 inches long and weighs 12.7 to 20.8 ounces. Plus, she's getting cuter! Ears start to develop and her face and eyes are forming. She's more aware, too, and is listening to your voice and your heartbeat, as well as to loud sounds, such as cars honking and dogs barking.You may also feel your baby move when she hears something familiar.

Even if your bowels aren't quite regular these days, your baby may be settling into a regular routine—more active at night, for instance, while quieter during the day. All of her internal systems are in place, even if they do need more time to mature. Her vestibular system—the area in the brain responsible for sensing movement—is one of the first parts of the brain to mature and it is already actively sensing all your movements. At the same time, Baby's hearing continues to develop and sharpen. Studies show that infants who are exposed to certain loud noises in the womb (like dog barks or the dryer beeping) are less likely to be startled by them once they are born.
This week marks an important milestone—if Baby were born this week, she would have a chance at survival. According to the March of Dimes, of all babies born at 23 weeks, 25 to 35 percent survive. This number goes up considerably when you add just a couple weeks: roughly 50 to 70 percent of all babies born at 24 to 25 weeks survive. And 90 percent of all babies born at 26 to 27 weeks survive.