Week 23 of pregnancy
Week 23 sits in the middle stretch of pregnancy, the second trimester.
What's developing
The limbs are now in proportion, and the baby is practicing breathing and settling into sleeping and waking patterns. [1]
What you might notice
Rib pain and feeling breathless are common as your rib cage expands and the baby presses on your lungs. [1]
Everyone's pregnancy is different. If something worries you, call your midwife or doctor.
A tip for this week
Get to know your baby's rhythms, and talk to your midwife if the kicking slows down. [1]
Questions you could bring to your next appointment
- When is my mid-pregnancy scan?
- Will I be offered a glucose test?
- Is there anything I should change about exercise or work?
Questions
When will I feel the baby move?
The NHS says between 16 and 24 weeks. In a first pregnancy you might not feel movements until after 20 weeks.
What if I haven't felt the baby move by 24 weeks?
Tell your midwife or doctor. They'll check your baby's heartbeat and movements.
Is my baby exactly this size?
Probably not exactly. The length is the average the NHS gives for this week, and the weight is the middle value (50th percentile) of the WHO fetal growth charts. Your scan results are the ones that count.
Sources
- NHS: 23 weeks pregnant guide Checked October 30, 2026
- NHS: Your baby's movements Checked October 30, 2026
- WHO: The World Health Organization fetal growth charts (Kiserud et al., PLoS Medicine 2017), table 11: estimated fetal weight Checked October 30, 2026
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