Week 23 Pregnancy Symptoms Stronger Kicks Hearing Development I’m Becoming a Mom Moments

Sweet mama, here we are at week 23, and can I just say something? If you've been having those moments where you think "Oh my gosh, I'm actually going to be someone's MOM" you're not alone. Like, not even a little bit.

This is right around when pregnancy stops feeling like something happening TO you and starts feeling like something you're actively living through. It's beautiful and terrifying and completely normal to feel a little lost in it all.

Your Baby This Week: A Little Person Taking Shape

How Big Is Baby Now?

Your little one is about the size of a large mango now roughly 11.4 inches long and weighing in at about 1.1 pounds. I know that might still feel abstract (because honestly, when you can't see them, it's hard to picture), but they're getting more real every day.

What's Happening Inside

Here's what might make you feel more connected to this whole incredible process:

Your baby can hear you now really hear you. Not just vibrations, but actual sounds. Your voice, your partner's voice, music, even the dog barking. Some mamas find this overwhelming ("Wait, they can hear me complaining about my back pain?"), but mostly it's pretty amazing. You're literally their first soundtrack.

Those little lungs are practicing. Your baby is doing practice breathing movements, getting ready for that first breath outside. It's like they're rehearsing for their big debut which, let's be honest, still feels both forever away and way too soon.

Their sense of movement is developing. All those flips and kicks you're feeling? Your baby is learning about their own body and the space they're in. It's their way of saying "Hey, I'm in here!"

Your Body: The Changes That Nobody Really Prepares You For

That Glucose Test Is Coming

Okay, let's talk about the glucose screening test that's probably coming up between weeks 24-28. If you're anything like most mamas, you've probably heard horror stories about that orange drink and are already feeling anxious about it.

First, breathe. The test itself isn't that bad it's basically like drinking a really sweet orange soda on an empty stomach. The waiting and worrying beforehand is honestly worse than the actual experience.

Here's what helps:

Ask your doctor exactly what to expect

Bring something to do during the waiting period (book, phone, whatever keeps you calm)

Remember that most women pass this test just fine

And if you don't pass the first time? That doesn't automatically mean you have gestational diabetes. It just means you need a longer test to get more information.

Your Body Is Working So Hard

By now, you might be noticing:

You're getting winded easier (climbing stairs feels like running a marathon)

Your back aches in new and creative ways

You might be feeling those Braxton Hicks contractions more often

Sleep is becoming more of a challenge

Can we just acknowledge that this is HARD? Like, really hard. Your body is doing something absolutely incredible, and it's okay to feel tired, uncomfortable, and sometimes frustrated with the whole process.

Those "Am I Normal?" Worries

Around this time, lots of mamas start spiraling a bit about whether everything they're experiencing is normal. The short answer? Most of it probably is. But here are some things you might be worried about:

"I can't feel the baby move every day yet." This is still normal at 23 weeks. Some days they're more active, some days they're sleepier. As long as you're feeling some movement, you're likely fine.

"I don't feel pregnant enough/I feel too pregnant." Both of these feelings can happen in the same day, sometimes in the same hour. Your emotions and physical experience are going to be all over the map.

"I'm not bonding with the baby yet." This one makes so many mamas feel guilty, but it's more common than you think. Some women bond immediately, others don't really feel that connection until they meet their baby. Both are completely normal.

This Week's Gentle Reminders

Your Sleep Matters (Even Though It's Getting Harder)

I know everyone keeps telling you to "sleep while you can" (thanks, Captain Obvious), but let's be practical about this. Getting comfortable is becoming a real challenge.

What might help:

A pregnancy pillow between your knees

Propping yourself up with extra pillows if heartburn is an issue

Going to bed when you're actually tired, not when you think you "should"

Accepting that pregnancy sleep is different, and that's okay

It's Okay to Not Love Every Moment

Here's something nobody talks about enough: you don't have to be grateful and glowing every single day. Some days pregnancy feels magical, and some days it feels like your body has been taken over by aliens.

Both feelings are valid. Both are normal. And neither makes you a bad mom.

Start Thinking About Your Birth Preferences (But Don't Stress)

Around this time, you might start thinking more seriously about labor and delivery. If that feels overwhelming, start small:

Do you want to labor at home as long as possible, or head to the hospital early?

Are there specific things that would help you feel calmer during labor?

Who do you want with you?

Remember, these are preferences, not requirements. Birth rarely goes exactly according to plan, and that's okay too.

Your Changing Relationship

If you have a partner, this might be a good time to check in with each other. Pregnancy affects both of you, and it's normal for relationships to feel a little different right now.

Maybe you're both excited but also scared. Maybe one of you is more ready than the other. Maybe you're both wondering what the heck you've gotten yourselves into.

All of that? Normal. Really, really normal.

When to Call Your Doctor

You know your body better than anyone, but here are some signs that warrant a call:

Severe or persistent abdominal pain

Heavy bleeding

Signs of infection (fever, chills, burning during urination)

Severe headaches that don't go away

Sudden swelling in your face or hands

And honestly? If something just feels "off" to you, trust that instinct. You know your body, and your concerns are valid.

Mama, you're in the thick of it now. The second trimester, the phase where you're supposed to be "glowing" and feeling amazing. And maybe you are! But if you're not if you're tired, uncomfortable, worried, or just feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of what's happening that's okay too.

Growing a human being is not a small thing. It's not supposed to be easy or comfortable or stress-free all the time. You're allowed to have hard days, worried moments, and times when you wonder if you're cut out for this.

Here's what I know: you are. Even when it doesn't feel like it, even when you're scared, even when everything feels uncertain. You're already doing the hard work of growing your baby, and that's pretty incredible.

Take it one day at a time. You've got this, even when it doesn't feel like you do.

Looking for more support during your pregnancy journey? We're here for all the moments when you need someone who understands exactly what you're going through.