23 weeks pregnant
You may see your bump move.
In short
At 23 weeks your baby is about the size of a mango, around 30.6 cm long and 565 g. You may see your bump move.
- Second trimester, week 23 of about 40.
- Enjoy watching your bump move. If your baby's usual pattern slows down, changes or stops, contact your maternity unit straight away.
Your baby's arms and legs are now in proportion with the rest of the body. Over the coming weeks, you may see your tummy move when your baby kicks.
How big is my baby at 23 weeks?
At 23 weeks your baby is about the size of a mango, around 30.6 cm long and 565 g. Before about 14 weeks babies are measured from crown to rump; after that the figure is head to heel. These are typical figures from fetal growth charts. Your own baby may be bigger or smaller, and your scans are what count.
What is my baby doing at 23 weeks?
- Your baby's arms and legs are now in proportion with the rest of the body.
- Over the coming weeks, you may see your tummy move when your baby kicks.
- The lungs keep practising breathing movements to get ready for life outside.
What changes for me at 23 weeks pregnant?
- Your breasts may start to leak a little colostrum, the first milk.
- As your ribs make room for your bump, you may get some rib ache and feel more breathless.
- Swelling in your feet and ankles is common, especially later in the day or in warm weather.
What is a good tip for this week?
Enjoy watching your bump move. If your baby's usual pattern slows down, changes or stops, contact your maternity unit straight away.
What can a partner do this week?
Help them get their feet up in the evenings, which can ease swollen ankles.
What should I know in Ireland at 23 weeks?
Nothing Ireland-specific falls in this week. Your care continues under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme with your GP and maternity unit. See the full Irish pregnancy timeline for what is coming up.
When to get help: Get help straight away from your midwife, GP or maternity unit if you have chest pain or feel short of breath while resting. HSE: when to get help.
Want these updates on your phone? The Lullagram app has a free pregnancy section with this week-by-week guide, Irish dates worked out from your due date, a contraction timer and more. When your baby arrives, the baby tracker is ready in the same app.
Sources and guidance
This page is written to be consistent with the official guidance below. It is general information for parents in Ireland, not medical advice. Links checked 23 September 2026.