Week 23

Your baby can now hear your voice so it’s a good time to read, sing and talk to your bump. Find out more about your baby’s development and how you can pack your diet with all the nutrients your baby needs to grow.

You’re now past the halfway mark, and your baby is roughly 29cm long and weighs around 1lb 1oz. He or she is practising breathing ready for the outside world by taking in amniotic fluid into their developing lungs, and if their hand senses your umbilical cord in the womb they’ll be able to grasp it. Although their skin is still delicate, it’s growing tougher and stronger and oil and sweat glands are now being used. It’s more common to feel your baby kick, and even hiccup at this stage.

Calcium is important for both of you; it builds strong, healthy bones and teeth and aids the healthy functioning of your muscular, circulatory and nervous systems. While it’s true that your body becomes more efficient at absorbing and utilising calcium during pregnancy, it’s still important to include good sources of calcium in your diet. A healthy, varied diet should include calcium-rich foods; tuck into low-fat dairy foods such as cheese, yogurt or skimmed milk along with tinned sardines, sesame seeds, green leafy vegetables, tofu, baked beans and figs. Many cereals are now fortified with extra calcium and don’t forget to drink the milk that’s left. Sticking to low-fat dairy foods won’t give you any less calcium, just fewer calories.

Learn about an overweight pregnancy diet plan >>

If you’ve got any questions about your pregnancy diet, contact our Careline on 800 6458 6262 (UAE)/ +971 4 420 9489 (Other countries) between the hours of 9am and 6pm Saturday to Thursday.