Pregnancy Week 23: Baby Can Hear Your Voice

You've officially crossed into the back half of the second trimester, and week 23 is one of the loveliest to notice. Your bump is undeniably a bump now, baby's kicks are becoming something like a rhythm, and — the headline milestone — those tiny ears are working. When you talk, laugh or sing, your baby hears you.

This guide walks you through what your baby is doing this week, what your body is up to, and the small, sensible things worth thinking about — nutrition, gentle movement, questions for your next appointment, and a few practical tips. Nothing dramatic to do here; mostly just show up, stay curious, and be kind to yourself.

One quick note before we dive in: this article is educational, not medical advice. Every pregnancy is a little different, and your obstetrician or midwife is the person who knows your history. We're the team behind Vyve, a private AI pregnancy tracker that lives on your phone — so, transparent source — but nothing here replaces the personal care of your clinician.

Your baby this week

At 23 weeks, your baby is roughly the size of a large grapefruit — about 28 to 29 centimeters (around 11 inches) from head to heel and weighing something in the neighborhood of 500 to 550 grams, a little over a pound. Length-wise, they're most of the way there; the real weight and chub still lies ahead over the next four months.

The headline development this week is hearing. Your baby's inner ear — the tiny, intricate structure that translates sound into signals — is essentially complete, and their brain is now processing what it picks up. They can hear the steady thump of your heartbeat, the swoosh of blood flow, the gurgles of digestion, and, through the fluid and tissue, your voice. Louder outside sounds — music, laughter, a slamming door — reach them too, though muffled. Many parents notice that reading, singing or simply chatting to the bump prompts a flutter or kick in response.

A few other things quietly under way this week:

• Skin. Your baby's skin is still thin, wrinkled and reddish, because the layer of fat that will smooth it out is only just beginning to build. They're covered in fine lanugo hair and a waxy protective coating called vernix.
• Lungs. The tiny blood vessels in the lungs are developing rapidly, preparing for the enormous job of taking a first breath weeks from now. Full lung readiness comes later, but the groundwork is being laid this week.
• Movement patterns. Your baby is genuinely active — kicking, stretching, hiccuping, sometimes turning. You may start to notice quieter and busier periods. A rough sense of their daily rhythm often begins to emerge around now.
• Face. Features are becoming more defined, and even though their eyes stay closed, the muscles around them are practicing.

Mom's body & symptoms

Your uterus is now roughly the size of a soccer ball, sitting a couple of centimeters above your belly button, and the outward bump is unmistakable. You've probably gained somewhere between 12 and 18 pounds by this stage, though the healthy range varies a lot depending on your starting point and your clinician's guidance.

Common week-23 symptoms include:

• Stronger fetal movements. The little butterfly flutters from earlier weeks are turning into distinct kicks, rolls and jabs — and partners can often feel them from the outside now, palm-on-bump.
• Mild swelling in the feet, ankles or hands, especially at the end of the day or in warm weather. Elevating your feet and staying hydrated help. Sudden or dramatic swelling, especially in your face, deserves a call to your clinician.
• Occasional Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions — a brief, painless tightening of the uterus. They're your body rehearsing, not the real thing.
• Backache and hip discomfort as your center of gravity keeps shifting and pregnancy hormones loosen ligaments.
• Heartburn or indigestion as your growing uterus presses upward on your stomach.
• Stretch marks appearing on the belly, breasts, hips or thighs. They fade over time; genetics largely decide who gets them.
• Nasal congestion, snoring or nosebleeds from increased blood volume and swollen nasal tissues — annoying but usually harmless.
• Occasional dizziness when standing up quickly, and mild leg cramps at night.

The general rule of thumb: most week-23 symptoms are mild and manageable. But severe or persistent headaches, sudden swelling in the face or hands, blurred vision, upper-abdominal pain, or a noticeable drop in your baby's movement should always prompt a call to your obstetrician or midwife. Trust your instincts — you know your body.

Nutrition tips for week 23

You don't need a special diet at 23 weeks — you need a steady, nourishing one that supports both your baby's rapid brain and organ development and your own energy. A few emphases matter more right now:

• Iron-rich foods. Your blood volume is up, and your baby is stocking iron in their own stores. Include lean meats, lentils, beans, tofu, spinach and fortified cereals. Pair plant sources with vitamin C (citrus, peppers, tomatoes) to boost absorption.
• Calcium and vitamin D. Your baby's bones and teeth are hardening steadily. Dairy, fortified plant milks, leafy greens, tinned fish with soft bones and moderate sun exposure all help.
• Omega-3s (especially DHA). Critical for the brain and eye development happening right now. Two portions a week of low-mercury oily fish like salmon or sardines, or a clinician-approved algae-based supplement, is a common recommendation.
• Fiber and fluids. Pregnancy hormones plus a bigger uterus pressing on your gut make constipation common. Whole grains, fruit, veg and 8–10 glasses of water a day are your friends.
• Small, frequent meals. These help with heartburn and steady blood sugar — much kinder than three big meals right now.

Continue avoiding the usual suspects: unpasteurized dairy, undercooked meat and eggs, high-mercury fish, deli meats you haven't heated through, and alcohol. Caffeine in moderation is generally considered fine — check the limit your clinician recommends.

Safe exercise this week

For most healthy pregnancies, staying active into and through the second trimester is genuinely good for you — better sleep, steadier mood, easier labor recovery for many, and healthier weight gain. Around 30 minutes of moderate movement most days is a common recommendation, but you and your clinician set the actual dial.

Good week-23 options:

• Brisk walking — the classic, and it's classic for a reason.
• Prenatal yoga or gentle stretching — helps with back pain, hips and breath awareness.
• Swimming or aqua aerobics — the water takes weight off aching joints and feels wonderful.
• Stationary cycling — low fall risk and adjustable intensity.
• Light strength work — bodyweight or small weights, focus on posture and core stability.

Skip or adapt: anything with fall or contact risk (skiing, contact sports, high-impact games), lying flat on your back for long stretches (a growing uterus can press on major blood vessels), hot yoga, and pushing to breathlessness. If you can hold a conversation, you're probably at the right intensity. Stop and check in with your clinician if you feel dizzy, short of breath, have chest pain, contractions, unusual pelvic pressure, or any bleeding.

Questions to ask your doctor

You may have a check-up around now, and if you don't, your next one is close. A few questions worth bringing:

• Is my baby's growth on track based on my measurements and any recent scans?
• When is my glucose screening (usually between weeks 24 and 28), and how should I prepare?
• What kick-count or movement pattern should I watch for from here on?
• Which symptoms warrant a phone call, and which are emergencies?
• When should we start discussing my birth plan?
• Are there specific tests or vaccinations recommended for me in the coming weeks?

If you'd like a broader picture of the weeks around this one, our guides to pregnancy week 24 and pregnancy week 25 pick up right where this one leaves off. For a big-picture view of your due date, try our simple due date calculator. And if it's still very early days for you or someone you love, early signs of pregnancy covers what those very first weeks feel like.

3 practical tips for week 23

1. Start a little bedtime ritual with baby. A few minutes of talking, reading a favorite passage, or playing a specific piece of music can become a familiar cue — some parents find their baby responds to the same song after birth.
2. Sleep on your side, comfortably. From now on, side sleeping (either side, though left is often suggested) is the most comfortable and blood-flow-friendly. A pillow between your knees or under your bump can be a game-changer.
3. Do the small childbirth-class research now. Local classes fill up. Have a look at what's near you, ask friends and your clinician for recommendations, and get on a list rather than waiting till the third trimester rush.

How Vyve helps you track pregnancy — privately

Pregnancy is enormous, personal and fast-moving. Between kick counts, symptom notes, weight, mood, appointments and everything you meant to ask the doctor, it's easy to lose the thread. That's the gap Vyve is built to fill — a private AI pregnancy tracker that lives on your phone, learns your patterns, and turns months of scattered notes into a clean picture you can actually use.

The reason Vyve suits pregnancy well is that it treats your pregnancy as the source of truth — not a generic 40-week template. It tracks how your symptoms cluster, when kicks are strong, how your sleep and mood move week to week, and exports a doctor-ready summary you can bring to appointments. And it does it privacy-first: the AI runs on your device, your data is encrypted and stays on your phone, there's no required account, and nothing about your pregnancy is sold or shared. For something this intimate, that matters.

Frequently asked questions

How big is my baby at 23 weeks pregnant?

At 23 weeks, your baby is roughly the size of a large grapefruit — about 28 to 29 centimeters (around 11 inches) from head to heel and weighing around 500 to 550 grams (a little over one pound). Baby is lengthening and starting to fill out slightly, though most of the visible weight gain still lies ahead in the third trimester.

Can my baby hear my voice at 23 weeks?

Yes. By week 23, your baby's inner ear is essentially complete and their brain is processing sound. They can hear your voice, your heartbeat, your digestion, and louder sounds from outside the womb. Many parents notice that talking, reading or singing to their bump prompts kicks or movement — a lovely, tangible way to start bonding.

What symptoms are normal at 23 weeks pregnant?

Common week 23 symptoms include a visibly rounder bump, stronger and more predictable fetal movements, mild swelling in feet or ankles, occasional Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions, backache, heartburn, stretch marks, and sometimes a stuffy nose. Most of these are normal second-trimester experiences — but severe headaches, sudden swelling, or reduced movement should always be checked by your doctor.

Is it safe to exercise at 23 weeks?

For most healthy pregnancies, yes — gentle to moderate movement is encouraged. Walking, prenatal yoga, swimming, stationary cycling and light strength training are all commonly recommended. Avoid lying flat on your back for long stretches, contact sports, or anything with a fall risk. Your obstetrician or midwife is the best person to confirm what's right for your specific pregnancy.

What should I ask my doctor at 23 weeks?

Good questions at this stage include: when is my glucose screening scheduled, are my baby's growth measurements on track, what movement patterns should I watch for, when should I call urgently, and what does my birth-plan timeline look like from here? Bringing tracked notes about symptoms and movement makes the appointment far more useful for both of you.