Pregnancy symptoms at 23 weeks

Linea nigra

Also called the pregnancy line, the linea nigra is a dark, vertical line most pregnant women develop on their growing baby bump during their second trimester. Higher-than-usual levels of hormones act on the cells that contain melanin, which gives your skin its color. (Fun fact: You always have the line down your belly, but it's usually not visible.) Even though most women will develop the linea nigra during pregnancy, it's most prominent for women with dark skin and dark hair. After your pregnancy, the linea nigra should fade over a few weeks to months, though in some women it may not disappear entirely.

Breast changes

The most obvious pregnancy breast change is one you're probably very aware of: Your breasts grow! Now that you're in the second half of pregnancy, you might also notice that the veins in your breasts are more prominent and your areolas (the pigmented area around your nipples) are darkening. As your due date draws near, your breasts might leak colostrum. This high-protein, antibody-rich liquid is the first milk your baby will eat after they're born. It's totally normal if your breasts leak drops of this thick, yellowish substance during pregnancy – but it's nothing to worry about if they don't.

Pregnancy cravings

Now that your appetite has likely returned (perhaps stronger than ever), you might be having intense cravings. Most women will crave at least one specific food during pregnancy, and many crave a variety of different foods.

While it isn't clear what causes pregnancy cravings, some experts suspect changing hormones play a role. We asked BabyCenter moms what they craved most during pregnancy: Almost half (49%) said sweets, 42% said salty snacks, 38% said spicy foods, and 21% said sour stuff like citrus fruit, green apples, and sour candy. (Respondents could choose multiple categories.) 

It's fine to eat what sounds good – just don't let any unhealthy cravings overpower your need for nutritious food during pregnancy. To keep urges for salty and sweet snacks in check, eat a varied diet full of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and protein every day.

Vision changes

Many women have mild and temporary vision changes during pregnancy, such as becoming more nearsighted or having blurry vision. Pregnancy changes in hormones, metabolism, fluid retention, and circulation can all affect your eyesight. It's wise to pay attention to vision changes because some can signal serious health complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, and hyperthyroidism. If you're experiencing temporary vision loss, having severely blurry vision or double vision, or seeing flashing lights, call your healthcare provider immediately.

Forgetfulness

Is "pregnancy brain" real? It's not clear, but some think forgetfulness during pregnancy may be caused by sleep disruptions, changing hormones, stress, and brain changes. If you're forgetting names or lacking focus, you're not alone – plenty of expecting moms say they feel some brain fog. But keep in mind: The research isn't clear that pregnancy brain exists or that it affects every expecting mom. Pregnant women who do notice it typically experience minor, manageable forgetfulness. And having pregnancy brain doesn't mean you aren't as smart and capable as ever.