Overview of Week 24 of pregnancy
During week 24 of pregnancy:
- Your baby is 12 inches long
- You are in trimester two
- 16 more weeks to go
- Baby’s lungs are producing surfactant
At this point in pregnancy, all your baby’s organs and features have been developed, they just need some time before they are fully functional. Your baby will spend the remainder of the pregnancy getting ready for life on the outside. This included putting on more fat and continuing to develop the lungs and brain more. Your baby is also practicing important life skills like breathing, sucking, and swallowing.
How many months pregnant is 24 weeks?
At 24 weeks pregnant, you are now 5 and a half months pregnant. You are in the second trimester and have only 3 and a half more months left to go.
How big is baby at 24 weeks pregnant?
At 24 weeks pregnant, your baby is approximately 12 inches long. That’s roughly the size of a canteloupe. Weightwise, your baby is just over one pound, but quickly putting on more weight. At this point, your little one is expected to gain around 3-6 ounces of weight every week.
Baby development during week 24 of pregnancy
Fat
Your baby continues to develop fat all around its body. The skin is currently saggy since skin grows faster than the fat; however, that fat will smooth it out soon.
Lungs
At 24 weeks pregnant, your baby’s lungs are still in development. The tiny branches within the lungs are developing which will help to convert oxygen to carbon dioxide. They are also developing surfactant, a substance that lines the air sacs, which makes breathing possible.
Pregnancy Week 24 Symptoms
Braxton-Hicks
Braxton-Hick contractions are false labor pains caused by the contraction of the uterus. They are not contractions that indicate that labor is coming; instead, they prepare your body for labor. Unlike labor contractions, these contractions come irregularly and do not increase in length or strength. They can feel uncomfortable and like mild menstrual cramps. You may start to feel Braxton-Hicks at any time in your pregnancy from now on.
Stretch marks
You may have started to notice stretch marks forming on your belly and breasts. These indented, purple, red, or blue lines occur when skin is stretched quickly. It is difficult to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy and they are usually permanent scars. You may not be able to avoid them completely, but you can start to use lotions and oils on your belly and breasts to help reduce the severity of the marks.
Protruding belly button
Don’t be surprised if your normally ‘innie’ belly button starts to protrude from your abdomen. Although it doesn’t happen to all women, sometimes the uterus and fetus put so much pressure on the abdomen that it pushes out the belly button. Generally, this will go back to normal after the baby is born.
Pregnancy brain
You may notice that you seem to forget more things nowadays. You may not remember specific details, dates, or things on your to-do list. Perhaps you may not be able to focus on tasks and your mind seems to wonder. This is a common occurrence in pregnancy. In order to combat this, writing yourself notes and leaving them around your home might be a beneficial idea.
Back pain
Now that your baby bump is growing, you might start to experience back pain. Back pain in pregnancy usually begins in the second trimester and is characterized as a dull or achy pain in the lower back. To relieve pain, try to keep a good posture. If your belly is bigger, you may want to try a pregnancy band to relieve some of the pressure out of your back. Heat pads or massage may also help to relieve some pain.
Swelling
Swelling in pregnancy is a normal symptom that usually starts in the second trimester and may worsen towards the end of pregnancy. Excess fluids in the body and pressure from your growing uterus can cause water retention in the feet, ankles, and hands. If you notice your fingers starting to swell, you should remove any rings until the swelling goes down. Let your doctor or midwife know if the swelling worsens or if there is a large amount in your face or around your eyes.
Pregnancy week 24 tips
Take pictures
Have you taken your weekly baby bump photo yet? These pictures will be a good memory to look back on and it is a fun way to show your belly growing throughout your pregnancy.
Prenatal classes
Take some time and research any prenatal classes in your area that may be of interest to you. Not only are birthing classes something to look into, but you may not have considered the other options available to you. Prenatal yoga or exercise classes are fun ways to get in some movement and meet other expecting moms. Your area may also have a special prenatal women’s group for expecting mothers to meet up and socialize.
Look into childcare
It may seem silly to look into daycare for a child who isn’t even born yet; however, daycares often have long waitlists. If you wait too long, you may find that there will be no available daycares for when you need them. It doesn’t hurt to get on a list now, at least you will know that you have a secured spot.
Decide on your maternity leave
It’s time to talk to your employer about your upcoming maternity leave. How long of a leave are you entitled to and when do you plan on starting your leave? It is good to have a plan in place with your employer before your baby comes so that there are no surprises for either of you.
Do your kegals
If you haven’t already, it is recommended that you start doing kegal exercises every day. These exercises are beneficial in strengthening your pelvic floor muscles and will aid in labor. In order to perform kegals, you must locate your correct muscles, which are the same ones that stop the flow of urine. Once you have located these muscles, squeeze them (as if you were stopping your pee) for a count of 5-6 seconds, then slowly release for another count of 5-6 seconds. Do this repetition around 10 times and repeat 2-3 times per day.
