24 Weeks Pregnant: What To Expect?

At 24 weeks pregnant your pregnancy’s second trimester is about to end, and you are now on the verge of the third trimester. Growth of the baby is coming along well, and your growing belly is evidence of the changes that are happening to you and the baby, so let’s understand them in detail.

Baby’s Growth During Pregnancy – Week 24

Your baby gained about six ounces each week at week 24 and weighs about 1.32 pounds, almost a foot in length. Most of the baby’s weight is the result of growing organs, muscles, bones, fat. The face of the baby is extremely small but with its hair, eyebrows and eyelashes producing its beautiful look close to complete formation. The hair of your baby has not developed any color since the pigments still have to appear. The skin of your baby is very tender and highly transparent, and it will also show bones, blood vessels and their organs in a closer look.

What is the Baby’s Size?

You’re going to be very keen to know how your baby grows. At 24 weeks of pregnancy, when measured from head to heel, which is about 11.8 inches, the baby’s size is now almost as large (or small) as an ear of corn. Your baby is now breathing through his nostrils, getting ready for the real world. But now instead of air, it’s the amniotic fluid being inhaled.

24-week Symptoms of Pregnancy

• Swollen ankles and feet: If you are puffy with your tootsies, elevate them while sitting. Often getting up and walking can also help. A little swelling is to be expected altogether, but swelling in your face, severe swelling in your hands, or uneven swelling (in one leg and not the other) or sudden swelling is not run-of-the-mill. In fact, these are signs of preeclampsia, a dangerous complication of pregnancy, so tell your OB if you experience any out-of-the-ordinary swelling.
• Leg cramps: Close, achy, or “jumpy” legs can be a dehydration sign. So make sure you drink plenty of water. Frequently stretch your legs and take many walks. Let your doctor know you’re getting leg cramps; they’re probably not a problem, but sometimes cramps can be a sign of another problem, like a nutritional deficiency, so keep an eye on them.
• Backaches: Yep, you’re still having back pain — and maybe even worse. That’s because your uterus (of course) presses against your spine as the baby grows bigger, making it more curved and strained. You also have to work harder with your back muscles to carry the extra weight. Tell your doctor if there is any serious pain (a.k.a. sciatica).
• Linea nigra: That’s the dark line running up your belly’s center. Influenced by the hormones of pregnancy, the linea nigra should fade after giving birth within a few weeks to months.
• Stretch marks: As your skin stretches, even more, these “tiger stripes” may continue to appear. If you are pregnant with twins for 24 weeks, you are likely to get them more likely.

 

24 weeks pregnant belly

You’ve probably felt baby kicking for at least a few weeks at 24 pregnant weeks, but now they’re getting stronger and stronger. Indeed, your partner or others who touch your belly may soon begin to feel those kicks too.

Recommended 24 weeks pregnant weight gain for moms of normal weight is about 14 to 16 pounds. If you’ve gained a little more than that, don’t worry— it’s a drastic or sudden weight gain that’s worrying — but you’ll want to find ways to keep your weight gain under control for the healthiest possible pregnancy.

Did you know that 24 is twin moms ‘ magic number? Women who are 24 weeks pregnant with twins are now recommended to have earned 24 pounds. In fact, if you have, your risk of premature labor has actually been reduced.

24 Weeks Ultrasound

Baby is making progress within your 24 weeks of the pregnant belly. It’s not just about anatomical things; it’s also about looks. The see-through skin of your 24-week fetus is gradually becoming more opaque and, thanks to the small capillaries that have recently formed, it takes on a fresh, pink glow.

Your doctor will order a Glucose Challenge screening test around 24 weeks of pregnancy — one of the most memorable prenatal tests — to see if you are at risk for gestational diabetes. The test is designed to see how sugar is processed by your body, so you will be asked to drink a sweet liquid called Glucola (which reminds us of Gatorade) and hang out for an hour. Once the hour is up, your blood will be drawn and then it will be tested to see how the sugar has been processed by your body.

You may need to have a follow-up test called the glucose tolerance test if your doctor finds abnormal results. Hunker down in this one’s waiting room! It will measure how, over a three-hour period, your body processes sugar to see if you have gestational diabetes. If you do, this isn’t the world’s end. Your doctor will advise you on how to keep your condition under control so that the rest of your pregnancy remains healthy. And you and your baby may get extra monitoring— in other words, extra ultrasounds. Look at the bright side: at least more often you’ll get to look at the baby!