Week Twenty-Four Pregnancy

You Are

At 24 weeks pregnant, you are well into the second trimester and frequently find yourself with your bump expanding very rapidly. Caring for your growing baby puts a lot of stress on your body, and it is normal to feel backaches, leg cramps, and mild swelling. For many expectant mothers, stronger fetal movements are becoming more apparent at this stage. In this regard, your uterus may be roughly the size of a soccer ball and you may start to see stretch marks.

Eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, and doing mild exercise such as prenatal yoga or walking are all good at this stage of your pregnancy. If you haven’t done so already, book an appointment for your glucose screening test to screen for gestational diabetes.

Your Baby

At week 24, your baby is about 12 inches long and weighs about 1.3 pounds—about the size of an ear of corn. Your baby now has clearer features and taste buds are emerging. Your baby’s lungs begin to produce surfactant, which is essential for breath after birth.

Your baby can recognize your voice at this stage of development. Talking to or singing to your baby can strengthen your bond. Since their brain develops rapidly, they start sleeping in REM stages, meaning they could be dreaming.