24 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Week by Week Baby Growth & Development!
When you look at yourself in the mirror, you may have a sight of the more rounded version of yourself. Your tummy, bottom thighs, and upper arms look more filled out than before. The baby is gaining approximately 1 pound weight per week. You can feel the hiccups. If you ask your partner to put his ears on your stomach, he may get to hear the baby’s heartbeat. 24 Weeks Pregnant Guide reflects week-by-week development in the baby’s growth and tips for a healthy pregnancy.
Symptoms of 24th Week Pregnancy
What are the symptoms of a 24th-week pregnancy?
You will experience the below-mentioned symptoms –
24 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Visible Symptoms
These symptoms are visible on the body like stretch marks or swelling.
Swelling in Feet and Ankles
If you’ve got puffed and swollen feet then elevate them whenever possible. Just get up and go for a small walk too in between your work. A little bit of swelling is completely normal. But if you experience swelling on your face, or hands or if the body parts swell all of a sudden then it can be a sign of a serious condition called preeclampsia.
Stretch Marks
These marks appear because of the tears beneath the skin surface due to stretching. You can apply cream, lotions, and oils to keep the skin moisturized and reduce the stretch marks.
Linea Nigra
It’s a dark line that’ll be emerging from the belly button to the pubic area. It’s mainly due to pregnancy hormones and will fade away post-delivery.
24 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Invisible Symptoms
These symptoms can’t be visible but they can be only felt or experienced.
Backaches
As the baby grows, the uterus gets larger and may press against the spine causing backaches. Also, the back muscles have to work hard to carry all the extra weight of pregnancy.
Leg Cramps
If you have pain in your legs during pregnancy then one of the reasons for it can be dehydration. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Also, stretch your legs regularly and go for walks.
Blurred Vision
Many women experience blurred vision during pregnancy. It specifically happens due to pregnancy hormones as they decrease tear production, and increase the build-up of fluid in the eyes thereby altering the vision temporarily. It does pass after delivery so better not to change your lenses or eyeglasses.
If the pain gets unbearable in any of the symptoms, then you must talk to the doctor.
Common Problems During 24th Week Pregnancy
What are the common problems you will experience in the 24th week of pregnancy?
During the 24th week of pregnancy, you must look for swelling in your legs and ankles. If it is sudden swelling and is severe then it can be an indication of a more severe disease like preeclampsia.
Make sure to drink enough water, keep your feet elevated occasionally, and do moderate exercise. You may have to undergo a Glucose challenge test by this week. There are possibilities of women getting diagnosed with high blood sugar or gestational diabetes. Some women also experience preterm labor during this time. It is a serious issue that may need immediate medical attention.
Precautions/Warning During Week 24 of Pregnancy
What precautions you should take during week 24 of pregnancy?
Same as in week 22
24 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Baby Growth and Development
How is your baby growing and developing during the 24th week of pregnancy?
- Brain – During week 24 of pregnancy, the brain of your baby will be developing rapidly.
- Taste Buds – The taste buds of the baby will develop more along with other sensory functions.
- Lungs – Baby’s lungs start to produce a substance which is called a surfactant. This substance is required for proper breathing.
- Hair – The baby will also start growing hair.
- Structure – The fetus looks very lean at this stage of pregnancy.
- Skin – The skin will keep getting less see-through as fat deposits will be made.
The baby may have developed a schedule for waking and sleeping. At this stage, the baby would be small and developing but is potentially viable by now. That means it can survive outside the womb if born early. Although, the baby needs the assistance of a neonatal ventilator and aggressive medical help to survive.
Baby Size in the 24th Week of Pregnancy
What is the baby’s size in the 24th week of pregnancy?
In the 24th week of pregnancy, your baby is approximately 30cm long and is the size of an ear of corn.
Parental Care During 24th Week of Pregnancy
What parental care is needed during the 24th week of pregnancy?
By week 24 of pregnancy, the fetus goes through a growth spurt. This means that the uterus is expanding and you’ll get extra soreness and stretch marks. You must make use of a moisturizing lotion or oil for reducing the itching associated with the stretching of abdominal skin. Simple things such as bending become more difficult.
Many women enroll themselves in prenatal exercise classes. By this week you may have to go through a glucose screening test. It’s done for checking the presence of gestational diabetes. If you’ve high blood sugar levels that indicates the presence of gestational diabetes. If you’re positive for this test then the doctor will do one more test called as glucose tolerance test which can confirm the results.
Changes in the 24th Week of Pregnancy
There can be changes in looks, feelings, and experiences in pregnancy.
24 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Changes in Looks
What will you look like during the 24th week of pregnancy?
Stretch marks will continue to increase as the tummy is getting enlarged. You may notice now that your abdomen is getting rounder. Also, you’ll be experiencing swelling in the legs and ankles.
24 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Changes in Feelings
How will you feel during the 24th week of pregnancy?
You may be annoyed with the swelling, backaches, and heartburn. Some women feel conscious about their looks because of the gain in weight and stretch marks. Also now is the time when you’ve built a connection with the growing fetus. You tend to touch your tummy subconsciously and keep imagining what you are going to do post- baby’s birth.
24 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Changes in Experiences
What changes you will experience during week 24 of pregnancy?
You’ll be experiencing swelling in the legs and ankles. Stretch marks will continue to increase as the tummy is getting enlarged.
Diet During the 24th Week of Pregnancy
What should you eat during the 24th week of pregnancy?
Which food you should avoid during the 24th week of pregnancy?
Same week 23
Sex During 24th Week of Pregnancy
Is it safe to have sex during the 24th week of pregnancy?
You can indulge in sex with your partner taking care that you do it gently and slowly without putting much pressure on the tummy. Many women have an increased sex drive during this time of pregnancy. However, in some cases, doctors will strictly prohibit you from having sex. These can be due to different reasons like the risk of miscarriage history, premature labor, etc. In such cases refrain from having sex.
Some women may not crave sex at all which is also normal. Just speak to your partner about your feelings so that he doesn’t misunderstand you. Get yourself and your partner checked for any kind of sexually transmitted diseases.
Doctor Consultation in the 24th Week of Pregnancy
Do I need to visit a doctor in the 24th week of pregnancy?
What should you discuss with the doctor?
In week 24 of pregnancy, discuss with the doctor about the size of the baby. Check with him about the growth and development the baby is going through. Also talk about complications such as swelling, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labor, etc. The doctor will explain to you to monitor the symptoms and risk factors and how you can handle the situation appropriately.
24 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Test/ Procedure
What are the tests or procedures you should have in the 24th week of pregnancy?
If you have excessive swelling on the face, ankles, legs, hands, etc. then you’ll be checked for preeclampsia. The doctor will also ask for a glucose screening test. It would test if there is a presence of high blood sugar which can indicate gestational diabetes. If the test is positive then you will have to go through another test called as glucose tolerance test which will confirm the results.
Supplements in the 24th Week of Pregnancy
Do you need to take supplements during the 24th week of pregnancy?
The doctor will advise you to include supplements like iron, calcium, and folic acid. It is needed for the proper growth and development of the fetus. Birth defects or neural tube defects can be caused in babies due to a deficiency of folic acid. You should consume foods that are natural sources of these elements.
- Folic acid is present in broccoli, fenugreek leaves, spinach, avocado, oranges, etc.
- Iron is present in beetroot, egg yolk, fortified cereals, etc.
- Calcium is present in milk and milk products, fortified cereals, almonds, etc.
24 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Important Points to Know
What is important to know during the 24th week of pregnancy?
It’s very important to know that the lungs and brain functions of the child will develop during this time. There’ll be certain risks like preeclampsia, edema, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, etc. You must discuss with the doctor how this situation can affect the baby. This is the time when the risk of preterm labor begins. So, you must know what are the signs for it. Below mentioned are the symptoms –
- Rise in vaginal discharge
- Change in the texture of discharge as mucus-like, watery, or bloody.
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding
- Menstrual-like abdominal cramps
- A feeling of pushing down in the pelvic region.
- Sudden lower back pain.
- If you notice any of them it’s always better to call the doctor.
Preparation Guidelines for Baby
How should you start preparing for a baby’s birth?
Prepare yourself for your child’s birth through a healthy diet and moderate exercise. Also, get yourself checked for gestational diabetes. This will avoid the risk of blood sugar to your baby or you before or at the time of delivery. Enjoy the bond with your child when it is still in your tummy. Live and love these moments!
