24 Weeks Pregnancy: Symptoms, Baby Development, And Helpful Tips

24 Weeks Pregnancy: Symptoms, Baby Development, And Helpful Tips

29 Dec 2016 | 11 min Read

Sudeshna Chakravarti

Author | 799 Articles

Congrats mumma-to-be, you’ve made it more than halfway through your pregnancy journey! At 24 weeks pregnant, you are considered to be in the final leap of the second trimester and have just three more months till you meet your little one.

Your baby will continue to develop in the womb during this time and reach major developmental milestones. You should also get pretty excited about your ultrasound this week, as you will be able to see your baby’s facial features distinctly through the scan.

On the symptoms front, you will continue to experience pregnancy symptoms similar to the ones felt in the previous weeks, and also undergo certain physical and emotional changes. This week, your belly button will really “pop” and protrude outward, but don’t fret, as it goes back to normal right after delivery.

Keep reading to know more about your baby’s growth and developmental progress, and the common pregnancy symptoms you will experience in the 24th week of pregnancy.

Your Baby’s Development at 24 Weeks

At 24 weeks of pregnancy, you are six months pregnant and will be entering the final trimester pretty soon. During this week’s prenatal visit, you will notice that your baby bean has put on more weight and is growing bigger lengthwise as well. 

By this week, your little one will also be able to hear your voices and may even respond occasionally with kicks and wiggles.

Let’s have a look at some of the other interesting details and facts about your baby’s development in the 24th week of pregnancy.

How Big is Your Baby at 24 Weeks?

At 24 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is as big as the ear of corn. They will measure about 30cms (11.8 inches) in length and weigh 600gms (1.32lb). 

Want to get a little more insight into your baby’s weekly growth, development, and size progress? Then follow the posts under the pregnancy-week-by-week section on BabyChakra. These posts are information-rich and give you all the information about foetal growth, development, and pregnancy progress in one place.

The posts also discuss self-care tips for expecting mums, and what to expect at your weekly prenatal visits, making your pregnancy journey much smoother and stress-free.

Foetal Development at 24-Week Pregnancy

24 weeks pregnancy
By this week, your baby’s facial features are more prominent and eyes open and close inside the womb / Image source: Medical News

In the 24th week of pregnancy, your little one will be growing rapidly inside the womb, and here’s what their development is going to look like:

  • Eyes: Your baby’s eyelids are separated into upper and lower lids. Eyelashes and eyebrows are visible now. Your little one will also be able to open and close their eyes.
  • Head: Their head will be proportionally larger than the body by this week.
  • Skin: It appears red and wrinkled. Fat deposition starts beneath their skin.
  • Lanugo: Your baby’s skin is covered with fine hair called lanugo and a waxy coating (vernix).
  • Brain: The brain is developing and uses 50% of the foetus’ energy. Additionally, there is around a 400-500 percent increase in brain weight.
  • Lungs: The lungs are still developing and your baby starts breathing movements. The lung cells begin to form surfactants by this week.
  • Heart: More than 30 million heartbeats have occurred by the 24th week of pregnancy.
  • Fingers and toes: Developed by this week and have unique finger and toe prints.
  • Bone marrow: Starts producing red blood cells by this week.
  • Ears: Your baby’s ear bones harden at 24 weeks, and make sound conduction possible.
  • Tongue: Taste buds continue to form.
  • Hair: Your little one begins to grow hair on their head.
  • Reflexes: Your baby develops the startle reflex.
  • Gender: In girls, the uterus is formed with the ovaries containing eggs. In boys, testicles begin to grow into the scrotum, through the abdomen.

Common Symptoms That You Will Experience This Week

Each week you will experience a set of new pregnancy symptoms, with some of them being similar to the early signs of pregnancy. Besides that, you are also likely to experience similar pregnancy symptoms from the previous weeks.

  • Braxton Hicks contractions: These are regular and less painful contractions that you will experience this week. While it may be felt by some pregnant women, others might not experience this symptom throughout their pregnancy. These contractions usually prepare your body for labour.
  • Weight gain: You may gain an average of 550gms-700gms per week during the second trimester. However, your weight gain should solely depend on your BMI, and hence ensure to check with your doctor about your ideal weight gain during pregnancy.
  • Backache: The expanding uterus exerts a lot of pressure on your lower back, straining your muscles, and resulting in backache. Maintain good posture and engage in stretching exercises to alleviate this pain.
  • Edema: Your body retains a lot of water during pregnancy, causing swelling in your feet and ankle. This condition is termed edema and is a common symptom experienced in the 24th week of pregnancy. However, if you notice sudden swelling, consult your doctor, as it could be a sign of preeclampsia.
  • Constipation: During pregnancy, your digestive tract relaxes due to the release of the progesterone hormone. This slows down intestinal motility, causing constipation. Add wholesome and fibre-rich foods to your diet to prevent this condition. 
  • Leg cramps: Leg cramps are a common symptom that you will experience this week. It is usually caused due to the additional pressure put on your lower body by the uterus, but in some cases could also be a result of calcium and magnesium deficiency.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome: Due to an increase in your blood volume, additional pressure is exerted on your nerves, causing a tingling sensation in your wrist and hands.
  • Excess saliva: To neutralise the acidity in your mouth, excess saliva is secreted during this time.
  • Itchy eyes: Hormonal fluctuations alter tear production, causing itchiness in your eyes. 
  • Lower abdominal pain: As your uterus continues to expand, the muscles and ligaments in your pelvic area stretch, leading to lower abdominal pain.
  • Blurred vision: An increase of fluid build-up in your eyes can cause blurred vision.
  • Increased vaginal discharge: You will also experience an increase in vaginal discharge during this time, but don’t worry, as this symptom is normal and helps prevent infections from entering the vagina.
  • Nasal congestion: The mucous membranes in your nasal cavity swell up and soften due to hormonal fluctuations. This causes nasal congestion and in some cases breathlessness.
  • Pregnancy brain: Hormonal changes lead to pregnancy brain or forgetfulness during this period.
  • Frequency of urination: The extra pressure put by the uterus on your bladder increases your urge to pee.

Your Body at the 24th Week of Pregnancy

24 weeks pregnancy
You will continue to undergo several physical and emotional changes in the 24th week of pregnancy

In the 24th week of pregnancy, you experience several emotional and physical changes. These changes are completely different from what you felt in the first trimester and can sometimes be uncomfortable to handle. 

Physical changes:

  • Itchy skin and stretch marks
  • Enlarged belly with a protruding belly button
  • Darker linea nigra due to hormonal changes
  • Enlarged breasts with darker nipples and areola. You may also notice pimple-like spots around the areola. These spots secrete lubricants to keep your nipples nourished and supple. 
  • White, milky discharge from your breast, called colostrum
  • Shinier, thicker, and fuller hair due to hormonal changes
  • Blue or green veins on your breasts due to increased blood flow
  • Skin pigmentation, acne, and patchy skin around your neck

Emotional changes:

  • Anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Forgetfulness
  • Stress

24 Weeks Pregnant Belly

Your belly will appear much enlarged now, and this is the perfect time to schedule your maternity shoots and pose with your adorable baby bump. You should also keep your phone camera ready to document your baby’s random moves and kicks. You will also be able to feel your little one wriggling and rolling inside the womb.

At 24 weeks pregnant, your baby will attain a sleep pattern too. If you want to know more about your baby’s activity and movements in the upcoming weeks, you can use the pregnancy month calculator for details.

Do You Need an Ultrasound at The 24th Week Of Pregnancy?

When you are 24 weeks pregnant, you will have a regular prenatal checkup, where the doctor will determine your blood pressure, weight gain, and also measure fundal height. Additionally, they will suggest a glucose tolerance test to determine your blood sugar levels.

You will also have a routine ultrasound scan to determine your baby’s growth and developmental progress and to detect any congenital abnormalities in them. 

Self-care Tips for 24 Weeks Pregnancy

24 weeks pregnancy
Include nutritious and fibre-rich foods in your diet to meet your caloric requirements and also keep your energy levels steady

We have listed essential self-care tips to follow during the 24th week of pregnancy to ensure your health and well-being.

  • Drink 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day to maintain hydration.
  • Eat home-cooked food and follow a healthy diet filled with fibre and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Include fruits, veggies, bread, and legumes to meet your nutritional requirements and calorie intake.
  • Take doctor-prescribed vitamin supplements.
  • Keep stress at bay and give your body enough rest.
  • Avoid lifting and moving heavy objects.
  • Engage in light exercises like kegels and prenatal yoga to strengthen your pelvic bones.
  • Wear loose, breathable clothing, and comfortable footwear.
  • Avoid exposure to chemically-loaded objects and skincare products.

Pregnancy Checklist at 24 Weeks

A set of checklists for the 24th week of pregnancy:

  • Schedule a prenatal appointment with your doctor for the next week.
  • Contact the sonographer to book the next week’s ultrasound scan.
  • Consider using a baby name finder to list down preferred names for your little one.
  • Set up your baby’s nursery and make a list of baby care essentials you need to purchase.

What to Ask Your Doctor?

You’ve already come halfway through your pregnancy, and now is the right time to ask your doctor about the questions that are bothering you. Some crucial questions to ask your doctor in the 24th week of pregnancy include:

  • What did my glucose tolerance test detect?
  • How should I maintain my weight?
  • Should I be worried if my baby is kicking less?
  • Is my baby able to hear my voice now?
  • Do you want to add any more medicines to my prescription?
  • What tests will I have next week?
  • Do I need to get an ultrasound scan in the next week?

Conclusion

In the 24th week of pregnancy, your baby’s organs are rapidly developing, and you may feel increased kicks and movements at this stage. You will also undergo several physical changes and also feel emotionally drained due to hormonal fluctuations.

In case you experience concerning symptoms like unusual cramping, bleeding, or abnormal foetal movement, consult your doctor right away to determine the possible cause and administer treatment methods. 

FAQs

Does 24 weeks pregnant mean six months?

Yes. 24 weeks pregnant means you are in the sixth month of pregnancy and have only three months left to meet your little one.

What is special about the 24th week of pregnancy?

In the 24th week of pregnancy, your baby’s facial; features become more defined, and their auditory development advances, meaning they can now hear your voice more frequently.

What position is the baby at 24 weeks?

At 24 weeks, your baby is positioned upright, with their bottom down behind your cervix. They may also be positioned sideways or transverse. 

How often should my baby kick at 24 weeks?

There is no set number of times your baby should kick during pregnancy. Each baby follows a different pattern, and you will eventually get a hang of their movements.

How big should my baby bump be at 24 weeks? 

Your bump should be about the size of a soccer ball by 24 weeks. 

Also read:

25 weeks pregnancy symptoms: Are you 25 weeks pregnant? Check out this post to learn everything about your baby’s development and the common symptoms you will experience this week.

Ovulation calculator: Check out this post to know how to use an ovulation calculator and its benefits. 

Featured image: Freepik.com

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Suggestions offered by doctors on BabyChakra are of advisory nature i.e., for educational and informational purposes only. Content posted on, created for, or compiled by BabyChakra is not intended or designed to replace your doctor's independent judgment about any symptom, condition, or the appropriateness or risks of a procedure or treatment for a given person.