24 Weeks Pregnant
How is Your Baby Growing at 24 Weeks?
Growth is now accelerating and your baby’s brain is getting more and more sophisticated and the lungs are beginning to produce surfactant, which lubricates the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs and enables them to inflate after birth.
Their skin is becoming less translucent and their hair is still white in colour due to a lack of pigment.
How Big is Your Baby at 24 Weeks?
At week 24, your baby is 30 cm (about the size of a cantaloupe melon) and weighs 600 g.
What Happens at 24 Weeks?
When you’re 24 weeks pregnant, you will start feeling your baby move around a lot, particularly in response to noises. Your uterus will sit well above your belly button at this point, and this might lead to indigestion and heartburn.
If you haven’t yet had your whooping cough vaccine, this will be offered to you by your midwife or GP between now and week 32.
What Symptoms Will You Have at 24 Weeks?
Many of the week 24 symptoms are similar to those in week 23, including headaches, nosebleeds, stretch marks, and piles.
Around week 24, your pregnancy hormones might start to cause your eyes to become dry and irritated. Your vision might be a little blurry due to the increased curvature of the eyes caused by your hormones. Your vision will return to normal after birth.
The increased blood flow to your uterus may cause dryness and itchiness on your baby bump. Try to wear loose fitting clothing that won’t further irritate your skin.
If you experience itchiness around your feet and ankles, you should contact your midwife or GP for further advice, as this could be a sign of obstetric cholestasis.
