24Th week of gestation

Symptoms and Baby Development| Pampers

24 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

When you’re 24 weeks pregnant, your baby is growing and getting stronger! You may feel your little one’s movements more than you did before, with pokes and kicks becoming increasingly frequent. You may notice periods when your baby’s movement levels seem to increase, such as before bedtime. Likewise, you might also notice other times when these movements seem less frequent, which could occur when your baby is resting or sleeping. Your healthcare provider can offer advice on whether you should be monitoring your baby’s movements. If your provider gives you the go-ahead, this downloadable fetal movement tracker can help you keep a record. Another important milestone at around 24 weeks pregnant is that your baby’s inner ear is fully developed. This organ controls the sense of balance and helps your baby feel if they’re right side up or down in the womb. And although your baby’s lungs are formed by this week, the lungs will be ready to function normally in the outside world only after they start producing surfactant. This substance helps keep the lungs’ air sacs inflated, and your baby will start producing it at around 26 weeks. If you’re 24 weeks pregnant with twins, learn more about the development of your multiples in our twin pregnancy week-by-week guide.

The Size of the Fetus at 24 Weeks Pregnant

Now that you’re 24 weeks pregnant, your fetus is about the size of a full ear of corn. Your little one weighs slightly over 1 pound and is almost 8 inches long from crown to rump. Take a peek at how your baby may look at 24 weeks with the visual below.

How Many Months Is 24 Weeks Pregnant?

At 24 weeks pregnant, you’re just a few weeks away from the end of the second trimester, which runs from 14 to 27 weeks. This puts you approximately at the end of six months pregnant. Keep in mind, there are various ways to group the weeks of pregnancy into months, and knowing which week you’re in is the most helpful to you and your healthcare provider.

Your Body at 24 Weeks Pregnant

By the time you reach 24 weeks pregnant, you may have gained about 10 to 15 pounds, and your baby bump is still growing day by day. As your belly expands, you might want to wear a maternity belt or belly band to keep your abdomen well supported, especially when exercising while pregnant. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise will help you feel better both physically and emotionally during pregnancy. Plus, staying fit during pregnancy will make it easier to lose the weight you’ve gained later on, after your baby is born.

24 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 24 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Skin changes. Throughout your pregnancy, your skin may change or become irritated. At 24 weeks pregnant, you might notice the following skin changes:

  • Pigment changes. You might start noticing darker patches of skin on your body and face due to hormonal changes. This happens because the pigment-bearing cells called melanin are stimulated. The brown patches on your face are called chloasma, and the dark line down your abdomen is called the linea nigra. After your baby is born, these pigmented areas usually fade with time. Experts say that avoiding heavy sun exposure and using sunscreen can help reduce chloasma.

  • Stretch marks. As your body grows, you might also notice streaks where the skin stretches. Stretch marks during pregnancy are most likely to occur on areas like your belly, buttocks, and breasts. You can’t prevent stretch marks, but they can fade over time after the birth of your baby.

  • Itchy skin. You might also experience itchiness as your skin stretches; applying moisturizer might help reduce the itchy feeling.

• Round ligament pain. You might be experiencing pain on one or both sides of your abdomen or hip area. This could be round ligament pain, which is quite common during pregnancy. It happens because the ligaments holding your uterus in place become strained and stretched. Gently stretching and changing positions may help reduce the pain. If the pain ever gets too intense—or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever or bleeding—contact your healthcare provider for a checkup.

• Trouble sleeping. The size of your belly at 24 weeks pregnant might make it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Some well-placed pregnancy pillows can help! Try sleeping on your side with your knees bent and with one pillow between your legs and another one under your belly for support. Read more in our trimester by trimester guide to sleep.

• Loss of balance and dizziness. Your growing belly affects how your weight is distributed, making it a little easier to feel off balance. On top of this, changes in circulation can make you feel dizzy or light-headed. It may help to move slowly (particularly when you get up or change positions), drink lots of water, and stay cool. If you do feel dizzy, lie down on your side. If you’re concerned, ask your healthcare provider for advice.

• Leg cramps. Have you been experiencing painful calf or foot muscle contractions lately? It’s not unusual to feel this kind of cramping at 24 weeks pregnant. In fact, you might encounter this symptom from time to time right up until the day your baby is born. Although experts don’t know the exact cause of leg cramps during pregnancy, they do agree on what to do about them:

  • Stretch your calf muscles before you go to sleep at night

  • Stay physically fit through regular exercise

  • Drink plenty of water to help reduce cramping.

Download our guide to prenatal stretches for more on keeping your muscles supple during pregnancy.

24 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

As you reach 24 weeks pregnant, you may start to wonder what’s around the corner, if there’s anything particular you should know about this stage of pregnancy, or how to prepare for your baby’s arrival. Below you’ll find a few things to consider.

• Sex while pregnant. As your belly grows, you and your partner may be wondering whether sex is still safe. If your pregnancy is progressing normally, having sex is probably safe, but if your pregnancy has complications, your healthcare provider may recommend you abstain. Because everyone’s situation is unique, your provider is the best person to ask about your specific situation. Read up on sex during pregnancy for more information, and discuss your feelings with your partner, too. Keep in mind that during pregnancy, the sex drive of both you and your partner may vary.

• Glucose screening. A glucose screening test is usually done some time between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant. The test will help your healthcare provider assess your risk of gestational diabetes. Your provider will advise you if you need this test; to learn more, see our article on glucose screening and testing.

• Driving or riding in a car. As your belly gets larger, you'll need to make adjustments to your daily routine, such as how you can fasten your seatbelt to safely protect you and your baby. The lap strap of the seatbelt should go under your belly and rest snugly against your hip bones. Put the shoulder strap across the center of your chest rather than under your arm. Never cross any part of the seatbelt over your belly.

• Hydration. Staying hydrated is important. As a mom-to-be, you need plenty of water to stay healthy and support your growing baby. Experts recommend drinking 8 to 12 cups of fluid a day when you’re pregnant. If you tend to forget to drink during your busy day, you could

  • set a phone reminder every few hours, prompting you to drink water

  • download a hydration app that tracks your intake and reminds you to drink

  • set out full bottles of water at the start of each day and try to drink them all.

• Birth preferences. At 24 weeks pregnant, you’ve passed the halfway mark, so it might be a good idea to start discussing your preferences for childbirth with your healthcare provider and birth partner. Your birth partner could be your partner or another trusted friend or loved one. The more your provider and birth partner know about your personal preferences and the kind of birth you’d like to have, the better they can support you when the time comes. Your birth partner can support you by helping with certain comfort measures like massages and lots of encouragement and emotional support. There’s still lots of time to have these discussions and to write a birth plan, if you’d like to, but now is a good time to start having these conversations.

• Babyproofing. Although your baby’s arrival is still a few months away, and your baby being able to crawl and walk could be almost a year away, the second trimester is still a great time to start baby proofing. This is because you may still have a bit of energy, and once your baby has arrived, you’ll have lots of other things on your plate. Remember, while you can get some things out of the way now (like securing electric cables and adding child proof locks to low cupboards) baby proofing is an ongoing task and you’ll need to revisit it before your little one can crawl.

• Your subconscious. At 24 weeks pregnant, you may be experiencing some strange things that you can’t quite place. Perhaps you’re having crazy dreams, or maybe you’re struggling to stay focused when normally you’re on top of things. Read our articles on vivid pregnancy dreams and “pregnancy brain” to separate fact from fiction and find out why this may be happening.

24 Weeks Pregnant: Ask Your Healthcare Provider

At this point in your pregnancy, you may want to ask your healthcare provider a few questions. Remember, you are on this journey together, and your provider is there to support you. Consider the following questions, but feel free to ask more:

• Are there any pregnancy screenings or tests that you need to schedule during the rest of this trimester?

• Is it necessary to drink filtered tap water?

• Are there any foods to prioritize at 24 weeks pregnant? Any foods you need to avoid?

• Are there any vaccinations needed during pregnancy? When is the best time to have them?

• What help is available if you’re feeling down while pregnant?

24 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

Here’s a handy checklist for when you’re 24 weeks pregnant:

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24 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy

What's happening in my body?

You may start to feel really hungry, there is no need to eat any more until the 3rd trimester of your pregnancy (week 28 onwards). You're likely to be putting on weight, but do not worry if you can barely see your bump, as every pregnancy is different.

Alcohol

It can be hard to give up alcohol, but remember:

• alcohol goes to your baby
• the risks for your baby include miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, learning difficulties and behavioural problems

If you would like some help or advice, ask your midwife or doctor. Read NHS guidance about the effect of drinking alcohol while pregnant.

Have you had your jabs?

Have you had a whooping cough vaccination yet? It's usually offered to pregnant women between 16 and 32 weeks. Whooping cough can kill, and it's on the increase.

This free vaccination could protect your baby during the first few weeks of their life. Speak to your midwife or doctor about it. Read NHS guidance about the whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy.

2nd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 24 weeks)

Week by week, you may be developing various new symptoms. Around now, you could be getting pains around your ribs, back, breasts, bottom, stomach, etc. This is partly due to your pregnancy hormones loosening up your ligaments and muscles, and your growing baby pushing on various parts of your body.

This week, your signs of pregnancy could include:

• tiredness and sleeping problems (week 19 has information about feeling tired)
• stretch marks (read about stretch marks on week 17's page)
• swollen and bleeding gums (week 13 has information about gum health during pregnancy)
• pains on the side of your baby bump, caused by your expanding womb ("round ligament pains")
• piles (read about piles on week 22's page)
• headaches
• backache
• nosebleeds
• indigestion and heartburn (week 25 talks about digestive problems)
• bloating and constipation (read about bloating on week 16's page)
• leg cramps (week 20 explains how to deal with cramp)
• feeling hot
• dizziness
• swollen hands and feet
• urine infections
• vaginal infections (see week 15 for vaginal health)
• darkened skin on your face or brown patches - this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
• greasier, spotty skin
• thicker and shinier hair

You may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as:

• mood swings (week 8's page has information on mood swings)
• morning sickness (read about dealing with morning sickness on week 6's page)
• weird pregnancy cravings (read about pregnancy cravings on week 5's page)
• a heightened sense of smell
• sore or leaky breasts (read about breast pain on week 14's page) - a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)

Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.

What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or foetus, is around 30cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 600g. That's approximately the size of an ear of corn, and the weight of a big tub of low fat cottage cheese.

Everything is in proportion, but your baby is smaller than a baby who's been in the womb for longer.

If your baby was born now, there is a chance they will survive outside the womb. Baby units for premature babies (called “neonatal units”) can help them breathe, feed, keep warm and fight infections. Read NHS guidance about premature labour and birth.

Action stations

Have you thought about writing a birth plan yet? This sets out what you would ideally like to happen during the birth and after your baby is born. Find out how to make a birth plan and download a birth plan template. Talk to your partner, family, midwife or doctor.

This week you could also...

It's about time to break the news, if you haven't already. The latest you can leave it is 15 weeks before the baby is due, which is around now. As soon as you tell your employer, you will have maternity rights and can attend antenatal appointments during paid work time. You can also ask for a risk assessment of your work place.

It's a good time to tone up your pelvic floor muscles. Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze or cough. Get the muscles going by pretending that you're having a wee and then stopping midflow. Visit Tommy's for more ideas about pelvic floor exercises.

Ask your midwife or doctor about online antenatal classes – they may be able to recommend one. The charity Tommy's has lots of useful information on antenatal classes and preparing you for birth.

Even if you've had children before, they're still worth going to as you can meet other parents-to-be. The NCT offers online antenatal classes with small groups of people that live locally to you.

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March, you should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.

Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website. You just need 10 micrograms (it's the same for grown-ups and kids). Check if you're entitled to free vitamins.

It's recommended that you do 150 minutes of exercise a week while pregnant. You could start off with just 10 minutes of daily exercise - perhaps take a brisk walk outside. Check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut online exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section). Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.

There's no need to eat for 2. You don't need any extra calories until the third trimester, which starts in week 28. Try and eat healthily, with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid processed, fatty and salty foods. You may be able to get free milk, fruit and veg through the Healthy Start scheme.

How are you today? If you're feeling anxious or low, talk to your doctor or midwife who can point you in the right direction to get all the support you need. You could also discuss your worries with your partner, friends and family.

You may be worried about your relationship, or money, or having somewhere permanent to live. Don't keep it to yourself – it's important that you ask for help if you need it.

Getting pregnant again is probably the last thing on your mind right now. However now is a good time to start planning what type of contraception you would like to use after your baby is born. Getting pregnant again could happen sooner than you realise and too short a gap between babies is known to cause problems. Talk to your GP or midwife to help you decide.

You and your family should follow the government and NHS guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19):

To find out about about COVID-19 and pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, have a look at advice on the:

24th week of pregnancy - what is happening, the development of the fetus, sensations, what does the belly look like

WHAT IS HAPPENING

By the end of the 23rd - 24th week of pregnancy, the baby's body is rapidly approaching perfection. His face has acquired characteristic features and looks the way you will see him after childbirth. All organs and systems of the child are actively functioning. The bronchi are fully formed, and the lungs are covered with a film of surfactant (a mixture of surfactants) that will prevent them from drying out. By the 24th week of pregnancy, the sweat and sebaceous glands begin to work in the fetus.

YOUR WELL FEELING

You've put on even more weight and it's getting harder to breathe. At the 24th week of pregnancy, constipation, heartburn, night cramps in the lower extremities, and swelling may still bother you. Because of the large belly, it is difficult for you to move around, it is inconvenient to sleep and lace up your shoes yourself. You may also notice that you get tired quickly. Try to rest during the day, because further this feeling will only intensify.

At 23 to 24 weeks pregnant, many women experience Braxton Hicks training contractions. This is not dangerous at all: with the help of minor muscle contractions, the uterus prepares for the upcoming birth. When you feel contractions, lie down for half an hour and rest. If, after this, muscle contractions continue, moreover, with a certain frequency and the addition of other symptoms, this may be a premature birth. 24 weeks of pregnancy is the period when the baby is not yet ready to be born, so if you experience pain in the back and abdomen, spotting, strong pressure in the pelvis, you should call an ambulance!

Changes in your body can cause various pains. So, for example, at 24 weeks of pregnancy, pain in the back and lower back appears due to a shift in the center of gravity. One of the stages of preparation for childbirth is the “divergence” of the pelvic bones, so you may also feel discomfort in the sacrum.

Many expectant mothers by the 23rd - 24th week of pregnancy face all the troubles associated with hemorrhoids. At the first signs of illness, review your daily diet and include high-fiber foods and foods that have a laxative effect on the menu. Also try not to overcool and rest more often. In addition, rectal suppositories can be purchased at the pharmacy, but only after consulting a doctor.

RISK FACTORS

One of the dangers of the 24th week of pregnancy is diabetes, so it is very important for the expectant mother to know her blood sugar level. If it has increased slightly, this is considered normal, but its strong increase is a sign of gestational diabetes, which increases the risk of difficult childbirth, provokes overweight in the fetus and can cause a decrease in blood pressure in the newborn.

Premature birth is possible at 24 weeks of gestation. Their onset is accompanied by paroxysmal pains in the abdomen and pelvis, as well as tension and "petrification" of the uterus. At the same time, amniotic fluid may be discharged, sometimes brown mucous discharge or mixed with blood appears.

Another risk at the 23rd - 24th week of pregnancy is swelling, which can be one of the symptoms of preeclampsia. Outwardly, they are not immediately visible, so you need to carefully monitor your weight, try not to overeat, take vitamins recommended by your doctor, keep drinking and exercise.

MEDICAL SUPERVISION

Ultrasound examination at the 24th week of pregnancy is rarely done. It is prescribed only according to indications or if a screening ultrasound was missed. During the examination, the doctor determines the position of the fetus in the uterus, evaluates the correct development of the child's organs, the baby's motor activity and heartbeat, the condition and location of the placenta, the amount of amniotic fluid.

In addition, at 24 weeks of pregnancy, general tests may be prescribed. Typically, such studies are carried out with violations of the health of the expectant mother in order to check the number of red blood cells and white blood cells, sugar levels and the presence of protein in the urine.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 24TH WEEKS OF PREGNANCY

At the 23rd - 24th week of pregnancy, you need to carefully monitor your health, not only from a medical, but also from a psychological point of view. Try not to get nervous over trifles, because adrenaline attacks can harm the baby.

Now it is very important to keep active: if your health allows, walk more often, go in for swimming, yoga for pregnant women. At 24 weeks of pregnancy, sports for expectant mothers are allowed and even recommended! Systematic fitness classes normalize all the systems of your body, prepare it for the upcoming stresses in childbirth and ensure the successful development of the child. An excellent option is exercises with a fitball (aerobics with a large gymnastic ball): they will help unload the joints and spine, improve blood circulation in the placenta and normalize intestinal motility.

After 23-24 weeks of pregnancy, women often have trouble sleeping. To have a good rest, be sure to ventilate the bedroom at night. A special pillow for pregnant women will help you get comfortable in bed. A good remedy for night cramps in the legs is a massage with grape seed oil or wheat germ, and chamomile or mint tea with lemon will relieve heartburn.

Sixth month of pregnancy: changes in the female body and fetal development by week

Eating Right During Pregnancy

How to create a healthy diet for a pregnant woman, what vitamins should be present in the diet, how much liquid should be drunk, what drinks to prefer and what to avoid, what foods are considered harmful for pregnant women and how to keep weight under control while staying in a good mood.

Tests and examinations during pregnancy

Health and immunity during pregnancy

How does the immunity of a pregnant woman work, how to strengthen it, how to protect the baby from viruses.

Benefits of Vitamins and Minerals

Putting order in our knowledge about what vitamins and minerals and in what quantity are necessary for the health of the child, and what foods contain them.

Sports during pregnancy

What is the use of sports during the period of expectation of a baby and which sport to choose?

21-24 weeks of pregnancy

21st week of pregnancy

Baby development due to the lack of subcutaneous fat, the body is still very thin, and the head seems unnaturally large.

At the 21st week, the muscles and skeleton of the fetus are actively developing. The child constantly moves, carefully bends and unbends the limbs, due to its small size it can do somersaults, turns, change the position of its body several times a day, lie transversely in the uterus, turn up or down with its head.

At this stage, the baby hears well, not only distinguishes sharp sounds, but reacts to music, so the expectant mother can listen to classics or favorite songs, contribute to the development of the child. The development of the digestive system continues, taste buds are formed. The fetus is able to distinguish the taste of amniotic fluid.

Pregnant woman

Pregnant woman at 21 weeks feels normal. The expectant mother clearly feels the movements of the fetus; very often, the periods of sleep and activity of the child and the woman do not coincide, so pregnant women do not get enough sleep during this period, they wake up at night due to the intensive movements of the baby. Painful sensations at this time are quite rare, since the child does not have sufficient physical strength, and his movements do not differ in intensity.

A pregnant woman may put on weight as the baby grows, its muscle and fat mass increases. Expectant mothers eat with pleasure. Their appetite increases significantly, morning sickness and general malaise disappear.

At this time, the baby's skeleton is formed, for the development of which calcium is needed. Pregnant women should monitor their health, take calcium supplements as prescribed by a doctor, since if it is lacking, problems with teeth are possible. Calcium is washed out of the tissues, the teeth begin to hurt and crumble. It is important not only to consume vitamins, but also to carefully balance the diet, add calcium-rich cottage cheese, sour cream and other dairy products to the daily menu. The consumption of fish, cereals and legumes, vegetables will help to fill the calcium deficiency.

22nd week of pregnancy

Development of the child

The body length of the fetus reaches 28-30 centimeters, and its weight is approximately 500 g. The child more and more resembles a newborn, his head no longer looks so big, the length of the limbs increases. The kid no longer keeps his legs constantly bent, he periodically straightens them. Intensively increases the volume and mass of the child's brain.

The baby is in constant motion, he can move his fingers and toes, move his head to the right and left. The child knows how to suck his thumb, he tilts his head forward and accurately puts his finger in his mouth. Such actions indicate an increase in sensitivity and development of the vestibular apparatus, improved coordination; the child already feels the position of his own body in space.

The baby's brain at this time contains a complete set of neurons, the number of which does not change throughout a person's life. With age, only the re-formation of connections between cells and the improvement of the work of the human brain takes place.

Pregnant woman

At 22 weeks, the uterus of a pregnant woman is located 2 cm above the navel. The abdomen is not yet very large, but the internal organs are already beginning to shrink due to the accelerated growth of the uterus. A woman may experience some discomfort, pain between the lower ribs. In order not to suffer from pain, you must constantly monitor your posture, choose a comfortable chair with a solid back for work. Special exercises, periodic changes in body position, turns and inclinations will help to solve the problem. It is necessary to avoid sedentary work, take short breaks and fully relax.

The fundus of the uterus can press on the stomach, so a common problem at this time is a feeling of heaviness after eating and heartburn. The position of the stomach in pregnant women changes to a more horizontal one, the muscle relaxes, which closes the transition from the esophagus to the stomach, as a result of which the contents of the stomach fall back into the esophagus, irritate it, the woman feels a burning sensation and an unpleasant aftertaste. The reason for such changes is not only the pressure of the uterus on the stomach, but also a change in the hormonal background of a woman, an increase in the content of progesterone in the body. To get rid of heartburn, you need to chew food thoroughly, eat often, but in small portions. Do not eat before going to bed, as the food will not have time to be digested. If the symptoms worsen, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will prescribe the necessary medications and help the expectant mother balance her diet.

23rd week of pregnancy

Child development

The 23rd week is an intensive formation of the respiratory system. The fetus begins to gradually make respiratory movements. If earlier the respiratory movements were periodic, now their duration can reach up to 40 minutes. In a minute, the child takes up to 50-60 breaths. The development of the respiratory system does not stop at this time, a kind of breathing exercises continue until childbirth, the baby improves skills and prepares to breathe air.

When breathing in the womb, the baby swallows a small amount of amniotic fluid and then pushes it out. In this case, the epithelium is washed. When amniotic fluid is swallowed, part of it is absorbed by the blood vessels, and the original feces, that is, meconium, are formed from the remnants.

If the baby is very active and swallows water very intensively, diaphragm irritation and contractions, also called "fetal hiccups", may occur. These rhythmic movements are not abnormal; such hiccups pass in a few minutes, does not pose a threat to the expectant mother and child. If the contractions do not stop within a few hours, you should go to the hospital, as a more serious problem, including hypoxia, can be the cause of hiccups.

The 23rd week is an important stage in the intrauterine development of a person. It is at this time that the formation and improvement of the main components of the circulatory and immune systems, including the liver, lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow, continue. At this time, the thymus gland (or thymus) develops, which plays an important role in the functioning of the human endocrine system. It is in the thymus that lymphocytes mature. After a kind of "training" in the thymus, the cells enter the bloodstream and can resist infection, neutralize foreign cells in the body.

During pregnancy, the fetal immune system goes through several stages of formation and cannot provide full protection against diseases. The baby is protected by maternal antibodies, while its own immune system learns to recognize potential threats, remember bacteria and viruses, and defend itself against their harmful effects.

Pregnant woman

At 23 weeks' gestation, the uterus rises even higher and is located at a height of 4 cm from the woman's navel. The volume of the uterus increases significantly not only due to the growth of the child, but also due to an increase in the mass and volume of amniotic fluid and the placenta. At this time, the weight gain of a pregnant woman of 5-7 kg is optimal. The expectant mother should carefully monitor the daily diet, do not overeat, since excessive weight gain can pose a threat not only to her health, but also to the baby.

Intensive growth of the uterus causes a shift in the center of gravity. A woman becomes awkward, may feel discomfort in the joints and pain in the spine while walking or sitting for a long time. At this time, the doctor may recommend that a pregnant woman wear special supportive underwear made from natural materials or a bandage.

24th week of pregnancy

Child development

At 24 weeks of gestation, the baby continues to grow rapidly, he weighs already 600 g, and his height is approximately 33 cm. The fetus occupies the entire uterine cavity, so its movements become less impulsive, but more distinct; sharp movements are replaced by smaller ones. The baby can still radically change the position of his body, but prefers to sort out the umbilical cord, play with it, bend and unbend the arms and legs. The amount of muscle mass, namely the muscle fibers of the child, increases sharply. At this time, this indicator reaches its maximum. At later stages of pregnancy, the muscle mass of the fetus increases due to an increase in the volume of each muscle fiber.

This week the child's senses are improving. He knows how to distinguish tastes, hears perfectly and orients himself in space, the baby's skin has a high sensitivity. The fetal brain continues to develop, connections with the senses are formed, so the child's behavior is characterized by a high degree of complexity. Studies have shown that the child reacts to external stimuli: if a bright light hits his mother's stomach, he turns his head away, closes his eyes or covers his face with his hands. A woman should be calm and peaceful, because her fear, excitement is transmitted to the child, he begins to move intensively or freezes abruptly. The baby may react to harsh sounds, noise, or other stimuli.

Pregnant woman

The weight of the pregnant woman continues to increase, the increase this week is about 500 g. The belly is growing, the uterus is not only increasing in size, but also stretching. A woman may notice pain in the abdomen, but they do not differ in intensity and do not last long.

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