Pregnancy week 24 movement
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:
Take our quiz to discover your perfect nursery style!
Babies Movements During Pregnancy: What’s Normal?
Regular kicks, twists, punches, and cartwheels from your baby are common and important to be aware of. Some days, you may feel like you’re carrying an Olympic gymnast and others you may feel like you are carrying a leisurely swimmer! Now is the time to become familiar with your baby’s movements because those movements can help indicate different stages of your pregnancy and your baby's health.
If you have friends who are pregnant or who recently had a baby, it can even be fun to talk about your babies' moves and dances. Just remember, every pregnancy is different and every baby is unique, so each baby will dance inside their mom differently.
Why Do Babies Move in the Womb?
We all need exercise and your little one is no different! Here are a few reasons why it is imperative to be familiar with your baby's movements:
Your tiny dancer might move as a response to stimuli such as your voice, exercise, or a spike or drop in your blood sugar.
As your baby’s brain continues to develop, activity in the brain may also stimulate movement. If there is a lack of oxygen, that can negatively impact your baby and might result in a marked decrease or cessation of your baby's movements. A doctor should be consulted immediately if there is a marked decrease.
Your little one needs exercise, just like you, to help their bones and muscles develop
Remember, your baby needs sleep and rest to grow strong and healthy so there will be periods when there’s no movement.
That’s common and nothing to be worried about. You should still work to familiarize yourself with your baby's patterns so you can recognize changes in how often he or she is active.
Baby Movement Milestones
Let’s talk about milestones. The following are common movement patterns you’ll probably notice as your pregnancy progresses:
At 8 Weeks
With a developing nervous system, and developed legs, fingers, toes, bones, and muscles your baby may begin to move, however you will not feel any movements until later into the pregnancy.
At 16 Weeks
First-time moms may not feel anything between 16 and 20 weeks but this is normal. If you have been pregnant previously, this is when you might begin to feel a periodic butterfly sensation.
At 24 Weeks
Your baby's movements will be more noticeable around 24 weeks. The movements will still be sporadic, but with less wiggle space, you will feel the cartwheels and kicks more. Your baby’s auditory system is now developed, so you can play music for your little one to dance to.
At 28 Weeks
This is the point when your doctor will likely suggest counting kicks. This is also the point when your little one begins dreaming as they experience REM sleep. REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement and this is the phase of sleep when most people experience dreams. If you experience phases of little movement, don’t worry your baby is just resting.
Counting Kicks
Your doctor may give you a chart to help you track your baby’s movements, but don’t stress so much over counting the kicks that you miss out on enjoying your baby’s movements. Remember this is a miracle that a tiny human is moving inside of you! Track how many movements you feel in a given period of time so you can be aware of dramatic changes that might indicate a red flag.
Once you notice a pattern, document the time of the first movement in your baby’s active session. Set a timer for two hours and within that time you can expect to feel at least 10 large movements.
Tip: Consult your doctor on whether or not they recommend counting kicks.
Ask specifically if you have a high-risk condition that makes them recommend kick counts. A low risk pregnancy does not usually require specific kick counting rather it suggests a general awareness of your baby’s movements.
Decreased Fetal Movement
If this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel movement until closer to 25 weeks, but it’s important to be familiar with your baby’s patterns once they start moving around. Noticing a change in movement, which could be the result of a complication, can save your baby’s life. If you notice a decrease in movements or strength of kicks you should contact your OB/GYN or midwife right away. Abnormal movements may be the result of complications such as issues with the placenta, your uterus, or the umbilical cord.
Your doctor may perform a non-stress test which monitors the heart rate over a period of time, or a biophysical profile, which looks directly at movement and amniotic fluid levels with an ultrasound. If you are nervous, you can try some methods to get your little one moving: try eating or drinking something sweet or cold, go on a walk, gently push on your tummy to wake up your baby, or try talking to them—at this point they can recognize your voice.
Don’t Forget
Your own activity level has patterns, and may vary depending on the day. Remember that your activity level isn’t the same as your mom’s, neighbors', or friends', so your baby’s activity level is not going to be the exact same as another baby’s either.
Keep an eye on trends. If counting kicks causes too much anxiety, just look for patterns and count every once in a while. Make sure your baby is getting enough exercise to grow healthy and strong. If you notice a dramatic decline in movement or if you notice your baby is generally not moving a lot, call your doctor. Trust your gut and your maternal instincts.
Enjoy the miracle of feeling another human kick and dance inside your tummy! There’s nothing like it.
Fetal movement - how and when does it occur
- At what time does fetal movement begin
- Fetal movement rate
- Methods for assessing the "sufficiency" of fetal movements
- Changes in fetal activity
- Determination of the condition of the fetus
“Dear patients, we are glad to welcome you to the website of the Fetal Medicine Center – a medical center of expert level in the field of modern prenatal medicine.
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We see our mission in making the expectation of a child and its birth a happy, calm and most comfortable period for every woman. By providing professional medical support, we help couples plan pregnancy, control its harmonious course, conduct expert-level prenatal diagnostics, providing comprehensive care for the health of the expectant mother and baby.”
Roza Saidovna Bataeva
Head of the Fetal Medicine Center in Moscow
From the very beginning of pregnancy, every expectant mother begins to listen carefully to the sensations inside her growing belly. Can't wait to feel your baby move. When does the fetus begin to move? At what time can a pregnant woman begin to listen carefully to herself, waiting for the first movements of her child? Should I be worried if they are not felt or the baby suddenly calmed down? And can movements carry any other information, besides communicating with mom? nine0018
At what time does the fetal movement begin
The first movements of the future baby begin early - already at 7-8 weeks of pregnancy .
It was at this time that the first muscles and the rudiments of the nervous system of the fetus are formed. Naturally, at this time, the movements of the embryo are still very primitive - these are muscle contractions in response to nerve impulses.
Approximately from 10 weeks of pregnancy the fetus begins to move more actively in the uterus, and, encountering an obstacle on its way (walls of the uterus), change the trajectory of movements. However, the baby is still very small and the impacts on the uterine wall are very weak, the expectant mother cannot yet feel them. At 11-12 weeks of intrauterine life, a little man already knows how to clench his fists, grimace, frown, by 16 weeks of pregnancy he begins to react to loud, sharp sounds with increased motor activity, at 17 weeks the first facial expressions appear, and at 18 weeks he covers his face with his hands and plays with the umbilical cord, compresses and unclenches the fingers of the hands. nine0003
Gradually, with increasing gestational age, movements become more coordinated and more like conscious.
When the baby grows up, the pregnant woman begins to feel his movements.
When does the fetal movement begin during the first and subsequent pregnancies
It is generally accepted that during the first pregnancy, the expectant mother feels the first fetal movements at 20 weeks of pregnancy, with repeated pregnancies - at 18 weeks. This is not entirely true. A mother who is expecting her first child, indeed, most often begins to feel the movements of the fetus a little later than a multiparous woman. This is due to the fact that "experienced" mothers know how the movements of the crumbs are felt at first and what they should feel. Some primigravidas perceive the first movements of the fetus as an increase in intestinal peristalsis, “gaziki”. Many women describe the first movements of the fetus as a feeling of fluid transfusion in the abdomen, "fluttering butterflies" or "swimming fish." nine0003
The first movements are usually rare and irregular. The time of the first sensations of fetal movements naturally depends on the individual sensitivity of the woman.
Some future mothers feel the first movements as early as 15-16 weeks, and someone only after 20. Slender women, as a rule, begin to feel movements earlier than full ones. Women who lead an active lifestyle, work hard, usually feel the movements of the fetus later.
By 20 weeks, due to the formation of the spinal cord and brain, as well as the accumulation of a certain amount of muscle mass in the fetus, movements become more regular and noticeable .
From 24 weeks of pregnancy, the movements of the fetus are already reminiscent of the movements of a newborn - the expectant mother feels how the fetus changes position, moves its arms and legs. The motor activity of the fetus increases gradually and its peak falls on the period from the 24th to the 32nd week of pregnancy. At this time, the activity of the baby's movements becomes one of the indicators of its normal development. After 24 weeks, the child begins to "communicate" with the mother with the help of movements, respond to the sounds of voice, music, and the emotional state of the mother.
With an increase in the gestational age of more than 32 weeks, the motor activity of the fetus gradually decreases due to the fact that the baby is growing up and he simply does not have enough space for active movements. This becomes especially noticeable at the time of childbirth. By the end of the third trimester of pregnancy, the number of fetal movements may decrease somewhat, but their intensity and strength remain the same or increase. nine0003
Fetal movement rate
The baby in the mother's belly moves almost constantly. At the 20th week of pregnancy, the fetus makes about 200 movements per day, and between the 28th and 32nd weeks, the number of movements reaches 600 per day. Naturally, a pregnant woman does not feel all the movements of the fetus, but only a small part of them. So, after 28 weeks, the frequency of fetal movement, according to the sensations of a woman, is usually 4 to 8 times per hour, with the exception of periods of fetal sleep (3-4 hours in a row).
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In the third trimester, a pregnant woman may notice that her baby has regular sleep and wake cycles. Children are usually most active from 19:00 to 4:00 in the morning, and the period of "rest" occurs more often from 4 to 9:00 in the morning. Of course, the movements of the fetus depend on the mood of the mother, if the mother is worried or happy, the baby can move more actively, or vice versa, calm down. The fact is that when a mother rejoices, her body significantly increases the amount of hormones of joy - endorphins, which regulate the work of the heart and blood vessels, including the vessels of the placenta. During stress or pronounced negative emotions, biologically active substances are also produced - stress hormones, they also affect the work of the heart and blood vessels. It is thanks to this biological interaction between the organisms of mother and baby that the fetus feels the state of the mother. When the expectant mother is resting, the baby usually becomes more active, if the pregnant woman is active, busy with some kind of work, the child most often calms down.
The movements also change depending on the satiety of the expectant mother. Usually the baby begins to move actively after the mother eats, especially something sweet. At the same time, the level of glucose in the blood increases sharply, which causes the fetus to be more active. nine0003
Fetal movements are the language in which the unborn child speaks to the mother. Naturally, a pregnant woman should listen to the movements, because in some cases, changes in the movements of the fetus may indicate a violation of its intrauterine state and a not entirely successful pregnancy.
If, after 20 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother does not feel the movement of the fetus, it may be worthwhile to see a doctor and make sure that everything is in order with the baby.
Methods for assessing the "sufficiency" of fetal movements
Counting the number of movements
The easiest way to assess fetal movements is to count the number of movements of the pregnant woman herself.
Self-assessment methods are very easy to use, do not require additional equipment, the presence of a doctor and are easily reproducible by any woman. Their disadvantages are that each woman has different thresholds of susceptibility.
Count to ten
The most common method for assessing fetal movements is called count to ten . It can be carried out after 28 weeks of pregnancy, when the fetus is mature enough for active movements. Its essence lies in the fact that the expectant mother counts the movements of the fetus for a 12-hour time interval, for example, from 9 am to 9 pm. The time when a pregnant woman catches the tenth movement is recorded on a tablet. If the fetus makes less than 10 movements in 12 hours, this is a reason to consult a doctor for an additional examination.
Sadowski Method
In the evening after dinneruntil 11 p.m.), the woman lies on her left side and counts the movements of the fetus. At the same time, everything is considered, even the smallest movements.
If 10 or more movements are noted within an hour, this indicates that the baby is moving quite actively and feels good. If the fetus moved less than 10 times in an hour, then the movements are counted for the next hour. Evening time for this assessment method was not chosen by chance. It is in the evening hours, especially after dinner and the associated increase in glucose, that the greatest activity of the fetus is noted. If the number of fetal movements during this test is less than 10 per two hours, this should be considered as a sign of a violation of his condition and additional studies should be carried out. nine0003
For an obstetrician-gynecologist, fetal movements are also an important diagnostic criterion for some deviations in the course of pregnancy from the norm. Too active, violent, painful fetal movement or weak, rare movements may indicate its unfavorable condition.
Changes in fetal activity
Changes in fetal activity may be associated with external influences.
For example, if a pregnant woman lies on her back for a long time, then the enlarged uterus compresses a large vessel - the inferior vena cava, the blood flow to the fetus is disrupted, which immediately causes its violent reaction - active movements. The same changes in the activity of the baby can occur in any other uncomfortable position of the mother - if she leans forward, squeezing her stomach, sits with her legs crossed, the child forces her mother to change her position with her activity. A similar situation occurs if the baby himself squeezes or presses the loops of the umbilical cord, limiting the flow of blood through it. He begins to move more actively, changes his position and relieves pressure on the umbilical cord. However, in some cases, an increase or vice versa, a subsidence of fetal movements can be a sign of a serious pathology. nine0003
After 28 weeks of pregnancy, if your baby does not let you know for 3-4 hours, he may just be sleeping. In this case, the expectant mother needs to eat something sweet and lie down on her left side for half an hour.
If these simple manipulations do not lead to a result, it is worth repeating them again after 2-3 hours. If this time the baby does not make itself felt, this is an occasion to consult a doctor. Rare and weak movements can also indicate a fetal problem, most often a lack of oxygen for the baby, that is, fetal hypoxia. nine0003
Determining the condition of the fetus
To determine the condition of the fetus, the doctor conducts a series of examinations:
Auscultation (listening)
The simplest is auscultation (listening) using a special wooden tube (obstetric stethoscope) or a special device that captures the fetal heartbeat, doctor listens to the baby's heartbeat. Normally, it is about 120-160 beats per minute. A decrease in heart rate less than 120 or an increase of more than 160 indicates intrauterine suffering of the child. nine0003
Ultrasound and dopplerometry
During ultrasound, the doctor visually assesses the size of the fetus, the correspondence of the development of the fetus to the gestational age, because with oxygen starvation, the growth rate of the fetus slows down and its size lags behind the norm for each period of pregnancy.
Also important is the structure of the placenta, the presence of signs of aging in it, as a result of which the function of transferring blood, oxygen and nutrients to the fetus usually worsens. During ultrasound, the amount and type of amniotic fluid is assessed, which can also change with intrauterine fetal suffering. Dopplerometry of the vessels of the placenta and umbilical cord is a method for studying blood flow velocities in these vessels. With a decrease in the speed of blood flow in any vessel, one can speak of fetal malnutrition of varying severity. nine0003
Learn more about the services:
- Pregnancy ultrasound
- Ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy
- Make KTG
- Perform fetal echocardiography
Cardiotocography (CTG)
This is an important method for assessing the condition of the fetus. CTG is performed at a gestational age of 33 weeks or more, since only in this period of intrauterine development of the baby is a full-fledged regulation of the activity of the cardiovascular system of the fetus by the centers of the spinal cord and brain.
Recording of fetal heartbeats is carried out for at least 40 minutes, and if necessary, the study can be extended up to one and a half hours. The device registers and records the baby's heart rate. For example, with a decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the blood of the fetus, the supply of oxygen to the cells of the nervous system decreases, which in turn affects the heart rate, especially during the period of wakefulness of the child. The obstetrician-gynecologist evaluates the heartbeat recording curve, episodes of slowing down and a sharp increase in the fetal heart rate, and based on these data, makes a conclusion about how comfortable the baby feels in the mother's stomach. nine0003
If during additional methods for assessing the condition of the fetus, initial disturbances in the supply of oxygen to the baby are detected, drug treatment is carried out aimed at increasing the access of blood and oxygen through the placenta and mandatory control examinations against the background of ongoing therapy.
If the changes are deep and the baby experiences a pronounced deficiency of oxygen and nutrients, his condition suffers, an emergency delivery of such a patient is performed.
Fetal movements are not only an indicator of his condition, it is a way of communication between the baby and parents. The movements of the crumbs in the mother's tummy are unforgettable sensations that a woman can experience only in this short, but such a happy period of her life. nine0003
Center for Fetal Medicine in Moscow:
The main activities of our center are the early detection of congenital malformations in the fetus, prenatal screening for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, as well as pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, fetal growth retardation and threatened abortion.
Our center is organized in such a way that the whole range of services is concentrated in one place, where a woman receives the results of various types of examinations, including ultrasound, biochemical, and specialist consultation within 1-1.
5 hours. In the presence of a high risk for chromosomal diseases in the fetus, invasive diagnostics and genetics consultation are carried out here in the center. nine0003
Fetal echocardiography is given special attention in our center, since congenital heart defects in the fetus are increasingly common today, but, unfortunately, are often missed during ultrasound during pregnancy.
In view of the ever-increasing number of multiple pregnancies, which requires more time and a special approach, the observation of women with multiple pregnancies has been allocated to us in a separate clinic for multiple pregnancies.
All examinations in the center are carried out according to the international standards FMF (Fetal Medicine Foundation) and ISUOG (International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology). In complex clinical cases, we can consult with specialists from King's College Hospital, King's College Hospital (London, UK). nine0003
The team is a special pride of the center.
Our doctors are not only one of the leading specialists, professors, doctors and candidates of medical sciences, doctors of the highest categories, they are also a team of like-minded people and real enthusiasts in their field. All ultrasound diagnostic doctors in our center have international FMF certificates. Having extensive experience in prenatal diagnostics, we share our knowledge with our colleagues by conducting training courses.
The Center is equipped with the most modern diagnostic equipment: these are the latest generation ultrasound machines, GE Voluson E8 Expert, with a complete set of modern technologies, including three-dimensional ones, this is a biochemical analyzer, Delfia Xpress, these are workplaces with professional computer programs. nine0003
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 this time, the formation of eyelashes and eyebrows takes place, the baby learns to blink, and his skin gradually acquires a flesh color, thickens, constrictions appear on it.
nine0003 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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
22nd week of pregnancy
Child development
The body length of the fetus reaches 28-30 cm 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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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.
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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.
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This week the child's senses are being improved. 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. nine0003
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.
