24 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby is busy growing and developing, and he’s beginning to look more like a real human being. While most of your symptoms have hopefully eased up a little, you might see new ones pop up in the near future. Let’s dive into what’s happening with you and your baby this week.

As of week 24, your baby is about the size of an ear of corn, measuring approximately 11–12 inches long and weighing somewhere in the vicinity of 1 to 1.3 pounds. 1

He’s now considered “viable,” meaning that he could survive with the right support if he were born early (although that isn’t something you should spend much time worrying about—preterm births are rare). 2

Here’s what’s going on with your little one:

• Facial features: Your baby’s face is really starting to take shape. His features are becoming clearer, with his eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair continuing to grow. While his hair doesn’t have any pigment yet, it will soon develop its natural color. 3
• Skin changes: His skin, while still thin, is less transparent and developing a pinkish hue as his capillaries form. Your baby is also plumping up with new fat deposits. 4
• Hearing: He can hear a variety of sounds, including your voice, your heartbeat, and even loud noises from the outside world. 5
• Startle reflex: He may now startle at loud noises, which is exactly as adorable as it sounds. 6
• Lung development: The lower airways of your baby’s lungs are forming, preparing for that first puff of air after birth. 6
• Taste buds: He’s continuing to develop taste buds. Some research suggests that the foods you eat while pregnant can affect your baby’s food preferences, too. 7 Better start eating plenty of broccoli now!
• Fingerprints and footprints: Those tiny hands and feet now have unique fingerprints and footprints. 8

As your baby grows, your body continues changing to accommodate him, too. This week, you may notice:

• Blurred vision: Hormonal changes can affect your tear production and cause fluid buildup in your eyes, leading to blurry vision. You don’t need a new prescription—your vision should return to normal after delivery. 9
• Swollen feet and ankles: You might notice swelling in your feet and ankles as you retain more fluid to support your expanding blood supply. 10
• Melasma: When you’re pregnant, your hormonal changes increase your melanin production. This means you might get dark patches of skin called melasma, or the mask of pregnancy. 11
• Linea nigra: You may see a dark line running down the center of your belly called the linea nigra. Again, this is due to your hormonal changes. 11
• Stretch marks: As your skin stretches, stretch marks might appear on your stomach, thighs, and breasts.

Your baby bump at 24 weeks

One look at your 24-week belly will prove beyond all doubt that you’re expecting. As your uterus grows and pushes on your abdomen, you may see your pregnant belly button “pop” out. If so, welcome to the “outie” club. This will typically return to normal after delivery.

While most pregnancy symptoms get lighter in the second trimester, that doesn’t mean it’s all smooth sailing from here. As your hormones continue to fluctuate, here’s what you might experience:

• Leg cramps: You might have leg cramps at 24 weeks. These often strike at night, which, of course, is the last thing you need if you’re struggling to get comfy. Hopefully, they’ll be relatively infrequent. 12
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: You might get tingling, numbness, or pain in your wrists and fingers due to fluid buildup. 13
• Itchy palms: You may notice that your palms (and possibly the soles of your feet) are red and itchy. It’s important to mention this to your doctor to rule out cholestasis of pregnancy, a rare complication.
• Constipation: Your boosted hormones may slow down your digestive system, making you constipated (and potentially gassy and bloated, too). 14
• Lower abdominal aches: It’s normal to feel achy in your lower abdomen as your uterus expands and the ligaments supporting it stretch.
• Shortness of breath: This symptom may develop as your uterus grows and puts pressure on your diaphragm. 15
• Migraines: Some women experience severe headaches or migraines in the second trimester, often accompanied by nausea or vision changes. 16 Although this is relatively common, it can also be a sign of serious conditions (discussed below), so you should tell your doctor about it.
• Increased appetite: If you want to snack all the time, join the club. It’s common to feel hungrier during your second trimester, as your body needs more calories and nutrients than ever to support your little one.
• Mood swings: While many women find their mood swings have subsided by this point, you might still get them during the second trimester, as your hormones are still very much in flux.

When to speak with your doctor

Most of those symptoms are harmless and don’t indicate any complications. That being said, keep an eye on your symptoms by using a pregnancy tracker, and be aware of those that do need medical attention.

If you notice any of the following, try not to panic. They might not necessarily be anything to worry about, but you should still get to your doctor straight away.

Common symptoms of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia causes high blood pressure in pregnant and postpartum women. It can be a serious (and potentially life-threatening) pregnancy complication. Look out for signs such as: 17

• Bleeding
• Severe swelling of the face, hands, or feet
• Dizziness
• Pain in the upper abdomen

Common symptoms of preterm labor

Preterm labor is defined as going into labor before week 37. Watch out for: 18

• Unusual pregnancy discharge (e.g., foul-smelling discharge that’s accompanied by heavy bleeding)
• Abdominal cramping
• Pelvic pressure
• Leaking amniotic fluid (this is usually clear and odorless, but it may have traces of blood in it)

You’ve made great progress and are now just about two-thirds of the way into your pregnancy. If those troubling symptoms are still bothering you, here are some ways to manage your discomfort and look after yourself:

Eat well

While it’s OK to give in to your cravings occasionally, make sure you’re eating well, both for your own sake and your baby’s. Eat a balanced pregnancy diet that includes plenty of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and complex carbs. You should also keep healthy pregnancy snacks around if you find yourself craving junk food.

If you’re strapped for time, why not consider meal prep? Stock up your refrigerator with healthy meals, or ask your partner or family to help you out.

Stay hydrated

As well as being mindful of your diet, you’ve got to make sure you’re drinking enough water. Staying hydrated can also help alleviate cramping and constipation.

Look after your skin

If you like to take care of your skin with moisturizers and lotions, be mindful of your skincare products. Avoid retinol, and limit salicylic acid and alpha hydroxy acids.

Remember to always wear sunscreen. Your skin is extra sensitive when you’re pregnant, so opt for higher-factor sunscreens.

Get moving

If you’ve got that extra energy characteristic of the second trimester, engage in light to moderate exercise. Regular exercise and stretching can alleviate cramping, swelling, and back pain.

Walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga are all great ways to keep fit. Just be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new routines.

Look after your teeth

Remember to maintain good dental health by brushing and flossing regularly. There’s a link between good oral hygiene and healthy pregnancies. 19 Also, when you’re pregnant, you may be unusually prone to dental issues due to the increased blood flow to your teeth and gums.

Prioritize your comfort

If swelling in your legs and ankles is getting you down, try resting with your feet elevated above your heart level to reduce it.

For red and itchy palms, you can soak your hands and feet in cold water or apply an ice pack. Avoid overly hot showers or baths; those can elevate your body temperature, which is associated with pregnancy complications. (Also, due to the dilated blood vessels that pregnancy causes, excessive heat can trigger fainting.) 20

To combat carpal tunnel, try propping up your arms with a pillow at night, taking breaks if you are doing repetitive motions, or wearing a wrist brace.

Sleep on your side

Sleeping comfortably can be challenging for many expectant mothers. You’ll need to avoid the wrong sleeping positions during pregnancy (i.e., lying flat on your back).

Most doctors recommend sleeping on your side, especially once you get into the third trimester. If you wake up in the night on your back, don’t worry; just roll back onto your side.

You can also try sleeping with a pillow between your legs if that helps you stay in the right position. 21

As you get closer and closer to the big day, you’ll need to start making preparations, including:

Glucose screening

Most women have a glucose screening between 25 and 29 weeks to check for gestational diabetes. In the test, you’ll drink a sugary liquid, then have a blood test to see how your body processes sugar. If the results are abnormal, you might need a follow-up glucose tolerance test. 22

Knowing the signs of preterm labor

Be aware of the telltale signs of preterm labor, and contact your doctor straight away if you experience: 23

• Contractions that happen four or more times an hour
• Unusual discharge (i.e., discharge that is mucousy, watery, or bloody)
• Vaginal bleeding
• Abdominal cramping
• Pelvic pressure
• Low back pain
• Leaking amniotic fluid (the clear, sweet-smelling liquid that surrounds your baby)

Baby-proofing your home

It’s no secret that babies aren’t very cautious, so you’ll need to start thinking about how to baby-proof your home. Install safety locks on cabinets and secure furniture to prevent tip-overs.

Cord blood banking

Cord blood banking involves collecting the blood from your baby’s umbilical cord after birth and storing it. This blood is full of stem cells, so if you donate it, it can be used for stem cell transplants. If you’re considering cord blood banking, now’s the time to make arrangements.

Choose a pediatrician

Now’s a good time to start interviewing pediatricians for your future baby. Choosing the right pediatrician is always a personal decision, but consider asking about their appointment availability and hospital affiliations—practicality matters, too.

Decide if you want a doula

If you are considering using a doula for support during labor and delivery, now is the time to research this option and find the right doula for you. You can reach out to family and friends or try looking on the DONA International site to find a doula near you.

Welcome to the 6-month point of your pregnancy! Take time to celebrate all the hard work you and your body have gone through. While you should get plenty of rest when you need it, put that extra energy to good use before you start feeling more tired in the third trimester.

Try to take a babymoon while you can still travel fairly easily and set aside some time to do activities you enjoy. If you have any questions or concerns, your doctor is always on hand to help you. You’ve done great so far—keep going!