What's happening in week 24 of your pregnancy
You are 24 weeks into your pregnancy and your baby is now considered viable.
At a glance
- Your baby now has a chance of survival if they were born early
- You may feel unsteady on your feet with your growing bump
- Keep your teeth in top shape with free dental care
How big is my baby at 24 weeks?
Your baby will now be around a foot long, and the size of a papaya. They weigh around 1.3Lbs and will be gaining more every week. At 24 weeks into your pregnancy, your baby would be considered viable and with a chance of survival if they were born prematurely.
Have a look at our pages on
premature birth for more information about early babies.
There are some subtle changes also taking place within their body. Their little lungs are now maturing so they can breathe actual air rather than fluid, and the organs in their ears are starting to further develop so they can properly work out sounds – mainly your heartbeat and voice!
Their face will now be fully formed with eyelashes, eyebrows and hair. This will still be white due to lack of pigment, but will start to change colour soon.
Facts to know about your baby in week 24
- Your baby can hear your voice now, so be sure to chat and sing to them often
- Your baby's face will now be fully formed with eyelashes, eyebrows and hair
- Your body produces more mucus in pregnancy, which can result in a stuffy nose, sinusitis, and headaches
- Baby's little lungs are now maturing so they can breathe actual air rather than fluid
You at 24 weeks pregnant
You might be feeling more tired these days yet finding that no matter how tired you get, it may be difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.
So before you go to bed make sure you’re avoiding caffeine, and try to eat your evening meal a little earlier than usual. Use pillows to make yourself more comfortable.
Lie on your side and prop one in the small of your back, which you can lean into. Place another between your legs and one under your tummy to take the weight off your bump.
The charity Tommy's has launched a Sleep On Side pregnancy awareness campaign advising women to sleep on their side in late pregnancy as it can help reduce the risk of stillbirth.
Sleep position in the third trimester is important because if you are on your back the combined weight of baby and womb puts pressure on other organs in your body.
If you wake on your back, don't panic, just turn over onto your side. Other research shows that lying on your left may increase the flow of blood flow to your placenta, providing your baby with extra nutrients.
Your growing bump might continue to take you by surprise at this stage of pregnancy, and could occasionally leave you feeling a bit unsteady on your feet as your centre of gravity shifts! Take care as you get up and down from your chair or out of bed – try to avoid standing suddenly and getting that rush of blood to the head feeling.
Some women will experience some dental problems at this point in pregnancy, such as bleeding gums or sensitivity – make the most of your free dental care and have a check up to make sure all is well with your gnashers – there is no truth in the old wives' tale that you lose a tooth for every baby – if you take care of your pearly whites (lots of brushing, flossing and mouth wash!) they will withstand your pregnancy perfectly well!
Facts to know about you in week 24
- If your belly button is poking out, don't panic. The swelling uterus pushes it forward and it should return to normal after birth
- Keep your teeth in top shape with free dental care while you're pregnant
- At 25 weeks into your pregnancy, your baby has its own little routine going on in your womb!
Download our Bounty Pregnancy App for more useful advice and great offers!
What to think about in week 24
Buying for your baby is exciting, yet it can seem like there is a lot to get for someone so small, especially if it’s your first baby. Again, the key is in planning.
If you are starting to think about decorating your baby's nursery, it's very easy to be taken in by all the gorgeous nursery furniture and matching accessories – and they are beautiful if your budget and space allows, but don't agonise over your little one's room if you can't stretch to a complete make over.
Your baby will really need very little to start with – a cot or Moses basket, possibly a sturdy changing table and mat, and of course, clothes and a travel system.
Remember you have got an awful lot of time ahead of you to make their little space perfect and it will be constantly evolving as they grow, so don't put yourself under too much pressure to splash the cash or go DIY crazy!
Whether you have experienced hypnotherapy in the past or not, you may be interested in how hypnotherapy may be able to help you in your pregnancy.
Whether your baby’s nursery is well on its way or you’re only just starting to think about furniture and colours, one thing that is worth investing the time in to get right, is your baby’s cot mattress.
The mattress is actually one of the most important purchases you will make for your baby. There are cheaper versions and more expensive, prices start around £20 and go up into the hundreds. Although this sounds excessive, it’s worth spending that little extra on the mattress and perhaps cutting back on other things.
The baby safe sleep charity the Lullaby Trust always recommend using a firm, flat and waterproof mattress in good condition - and that fits the Moses basket or cot properly.
When you choose your baby’s cot, you’ll often find they are usually sold without a cot mattress, so you’ll need to buy one separately. Your baby’s spine and bones are growing super-fast, so it’s important to ensure their mattress is be supportive, allowing them to rest and grow - and earn you a few extra zzzs!
Depending on what symptoms of pregnancy you may be experiencing, there are a number of things hypnotherapy can help you with during pregnancy. It is used mainly to ease anxiety and relieve pain in childbirth. It’s also thought to help mums-to-be manage discomfort and in some cases even tackle postnatal depression.
It is important you choose a qualified hypnotherapist with a solid healthcare background, ideally someone who belongs to the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) or regulated by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).
Signs and symptoms at 24 weeks pregnant
Abdominal pain
Towards the end of your second trimester it’s common to experience round ligament pain, which in simple terms is stretching pains in the hip and below the belly due to the extra weight and pressure you’re now carrying. Your uterus is supported by thick bands of ligaments that run from the groin up the side of the abdomen. These thick bands of ligaments stretch and thin out to allow for the growing weight. As your uterus grows, a belly band or maternity belt can help distribute the weight to relieve this pressure and bring comfort. If you do to choose to try a maternity pregnancy support belt, you will find most have an elastic side panel to help you find comfort and is adjustable to accommodate your bump as it grows.
Backache
You may also find your back is also struggling to cope with your growing bump. Your spine isn't used to the excess weight you are now carrying and this also affects your usual posture which can lead to back pain. Pain in your back can be a mild ache but some suffer more with severe pain that can occur in any part of the back. If you are really suffering do talk to your doctor who may suggest paracetamol but many medications are not safe during pregnancy so make sure you take advice first.
Watch our videos below:
Video 1: Caesareans explained
Video 2: Getting ready for your baby's arrival
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