24 Weeks Pregnant

What Happens During the Twenty-Fourth Week of Pregnancy?

When you have stepped into this crucial stage of pregnancy, several changes continue to happen. It ranges from fluctuations in your pregnancy hormone to developments happening to your little one. Here, we will take a deeper dive into these kinds of changes taking place in you and your baby.

Hormonal Changes and Pregnancy Symptoms

During this time, you might notice pains in different body parts. They include ribs, stomach, breasts, and almost every other body part. It is because your ligaments get loosened due to the pregnancy hormones. Another factor is your baby pushing from your belly as it grows.

From this week, there will be hormonal changes, and some of them start increasing. One such hormone is adiponectin, which comes with several benefits to your well-being. It helps with regulating your little one's growth and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Besides, there will be an increase in your vaginal discharge, which will lead to discomfort. Even though there will be an increase, it shouldn't have any foul smell or other color shades, like brown, green, or red. Under such circumstances, you can seek professional help and ensure there are no complications involved.

Another common condition is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which results in a tingling sensation in your joints. It is due to an increase in fluid build-up in your joints, which can cause compression of the median nerve. Since there will be an increase in blood pressure, especially in the blood vessels, it can result in piles or hemorrhoids. It is also a condition that affects most women during their pregnancy.

Bodily Changes

When you are in this stage of pregnancy, bodily changes continue to happen. Due to this, you will notice an increase in your body weight, and it will be a rise of around six to seven kgs. At this time, your uterus would measure 24 cm. However, it depends upon the number of children you are carrying as well.

Besides, there will be a decrease in the different pregnancy symptoms you had, including morning sicknesses. Some of you might have abdominal pain, which will feel similar to menstrual cramps. Other than this region, you will notice pressure in the pelvis and joints.

As in the previous weeks, there is a high chance of having Braxton Hicks Contractions during this week. It is a false contraction that makes you feel like you are in labor. However, it is common and can happen to most of you during these weeks of pregnancy.

You might get stretch marks while pregnant, and the chances are high if your mother had them. You might even have itchiness on your stretch marks, which is also pretty natural.

Besides, if your belly is bigger than it has to be, the reason could be an increase in amniotic fluid. If the stretch marks continue to increase and your belly grows further as you step into the coming months, it is best to speak with your doctor. Here, your doctor will recommend you to have an ultrasound to find out if there are any issues or complications.

Besides these concerns, you might even have issues related to heartburn and indigestion. Under these conditions, it is best to stick to a healthy diet and avoid having processed food items in your diet.

Fetal Development

When you are in the 24th week of pregnancy, your baby will be 29 cm long and weighs around 0.59 kg. At this time, your little one will have the same size as it will be during birth. Other bodily changes are happening to your baby, and one of them is with the skin.

Here, your baby's skin will turn reddish or pink, which is the first step leading to your skin taking the form of regular skin. Nipple formation will take place during this stage of pregnancy.

When we consider the internal changes happening this week, blood vessels will be developing in your baby. The organs in your little one will start responding to the Central Nervous System. Besides, your little one's taste buds will be developing, and other internal organs will start functioning.

Similar to the previous weeks, your baby will be responding to the sounds heard from outside. If you start talking to your baby, your little one will recognize your sound after birth as well. When it comes to your baby's heart rate, it will be between 120 to 160 bpm.

Apart from that, there will be an increase in your baby's weight, which will continue to happen over time. It is because of the fatty supply taking place during this time of pregnancy. These are the developments in your baby when you are 24 weeks into pregnancy.

Tips to Take Care of Yourself During the Twenty Fourth Week

Pregnancy can offer you a variety of emotions as several changes are happening to you. When you step into the sixth month of pregnancy, you have been halfway through your journey. However, even then, you have to focus on your well-being as it is a crucial stage of your pregnancy.

Here, we will look into some tips that can help you during the 24th week of pregnancy. Remember that every week and day is significant in this exciting journey. Thus, you have to ensure that you take good care of yourself and your little one.

Having a Healthy Diet

While you are pregnant, your health has to be your priority. As part of taking care of your well-being, ensure that you maintain a balanced diet. Here, there are chances of having gestational diabetes because of the increase in blood sugar levels.

Under such conditions, you have to modify your diet and ensure that you have food items that maintain your blood sugar level. Here, you have to avoid processed food items and other high-calorie products.

As part of eating healthy, you must have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Other than that, you have to include fluids in your diet. Here, you can have smoothies, fresh juices, and soups. Along with that, you must drink eight to ten glasses of water to stay hydrated.

Take Care of Your Physical Health

When you take part in any form of exercise, you have to ensure that they are safe for you to perform during this time. Speaking with your doctor or joining a pregnancy-based exercise class can be beneficial for you.

Through this, you can understand the workouts suitable for you when you are 24 weeks pregnant. However, some exercises like walking, prenatal yoga, and pilates can be safe for you. But, it is always best to cross-check with your medical practitioner before you kick start anything new.

Enhance Your Mental Well-being

Only a very few people are aware of the significance of mental health. Most people take their mental well-being for granted, which can be a concern. While you are pregnant, you have to pay special attention to your mental well-being.

For that purpose, you can take up activities like meditation and journaling. They can assist you in enhancing your psychological health. In case of an increase in your stress and anxiety levels, you can seek help from a medical professional.

Some women slip into depression, insomnia, and other sleep-related issues during their pregnancy. If you are someone who had mental health concerns beforehand, you have to continue taking care of your well-being.

Speak with Your Doctor

When you are 24 weeks pregnant, you have to speak with your doctor in case of any complications. You also have to ensure that you go on your routine checkups and keep your doctor updated on your health conditions. Besides, you have to inform your midwife or OB-GYN about these factors. They include: