Welcome to week 24 of your pregnancy! This week, your baby is as big as a cantaloupe. Here’s what else you can expect this week.
Your baby
At 24 weeks, your baby is around the size of a cantaloupe, weighing approximately 600 grams. Their features continue to develop, and their eyes, once fused shut, are now pretty much capable of blinking. Your baby’s tiny lungs are gearing up for breathing, practising inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. The fine, downy hair known as lanugo covers their body, helping to regulate their temperature and they can hear sounds from the outside world. Now’s the time to set their music taste in motion: You’ve better access to their tiny ears than anyone else!
You
Week 24 and you’re rolling right along. Your bump is entering rooms before you do, and you might even feel a little more connected to your baby as the kicks and movements become stronger. You might be experiencing a mix of emotions, from excitement to a touch of nervousness – it’s all part of the process. Your appetite could be increasing, which is perfectly normal, so go ahead and enjoy those extra snacks. Stay hydrated too. Fuel that little roommate you’re growing!
Unfortunately the relaxation of muscles in the urinary tract has also made urinary tract infections more likely. UTIs in pregnancy need to be treated so always tell you midwife and doctor if you’re feeling unwell or if it burns when you pee. Urine tests at every antenatal visit help spot UTIs and other pregnancy-related conditions including pre-eclampsia.
More: 10 Gender-Neutral Nurseries You Will LOVE
Anything else?
At this point, you might start trying to keep an eye on baby’s movements. If you’re ever worried about what rate they should be moving at, we’ve got a piece on that HERE. But truly, the answer depends on several different factors, including the position of your placenta and whether this is your first pregnancy. It’s possible that you haven’t felt baby move yet, and that’s fine too, so don’t worry.
READ MORE
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- 27 weeks pregnant: Week-by-week guide to development and symptoms
- 28 weeks pregnant: Week-by-week guide to development and symptoms
