24 Weeks Pregnant
At 24 weeks pregnant, you’ve almost completed your second trimester and you’re soon to enter into your third. Congratulations – you’re over half-way there. Now you’ve come this far, no doubt you’ll be just as interested in what’s happening to you and baby right now – as you have been in the previous 23 weeks.
Having reached the 24 weeks pregnant stage, and knowing you’re over the half-way mark, how do you feel? Great? Lousy? Or somewhere in the middle? There is no right answer - as you’ll probably have realised by now just how inimitable you, your baby and your pregnancy really are.
No matter who you ask or what you read, you’ll always come back to the same few words: you are unique. There’s no right or wrong way to feel or be, regarding pregnancy. As for the changes you may be currently experiencing, then no doubt you’re at the stage where you’re beginning to huff and puff a little bit more.
That’s because your womb is getting higher, pushing organs out of the way in order to accommodate your growing baby. Of course this is perfectly safe but, as you near your due date, you will feel more and more cumbersome and uncomfortable in certain positions.
From the 24 weeks pregnant stage (onwards) your baby will have less and less room to manoeuvre and consequently, his movements will become easier and easier to feel. About now, you should be able to feel him tossing and turning fairly easily. Also, the amniotic fluid will begin to increase in volume from around now and will eventually be around 2 pints in volume.
24 Weeks Pregnant
Often, when you’re nearing the 24 weeks pregnant phase, you’ll find that those around you remark on your growing belly or wish to touch ‘baby’. Some women don’t enjoy being ‘handled’ but others openly enjoy it. However you feel about it is entirely your choice – if you’d prefer people not to, say so. On the other hand, you may enjoy the interest and contact – equally this is also fine.
Another pregnancy niggle you may be experiencing is back ache. Some women have little or no trouble with it, for others it’s quite the opposite. If you are suffering with it a little, speak to your doctor/midwife/health professional about natural remedies. Sometimes it’s just about posture – as you grow larger you may be leaning into or even away from the extra weight.
You may not be compensating for the fact that week to week, you are becoming heavier and larger. Try to think about how you lift (and we’re not talking sacks of coal!) your bag from a low level or how you stand. Again, if you’re experiencing trouble sleeping (too hot, heavy or struggling to find a restful position) consider how to make your night timeperiods more comfortable.
You’d be surprised how much better you’ll feel if you can take full benefit of rest periods (I know it’s not always easy – I suffered a lack of good quality sleep with my last two pregnancies) – so put your feet up. Raise your upper body, buy a pregnancy pillow or if money is short, rearrange the ones you already have so that they support you when you’re lying down.
And there’s always a massage – nothing feels quite so nice as a relaxing head, neck or even a foot massage. Let’s face it, there’s plenty of body parts that tend to nag and ache when you’re pregnant so – if you have an obliging partner, take advantage!
Fetal Development
24 Weeks Gestation
As you're 24 weeks pregnant, as previously mentioned, you’ll no doubt be more aware of your babies’ movements. This is because he is now around a pound – or more – in weight. He will continue to gain weight, over the ensuing weeks, though this will be a mixture of both fatty layers and muscle.
The lungs are now fully developing – the inner workings that are actually responsible for dealing with our oxygen intake are beginning to take shape. He will soon start to begin exercising his lungs by inhaling amniotic fluid – good practice for when he’s ready to be born.
He now has eyelashes, edging his eyelids and his hair is beginning to cover his scalp – though some babies are, of course, born with very little hair. However, his ability to grow hair post birth is not measured by how much hair he’s born with, so don’t worry if your baby is born with a lot – or a little.
24 Weeks Pregnant - In General
Having reached 24 weeks pregnant, you could consider joining and attending ante-natal or pregnancy classes (both mean the same). You will meet lots of other women, all pregnant and many of you will share similarities in terms of what you’ve experienced so far.
They’re a great place to talk and learn, make new friends and partners (or if not a partner, a friend or family member) are welcome. The aim of an ante-natal class is to help prepare you for the weeks ahead, the birth and its process and of course what to expect after your baby is born.
As always, take good care of you – and your baby.