24 WEEKS PREGNANT
Happy 24th week!
By this time, you should be getting the hang of 2nd trimester and while the initial 2nd trimester pregnancy symptoms don’t seem to quite get to you as much as before (hopefully), you might be in for yet another set of unsavoury pregnancy symptoms ‘surprise’, which we will get to in a bit.
On a more positive note, you would be enjoying the surprises that the little one springs on you when he or she stretches and gets comfy in your utero.
This week, you’ll be experiencing slightly more discomfort than the previous few weeks, but nothing you can’t manage, that we promise you!
24 WEEKS BABY SIZE
How big is baby at 24 weeks? Your baby is the size of a cantaloupe, which is about 30cm.
The current weight of your baby is about 600g (0.6kg).
24 WEEKS PREGNANT WEIGHT GAIN
This is the weight gain that you must achieve this week.
| Underweight | (BMI <18.5) | 0.44kg to 0.58kg |
| Normal weight | (BMI 18.5 to 24.9) | 0.39kg to 0.50kg |
| Overweight | (BMI 25 to 29.9) | 0.23kg to 0.33kg |
| Obese | (BMI ≥ 30) | 0.16kg to 0.25kg |
During the second trimester, you will need to eat an extra 340 calories a day.
24 WEEKS PREGNANT SYMPTOMS
Your (pretty annoying) 24 week pregnant symptoms probably sound a little bit like this:
- Backaches. Truth to be told, this irksome symptom is not about to leave until the little one is out. With the little one growing, this will undoubtedly exacerbate the aching issue. This is because with the growth of baby, your uterus expands and grows at the same time, thereby sitting on your spine, which results in a more strained back. Do consider yoga and breathing techniques to help alleviate this achy situation.
- Swollen feet. Those ankles and feet of yours are going to look very much out of shape and you really shouldn’t be too worried about it. Should you find that your legs are starting to swell up, go on strolls to get the blood circulation going and this will help alleviate the swelling that you’re experiencing. Also, do try to keep your legs elevated when you are sitting to relieve the pressure on your legs and you will see some changes to those swollen ankles and feet of yours. While swelling is not uncommon during this stage of your pregnancy, do note that severe swelling is not at all normal. So if you realise that the swelling is getting way out of hand, do consult your gynae immediately as it might just be a sign of pregnancy complication.
- Linea nigra. By this stage of the pregnancy, you’ll realise the presence of a dark line running up the center of your belly. This is known as the Linea nigra which is a result of pregnancy hormones. However, fret not! This symptom does not overstay its welcome and you can expect it to fade within a few weeks to a month upon the arrival of the little one.
- Leg cramps. With added weight from the little one, your legs are taking a hit from the added pressure, resulting in crampy and tired legs. While leg cramps are a common sign due to the additional weight that you’re carrying around, cramps may also hint at dehydration and nutritional deficiency. So do remember to keep yourself sufficiently hydrated and adopt a healthy diet throughout the day. More walking, more elevation and compression stockings can help with the nagging symptom of yours.
- Stretch marks. Yeap! As your tummy expands with the growth of the little one, do expect the nasty stretch marks to appear. With your skin stretching more, you will also notice that your tummy feels itchy but whatever you do, never give in to the temptation of scratching as this will worsen the stretch mark situation. Instead, invest in cocoa butter oil to help with the stretch marks and itch.
You may notice the presence of a dark line running up the center of your belly, known as Linea nigra which is a result of pregnancy hormones. You can expect it to fade within a few weeks to a month upon the arrival of the little one.
24 WEEKS THE PREGNANT BELLY
At 24 weeks pregnant, you are no stranger to the Kungfu kicks that the little one has sprung on you for the past weeks. The little one is getting much bigger and stronger from here on and they would be able to feel and sometimes react to your touch.
Although the recommended weight gain at 24 weeks pregnant is about 14 to 16 pounds for mummys that fall in the normal BMI scale, do note that drastic weight gain is never encouraged throughout the pregnancy.
So mummys, do ensure to keep a steady weight gain in order to maintain a healthy pregnancy growth.
HOW IS MY BABY 24 WEEKS PREGNANT?
A lot is brewing inside that growing tummy of yours. The little one is making significant progress by this time of the pregnancy.
At this stage, the little one has skin that is now more opaque, taking on a pinkish hue due to the newly formed capillaries.
Do also expect your gynae to have you undergo a Glucose Challenge Screening Test to check if you are at risk for gestational diabetes.
What to expect from a Glucose Challenge Screening Test:
Your gynae will have you drink a sweet liquid called Glucola and you are then asked to wait for an hour before having your blood drawn. With the blood test, your gynae can find out just how efficient and just how your body has processed the sugar.
If there are abnormalities, your gynae will have you take a follow-up test. This time, it measures just how your body processes sugar over a 3 hour period in order to ascertain if you truly suffer from gestational diabetes.
Should you suffer from gestational diabetes, your gynae will be sure to keep your condition under control and to ensure that your pregnancy runs as smoothly as can be.
All that is required is more monitoring and more ultrasounds to ensure the safety of both you and your little one.
WHAT TO DO AT 24 WEEKS PREGNANT
Reminders for the week:
- Prepare yourself for the glucose challenge test
- You can start with babyproofing the house
- Get the nursery ready
