The weeks are ticking by and while you feel great in most ways, there may still be many questions on your mind about the coming weeks as you anticipate the arrival of your baby. Your body is changing faster than you may be able to fully grasp and an ache here, or a twinge there may leave you wondering what is happening. Backaches, skin and vision changes, headaches and abdominal achiness may all be part of your daily routine, but don’t worry this too will pass once your baby is delivered.
Baby’s Development
At this week of your pregnancy, the baby measures about 11 inches and weighs about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 pounds. Your doctor will be checking the size of your uterus at each visit and measurements should coordinate with the number of weeks along you are. In the cases of some very large, or very small babies, these numbers will be a bit above or below your number of weeks.
Your baby’s brain and lungs are quickly starting to develop more fully, and taste buds are coming along nicely too. The lungs are developing branches so that the special cells will produce the surfactant to help baby’s lungs move air more effectively after delivery.
Gaining weight at a rate of 6 ounces per week now, your baby has a well-defined face complete with eyelashes and eyebrows as well as a sense of hearing that is growing more finely-tuned by the day.
Changes With Your Body
Now you will be able feel the top of the uterus about 2 inches above your belly button—and if it hasn’t begun to stick out yet, just hang on. The majority of moms experience a temporary “outie” as the uterus places pressure on your navel from behind, causing it to stick out.
Blurry vision is a common complaint of many expectant moms. And of course you guessed it, hormones can lead to dry eyes during pregnancy so you may need to consider drops or wearing your glasses more for the next few months.
Every woman dreads stretch marks, but for some women they may be a very real problem. While some women may only have a chosen few, others may be left with these scars from the knees to the breasts and back. Many advertisements claim to prevent these unsightly lines, but research shows that stretch marks are more hereditary than anything else—so you can moisturize till the cows come home, but don’t expect it to make a dramatic difference in the end result.
Braxton-Hicks contractions may start around this time. These irregular, painless contractions will occur more frequently as your pregnancy progresses. If you feel that you are contracting regularly, leaking fluid, bleeding or the contractions are becoming painful, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Some of the other symptoms that you may notice in this part of the pregnancy can include breast changes, more trips to the bathroom, constipation, itching and heartburn.
What To Expect
You will be asked to take a glucose tolerance test (GTT) sometime between your 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. This screening test can help detect your risk for gestational diabetes. If you are diagnosed with the condition, it can be controlled either by diet and exercise or with added medication injections, and will disappear after the baby is born.
Some symptoms of gestational diabetes include fatigue, nausea, excessive thirst and frequent urination. Only a small percentage of moms to be will have gestational diabetes–between 2 % to 5%. Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can cause both delivery and transition difficulties for mom and baby and should be taken very seriously.
Tips/Advice
Your body is changing rapidly, and this is a great time to find your own way of relieving any uncomfortable symptoms you may be having. A warm bath can be soothing for sore muscles (avoid hot tubs or saunas), or you may need to enlist the help of a loved one for an occasional massage. If you haven’t started a pregnancy journal, this is a great time to start documenting your daily feelings, emotions, and sensations.
August 15th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I live n new Orleans its sooooo hot so I’m always Getn lite headed but everything is rite on target oh I’m having a boy I have a set now
September 14th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
your article is very informative & answers alot of questions that I be having but im still a little nervous because I am 6 months pregnant & I still work in the warehouse but the conditions are starting to be too much. But the doctor is saying the baby is fine but I feel like crap…
November 22nd, 2010 at 2:37 am
Hey, im 6 months today and i was wondering if anyone else is having rectal pains after laying down for an extended amount of time and then go to get up? I heard it’s normal, but painful. Any ideas?
January 5th, 2011 at 2:40 am
hey guys,m having a beatiful pregnancy with no complications,i went for a scan a month ago and its a boy but people tell me its a gal coz im small,how true is that coz i want a boy!
January 12th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Hi Tasha…I'm 24 weeks also; and, Once I reached 23 1/2 weeks, I was having simulair pains also. Mines would come and go.
So far, I have not experienced it again.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Those are just old wives tales; go with the sonagram results!
January 12th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
I'm 24 weeks and I have not had any pregnancy symptoms; well, atleast not until now! Lately I've been having moderate to severe heart burn, nausea, and constant urination. Then, when I sneeze or vomit..I urinate on myself as well! Smh….I find myself taking two or three baths a day. Oh, and my gums are also becoming sore! I thought this pregnancy was going to be smooth all the way through..lol. So far, I've only gained 10 lbs. I'm wondering is there anyone else who is in the same weight gain range as me???
February 11th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
I would go with what the ultrasound technician said- he has the tools to see your baby's gender.
March 6th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
I'm 24 weeks, I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago, and my total weight gain was 14 pounds, and about the sneezing and peeing on yourself thing, if you figure out how to stop that, please let me know! I have the sameeee problem! lol. :]
March 15th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
my wife has only gained 11 pounds and we are 24wks and 3 days dont worry, we had a level 2 sonogram a week a ago(she was a lb lighter then). the doctor said our baby was doing great. just consider your self one of the lucky ones
March 25th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
im 24 weeks along tomarrow sometimes i pee myself a lil when i sneeze to i had very bad pains in my adomible area about a week ago it was the baby sitting on my ligameant lol but after two days it went away im am verry thursty most of the time specially when im trying to sleep and i think my tougue and gums are swollen because i been biting myself when i eat alot lol pregnancy is wild!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 4:25 am
i am 24 weeks today and have gained a total of 47 pounds..the tech says its a girl! my dr is worried because of my weight gain. i started at 115 before pregnancy and now im at 162 at 24 weeks..any body have any suggestions? i have been walking and i eat right i dont understand where all this weight gain is coming from. plus when the dr messured me at 23 weeks i was measuring 24 1/2 weeks. this is my first pregnancy so any help would be greatly appreciated.
March 29th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
I've only gained 11 pounds! & i'm in my 24th week!! you're not alone!
March 29th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Make sure you practice your kegel exercises daily!! This will help with the peeing on yourself now and after baby, as well as strengthen your pelvic floor for labor.
March 29th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Thanks for the laugh rvamama…on baby number 4 and hoping to come out dry afterward!!!
March 29th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Hi Thalassa – I am 25 weeks and have gained 9 lbs. This is my 4th child and the most I gained was 17 lbs with my son, he was 9lbs 1 oz of it. I would put a call in to your doctor since you are having nausea and you stated you vomit…any change should be reported. Don't be worried about your weight, be thankful. Just be sure that you are eating healthy and drinking lots of water. As far as wetting yourself, its common. Cross your legs before you sneeze and do kegel exercises daily!! You will most likely need to them after the birth as well. It took about 6 months for me to not worry about sneezing. My kids crack up everytime they see me sneeze, cough, laugh hard or blow my nose…I cross my legs every time for the "just in case".
April 4th, 2011 at 6:58 am
dnt worry everyone gains weight differently im 24 weeks along and have only gained 3pounds. and i still dnt look pregnant. but my doc says everyone is different and my baby is completely healthy and the right size. so just get your doctor or midwife to check your baby to double check the size and weight and if the baby is good your good =]
April 4th, 2011 at 9:16 am
Do not get worried about the weight gain. I am very athletic and run everyday. With my first child I ran up until the day before she was born. I started at 137 pounds and gained 42 during the pregnancy. I lost every bit of it in a monthes time. I am 5'8 and was under weight. A under weight person is suppose to gain more than a over weight person. Everything is fine.
April 8th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Hey, Im about to be 24 weeks in 2 days and Ive only gained about 14lbs since I found out I am pregnant at 5 weeks. My doctor said I am little underweighed for being 6 months, but as long as you are eating when you are hungry, which I eat constantly, you shouldnt be concerned. I pee myself all the time when I sneeze or when I laugh a lot, I think it is just that I have no control off my bladder anymore lol, but it doesnt worry me. If you have any other questions, just let me know at renata.matejka@yahoo.com
April 18th, 2011 at 11:03 am
I am 24 weeks along with my 2nd child. I lost 6 lbs in the begining because I was very sick. I have only gaind 2.5 of those lbs back. My doctor isn't worried at all because our little girl is measuring up perfectly. I hope my weight dosen't explode in the next 3 months
May 5th, 2012 at 4:38 am
I am 23 weeks 5 days. My 23 week appt I was measuring 6 days ahead, baby weighing 1 lb 8 oz already abd in the 96% for overall growth and I gave actually lost 15 pounds during the pregnancy. My main comolsint, ligament pains.