That face! At 24 weeks meaning, your baby'southward facial features are becoming more defined. At this rate, your niggling 1 will be ready for all those photos you'll snap later you requite nativity!

Your Baby at Week 24

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She's still just a hair over 8 inches long and weighs just a pound and a one-half, just this week your infant is starting to look much more similar the cuddly cutie you've been picturing in your listen's eye. Granted, her mini mug has some filling out to do, equally does the rest of her slender silhouette, but every bit she accumulates more muscle and fatty, she'll plump up nicely.

And here's another benefit to her rounding out. One time your skinny-minnie puts on more subcutaneous fat, her at present translucent pare will become opaque. In other words, you won't be able to see correct through her birthday suit to her organs, basic, and veins like y'all could now…that is, if you had a window on your womb.

Is she ready for her close-up? About. She'southward still sporting bright white eyelashes, eyebrows, and pilus, all of which accept yet to acquire paint. When they change to brown, red, black or blonde, you'll have your very ain cover daughter.

And here'due south a breaking brain bulletin: If you lot were to measure your footling 1'due south brain moving ridge activity you'd run into that information technology'southward similar to that of a newborn infant. Wondering what that means? Those brains cells accept matured enough to develop conscious thought and, most probably, memory.

Couple that with her amped up auditory system and it's no wonder that babies who hear sure musical pieces while in utero recognize — and are calmed — by that same music when they're built-in. And so crank up the Beethoven, Beatles, or Black Eyed Peas…your baby'due south sure to get her groove on — now and subsequently!

At a Glance

Bulking upward

Your footling bean is putting on more and more than weight, much of information technology coming from accumulating baby fat along with growing muscles, organs and bones.

Rock-a-bye, baby

Baby'south auditory system is rapidly advancing, which means if she frequently hears a certain song now she's likely to recognize it and feel calmed by information technology when she's built-in.

White-haired baby

Your baby is still sporting white eyelashes, eyebrows and hair, all of which have still to acquire pigment.

24 weeks significant is how many months?

If you're 24 weeks pregnant, you're in calendar month half-dozen of your pregnancy. But 3 months left to get! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my infant at 24 weeks?

Your baby is near 11½ inches long and weighs ane pound, gaining steadily at a charge per unit of about six ounces per calendar week. Much of that weight comes from growing organs, bones, muscle and accumulating baby fat.

Baby's face is formed

Wondering what (and who) your baby will look like? If you had a baby cam at 24 weeks pregnant, y'all'd almost be able to tell by now. That beautiful face, though however tiny, is almost fully formed, consummate with eyelashes, eyebrows and hair.

Will your infant accept brown, black, blond or cherry hair — or something in between? Actually, right at present her locks are white, since there'southward no pigment yet. The fatty that will be piled on under baby'due south pare is also missing from the moving picture right at present.

Until those fat deposits are made, that very tender peel is notwithstanding very transparent, which means a close look would allow you encounter clear through to all the organs, bones and blood vessels. Fortunately, that meet-through expect won't last much longer.

Fetal hearing

What'south been playing on your little rocker's stereo system these days? All kinds of sounds can exist heard by your infant in your womb: air exhaling from your lungs — deep breath now — those gastric gurgles produced past your breadbasket and intestines, your vox and your partner's, which your baby will be able to recognize at birth, and even very loud sounds such as honking horns, barking dogs or a wailing burn truck.

Your Body at Week 24

week by week 24

Omphalus changes

If your former innie is now an outie, welcome to the order. Almost every expectant mom'south pregnant belly button pops at some point as that swelling uterus pushes on everything in its path.

Things should return to normal after delivery, though your navel, and some other parts of your body, might expect a flake, well, stretched. Merely think of information technology every bit one more badge of honor that only moms get to wear.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

What other pregnancy woe is pushing your buttons when you're 24 weeks pregnant? Well, probably your uncomfortably numb wrists and fingers. Chances are it could be carpal tunnel syndrome.

The uncomfortable tingling and numbness y'all notice in your wrists and fingers is usually associated with piece of work that requires repetitive motion, such as typing, but carpal tunnel strikes meaning women for a different reason — though repetitive motion can definitely contribute.

The swelling that'south and so common during pregnancy causes fluids to accumulate in your lower extremities during the mean solar day, which are redistributed to the rest of your body, including your hands, when you're lying down — putting pressure on the nerve that runs through your wrist. That causes numbness, tingling, pain or a irksome ache in the fingers, mitt or wrist.

Get relief past avoiding sleeping on your easily and propping your arms upwards with a pillow at night. Shaking your hands and wrists might also help. Be sure, too, that if y'all are doing repetitive motions such as piano playing or typing, which can aggravate your symptoms, accept frequent mitt-stretching breaks.

If yous're in a lot of pain, a wrist brace might be merely the ticket to condolement. Luckily, when the regular swelling of pregnancy stops after delivery, the carpal tunnel symptoms get away, too.

Soothing ruddy, itchy palms

Sure, you'd heard that pregnancy comes with a diversity of symptoms, most of them non very pleasant — actually, none of them very pleasant, unless you count fast-growing pilus, nails and breasts. But perchance you didn't expect and then many seemingly random symptoms — such equally the red, itchy palms that take nothing to practice with the amount of dishwashing you're doing. The red may spread, too, to the soles of your anxiety, though you're less probable to notice that once your anxiety get more difficult to come across.

Though this is a relatively normal symptom, peculiarly this far into pregnancy, be certain to mention it to your dr. — there's a run a risk information technology could indicate a rare complication called cholestasis of pregnancy, though this is more common in the third trimester.

You tin arraign those pesky hormones for this one, likewise — along with virtually all the other strange symptoms you'll have as the months go past, like the metallic taste in your oral cavity, skin tags appearing out of nowhere, bigger feet, increased saliva and vision changes, to proper name a few.

As for getting the red out, at that place are no sure solutions...as well delivery. Until then, avert anything that makes the reddish redder, such as becoming overheated, taking long, hot baths or showers or wearing also-warm or besides-tight gloves or socks.

Some women find relief by soaking their hands and feet in common cold water or applying an ice pack for a few minutes a couple times a solar day. Y'all might even endeavour going on a dishwashing strike while yous're expecting — just tell your spouse information technology'southward medico'south orders!

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 24

Constipation

Constipated? Pregnancy hormones cause abdominal muscles to relax in order to go on food in your digestive system longer, and so you and your babe can blot more nutrients. But simply because information technology'southward for a adept cause doesn't make it pleasant. Drink lots of water and juice to get things moving faster through your system and soften your stool so it'south easier to laissez passer. Read More than

Lower intestinal achiness

As your uterus continues to expand, the ligaments that back up it stretch, which may cause some pain. Occasional lower intestinal achiness is normal, but if the discomfort is accompanied by symptoms such equally fever, chills or bleeding, see your practitioner. Read More

Blurred vision

Are your contact lenses bothering you lately — or is your vision sometimes blurry? Pregnancy hormones can decrease tear production, causing centre irritation, and increase fluid buildup in the eye, temporarily altering your vision. This should laissez passer shortly after delivery, then don't get out and go any new eyeglass or contact-lens prescriptions while you're expecting. Read More than

Migraines

If you notice your headaches concluding for days, are severe and are sometimes accompanied by nausea or vision changes, they might be migraines. Let your practitioner know and keep a journal of what y'all ate, where you were and what you were doing earlier you experienced each migraine so you lot can pinpoint the triggers — and start to avoid them. Read More

Leg cramps

When leg cramps kickoff to balk your style, attempt straightening your leg and gently flexing your talocrural joint and toes up toward your shins several times. This can stop the spasm. Read More

Swollen feet and ankles

Don't be alarmed if the swelling in your anxiety has caused you to "abound" out of your favorite shoes. Just do what you tin to avoid letting fluid, which you're more likely to retain during pregnancy, pool in your legs — which means elevating your legs when you're sitting. Read More

Tips for You This Week

Go ready for the glucose screening

Your md will requite you the glucose screening betwixt 24 and 28 weeks. If your claret carbohydrate levels testify that yous accept gestational diabetes — a temporary condition that appears during pregnancy — you lot'll likely accept to modify your nutrition, monitor your blood sugar at home, and possibly increment your activeness levels.

While researchers aren't certain why some women get gestational diabetes while others don't, they exercise know that you may be at an increased risk if you are overweight, are older, are pregnant with multiples, have a higher level of abdominal fatty, or have a family unit history of diabetes.

Have shorter showers

Suffering from dry skin during pregnancy? Taking too many baths tin can strip your skin of its moisture.

Stick to short showers — which is good training for actual motherhood — in warm, not hot, water, and use a mild cleanser. For very dry pare, try a moisturizer or put a warm-mist humidifier in your room.

Run across if a doula is right for y'all

Have you considered hiring a doula to help with delivery and early baby care? A doula's duty is to exist your head cheerleader during commitment. Different an OB/GYN or midwife, doulas do not accept medical training — instead, they're at that place to support you emotionally.

Some studies show that moms with doulas are less probable to require C-sections, inductions and pain relief, while births may be shorter with a lower charge per unit of complications.

Do some meal prep

Your freezer is your friend; cook once and fill it many times over with nutritious leftovers.

Make a large tray of lasagna by layering defrosted frozen spinach or broccoli on top of the pasta along with some shredded cheese, good-quality jarred lycopersicon esculentum sauce and lean footing beef or turkey. Piece the leftovers into individual portions and then freeze to reheat and banquet another day.

The aforementioned goes for soups and stews — make a vat and freeze into single-serve containers, then reheat them afterwards as a nourishing snack. Ditto mini meat loaves and muffins.

For the fridge, boil a dozen eggs at a time: Brew one-half into egg salad for lunch today and tomorrow and keep the residuum intact for snacks on the run — or snacks to proceed you going while you make dinner.

Cut up plenty fruit salad or veggies to keep you happily and healthily munching for days. And instead of grilling i chicken breast for dinner, grill iv or more than; the rest will brand delicious sandwiches, salad toppings for dinner or fajita fillings in the days to come up.

And by the manner, you don't have to become it all alone. Make it a team endeavour and enlist the help of your partner if you have one, family, friends, neighbors and even other children if this isn't your kickoff!

Ease the sting of hemorrhoids

Pregnancy tin can put a lot of pressure on you — including on the veins in the rectal area, which can keen and bulge. Hemorrhoids are extremely common when you're meaning, just take some condolement (if you lot can get comfy, that is) in the fact that they're perfectly harmless.

Keep it clean down in that location by using warm water and white two-ply toilet newspaper after a bowel movement. Don't wipe too difficult (that merely makes it worse) or linger on the toilet. If TP is too harsh, switch to wipes (preferably those made with plain h2o or designed for sensitive peel) instead.

To ease the discomfort, try soaking in a warm (not hot) bath.

Not gaining enough weight?

Having problem putting on enough pounds during pregnancy? Or are you gaining weight likewise slowly? Inadequate weight gain can increase your take a chance of preterm delivery, having a low birth weight infant and other pregnancy issues.

And so how petty is too trivial when it comes to pregnancy weight gain? That all depends.

When y'all first got meaning, your practitioner probably gave you a range to aim for based on several factors, including what your pre-pregnancy weight was.

If you've been told to gain the standard 25-to-35-pound full in your pregnancy, for case, adjacent week at 25 weeks pregnant you lot should take put on anywhere from 13 to 19 of those pounds.

If you're falling short, yous'll desire to kick your weight-gain efforts into college gear. Talk to your md or midwife for some advice.

Remember to floss

Desire to increase your odds of delivering a full-term baby? Put your dental floss where your mouth is. Surprisingly, research links expert dental health and oral hygiene with longer pregnancies. Sounds crazy — but it'southward true.

Something every bit simple every bit brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly can reduce the risk of gingivitis — a common status in which your gums become inflamed, cerise and even begin to bleed.

Untreated gingivitis (that's where the regular dental checkups come in) tin can progress to periodontitis — a more serious infection of the teeth — which has been linked to premature nascence and even an increased risk of preeclampsia.

Keep on top of your teeth, and that old (untrue) wives' tale — the 1 that claims a woman loses a tooth with each pregnancy — can finally be put to rest.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Wait When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses just credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, bookish research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Acquire how we go along our content authentic and upwards-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

  • What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
  • WhatToExpect.com, When Your Baby Can Hear in the Womb, June 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Sore and Bleeding Gums During Pregnancy, October 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy, October 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, What Is a Doula and Should You Hire I for Your Babe's Birth?, May 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Glucose Screening and Glucose Tolerance Test, March 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, How Does Gestational Diabetes (GD) Affect Your Pregnancy and Infant?, December 2020.
  • Mayo Clinic, Fetal Development: The 2nd Trimester, June 2020.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Fetal Evolution, June 2021.
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, July 2016.
  • American University of Family unit Physicians, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, September 2020.
  • American Periodical of Clinical Dermatology, Palmar Erythema, December 2007.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Genetics Home Reference, Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy, August 2020.
  • Journal of Current Ophthalmology, Ocular Changes in Pregnancy, September 2018.
  • Mayo Clinic, Migraine, July 2021.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Gestational Diabetes, Dec 2020.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Sample of Meaning Women Diagnosed with the Illness, Nov 2015.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Glucose Screening Tests During Pregnancy, June 2021.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Travel During Pregnancy, August 2020.
  • National Institutes of Wellness, National Library of Medicine, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, October 2012.
  • DONA International, What Is a Doula?, 2021.
  • Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Clan, Certified Labor Doula, 2021.
  • American Higher of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Nutrition During Pregnancy, March 2021.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Eating Correct During Pregnancy, June 2021.
  • Food and Drug Administration, What You Demand to Know Virtually Egg Condom, March 2021.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Protein in Diet, June 2021.
  • American Dental Association, Pregnancy, May 2021.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Weight Proceeds During Pregnancy, May 2021.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Weight Gain During Pregnancy, 2020.

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