Pregnancy Week 24
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Inside Pregnancy Week 24
Week 24 fetal development image showing the fetal growth of your baby to date. Medical Illustration Copyright © 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, All rights reserved
The baby is now between 12 and 12 1/2" long and around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds, and gaining approximately 6 ounces a week. The brain continues in its rapid growth mode and the lungs are maturing. The special cells which produce surfactant are developing. Surfactant is what helps the air sacs inflate, and preemies who struggle with breathing are usually having difficulties because the special cells have not fully developed prior to delivery. The taste buds are getting more sensitive, and baby may even react to a particularly strong taste in Mommy's food. The sweat glands are developing now, as well. The hands are getting more coordinated, as evidenced in more precise thumb-sucking skills. The big news of the week however is that the baby is now officially viable!
Pregnancy Symptoms You May Feel During Week 24
Itchy, itchy, itchy. This point in pregnancy there are often some annoying symptoms popping up. The skin on breasts and belly is really stretching and with that frequently comes an intense itchy sensation. Your palms and soles of your feet may also be red and itchy, due to your pregnancy hormones. Other seemingly random annoyances include a metallic taste in your mouth, and increased saliva. Also, you might be experiencing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. This won't be caused by the typical repetitive movements of office work, but rather by the pregnancy swelling putting pressure on nerves. This will produce tingling and numbness in your fingers and wrists. You may also be experiencing dryness and sensitivity with your eyes now. Heartburn, which may have plagued you earlier in your pregnancy, might well be back now with a vengeance. Avoid lying down immediately after eating, and eat regular small meals.
Visit With the Obstetrician
Probably in the next few weeks you'll be scheduled for your glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes. This test is typically done between the 24th and 28th weeks. You will be told to eat and drink normally prior to the test. You'll come into the office and be given a syrupy sweet solution to drink. An hour later a blood sample will be taken to check the blood sugar levels. You'll typically wait at the office for results. A result of 130 - 140 milligrams per deciliter may indicate a high blood sugar level and will require more testing. False positives are fairly common, so even if the test indicates a possibility of gestational diabetes, don't panic just yet. The follow up test is the glucose tolerance test and will yield the needed reliable results. Gestational diabetes is serious, but rather common, and manageable.
Preparing for Baby
This week baby is officially viable, so it's definitely time to get those hospital bags packed! By now you might have started birthing classes or visited the hospital and done a tour. Find out what items they recommend you bring, and which ones they will not allow. Think of the things you will find comfort in-both emotional and physical but be practical at the same time. You won't be bringing in a set of luggage, just a simple bag. Talk to other mothers who have recently given birth to find out what items they couldn't have lived without and which ones they forgot.
Pregnancy Lifestyle
One of those unpleasant side effects of pregnancy hormones is the embarrassing fuzzy brain. Your thinking won't always be at its sharpest during pregnancy, especially as you get into your second trimester. Don't worry about it, it won't be permanent, although honestly it may feel that way for awhile as you adjust to sleep deprivation with a newborn. The best way to deal with this symptom, is with some planning and a good sense of humor. Make lists for things you typically never needed to before. Don't count on remembering that little list of five items at the grocery, write it down. Keep a little pad in your purse to keep other reminders for yourself. Don't get frustrated that you keep walking into a room to get something that you now can't remember. Find a way to laugh it off. It's just hormones, you will not be an airhead permanently.
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Im 22 and 24 weeks pregnant with my second child. im having another boy :) the only thing im concerned about is my weight gain. i am currently 4lbs over my target weight gain. with my first born i gained 85lbs and by this time with him i was 20lbs over my target weight gain. i know that last time it was due to medications i was taking but this time im hungry all the time to the point where my stomach grummbles and im not takig any medications! i eat all the time and my husband said that he likes when im pregnant because i eat as mch as he does! but i guess 4lbs is better then 20lbs over my target weight gain :)like most mommys im probably overreacting lol
I am 34 years old and i am 23 weeks pregnant with aboy. i have 2 boys and this will be my 3rd. i wanted a gorl so badly but i guess god decides. i have a problem with a very yellow/light green discharge. sometimes itchy. what can i drink or take.
Hello i am 32yrs old and i am 24weeks pregnant this is my third pregnancy, i have two boys one is 10yrs old and the other is 3yrs old. i am having another boy. i really wanted a girl but i guess im not so lucky. my baby is really active, moves alot. im am at that point in my pregnancy that i cant wait to have my baby, my belly is big and i cant bend over anymore. my pelvic hurts all the time. i had a c-section with my last son so i will have to have one with this baby.
You dont have to have a c-section just cause you had one before. that's just a bunch a crap doctors feed women, i would know as a doctor and a mom.. :) many women have natural birth after a c-section.. some women are not capable of it cause of various health issues or choose to have another c-section.. but never feel pressured into anything. it's your body and unless the baby's life is in danger then it's your choice. best luck!
I am 31, and 24 weeks with a baby boy, this will be be my third boy, there is 7.5 years difference between this one and my 7 year old.. and almost 11 with my oldest im a little nervous of age difference but im sure itll be ok, they both are really excited!! this one was quite a suprise for all of us, but a huge blessing all in one!!!
We are going thru the exact same thing. from the beginning of ur story to the end! god bless u and may everything go accordingly.
That is exactly the age differences between my older brother, me and my younger sister. we adore her and i love that 7.5 year difference between the two of us. she's 25 now and i'm 32, but we've always been close without any competition. consider yourself lucky!
I feel fantastic, a little nervous because i developed preeclampsia with my 1st at 26 weeks. but otherwise great!!!
I'm 37 y/o, 24 weeks too. i feel like my belly is gonna explode! its also hard and tight. they said my belly is expanding but the feeling is really bothering me.i'm a flight attendant and my dr said i can still fly until my 30th week but i don't think so, my belly is really getting big and i don't like people giving me funny looks because i'm pregnant and still working. i only fly short distance about an hour to 1 1/2 hr flight so its not hard. i like walking and if i just stayed at home, i'll be bored and lazy.
I'm the same age as you, 24 weeks with twin girls! i'm a server and still working as well. i like it, it keeps me somewhat active, but it is getting harder to fit between some of the tables now. :) i am huge, i look like i'm already due. i feel like you though, i would be so bored if i stopped working now. the dr says we're fine and i feel good, so off to work i go. have fun at work and with your pregnancy!
My name is tiffany, i was doing some research on my due date and when exactly did i get pregnant. my due date is march 21rst 2013. i had sex on june 10th 2012 and got my period on june 14th-18th, i then had sex on june 25/ 26th 2012 (midnight). my bf and i took a short break and i had sex with my ex bf on july 2nd. i found out i was pregnant on july 13th. from this app i have on my phone, based from my last period it says i was fertile from june23-29th and ovulated on june 28th 2012. on friday august 31rst 2012 i went for my first sonogram app and my doctor said my baby was measured at 11 weeks and 1 day, so i knew i made 11 weeks the day b4 which was on thursday aug 30th. so every thursday i make a different week. i then counted back 9 weeks back and it landed on june 28th. this monday on november 26th i went for another sonogram app and they told me i was 23 weeks and 4 days meaning today thursday november 29th i made 24 weeks, i then counted 22 weeks back and it still lands on june 28th. they said all is fine with the baby and that my due date is march 21rst 2013 i even counted 40 weeks and it falls on march 21rst. now i havent spoken to my doctor about this because i recently just moved to pa and i have a brand new doctor and i am embarrassed, i made a huge mistake. i told my bf he is the father b|c my old doctor said it was too early for it to be my ex's but it eats me inside and i just need to know so it could ease my mind. please if you could help me out i would gladly appreciate it. is it my bf's or ex's from july 2nd. thank you.
Really.hate to give u more math or more to think about ... ultrasounds can be off by approx 10 days, i know it doesnt help much but sometimes baby is just big. i also know that a preg mom can have her monthly believe it or not throughout the whole preg. i also understand it takes about a week for a sperm to fertilate when it reaches its um.. destination.. sorry to give more to think about but u may want to bring it up to doc.... even if to just to ask for advice or be sure of unwanted transferables. anyways... may or may not be much help.... but if this current bf is a good guy, he,ll accept baby without question... but probably would be better that he knows now instead of later..... i see everyone on here having their first baby.. iam having.... ahem my fifth.... : )
Hi, im 21 yrs old, pregnant with my first baby boy :) veryy exited and kinda nervous!.. i thought my baby probably wasnt growing right cuase ive only gained 10 lbs and my belly is small, but today had my ultrasound and baby is doing good 4 his 24 weeks !! he weighs 1 pound 6 ounces.. (;
I am 24 weeks with my 3rd, she is a girl! we are naming her myah marie. my oldest is 14 and a girl and my youngest is 2 and a boy. i am 36. i love being pregnant and am beginning to get very excited!!
Venesa, im also 27 and 24 wks with a boy! my hubby and i are extremely excited and cant wait to hold him! are you having your baby shower before or after christmas?
I am 35 and i have a 22 yr old daughter,10old daughter now i am 20 wks with another girl they are 10years apart lucky me
Im 27 and 24 weeks pregnant! it's my first child and it's a boy!! i am super excited and can't wait to hold my baby boy! after two miscarriages and believing i couldn't get pregnant after the second one i'm finally gonna have a baby boy.. at the end of jan!! well best of luck
I am 33years old and im 24 wks. i dunno if im having a boy or girl yet. i am a high risk pregnancy bcuz i have hep c.i pray i have a healthy baby.i have an 8year old daghter that in remission from cancer& i hope 2 give her a baby sis like she wants.
Hi there, i am now 41yrs old & 24 weeks pregnant with my second child (a boy) i have a daughter who is 5 turning 6 soon. i didn't think i was going to get the chance to be a mother again after trying to concieve for the past 3 years- my partner & i are very excited & look forward to being parents again. we wish all the other couples out there all the luck in the world!
I am 20 and 24 weeks along with my 2nd child. at my last ultrasound i wanted to know what this one was but they couldn't tell. i was sad of course but hopefully when i go back on wednesday they will be able to tell me something. i have a 19 month old daughter named cynthia and she was born 2 months premature because i obtained severe pre-ecclampsia. my doctors are watching me more closely this time and i hope the same thing doesn't happen again. cynthia was fine breathing on her own and everything but at 3lbs 9oz she had to stay in the nicu for a month until she could maintain her body temperature! :( so fingers crossed that my blood pressure stays manageable this time around and hopefully there is a little boy on its way this time so cynthia can have a little brother, although i will be happy if its another little princess instead. :)
Hello evryone! iam 26 and in my 24th week. this is my firsy child... it's a boy and i am ready to hold him already.going through this without his father, and it's tough but i am looking forward to being a mother!i feel him alot during the night, he usually is very still during the day when i'm active.i love him already! good luck to everyone.
I'm 22 and 24 wks pregnant with my 1st child, a girl! we are so excited for her to get here in april! i however was rushed to the hospital for an emergency ultrasound 2 wks ago for an incompetent cervix. i'm going in on thursday for a consoltation with sacred heart childerns hospital and her daddy just left for a deployment. hopefully i will get some good news. very scared thou, my aunt has the same problem and delivered at 29wks with my niece.
Hi everyone. i am 25 and 24 weeks pregnant with my first baby. i didnt know that my baby girl or boy. i wonder that in the morning my belly is smaller but at night its bigger :)). i am so exited
I am 24 weeks. im having a girl :) can't wait to see what she looks like. this is my first baby we are going to name her emma. sometimes when im aroud famliy or friends its weird when then come up and rub alover my belly. lol i try to talk to her all the time.
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Im 18 years old and 24 weeks pregant and im feeling pretty good....this is my first baby and im having a baby boy his name is zeion demarus im so excited to meet my little one...
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