Your baby's development in the 24th week of pregnancy

Constant urge to move: By the 24th week of pregnancy, your child's bones are so strong that it can sit up and "sit" can. The fetus now practices all movements more intensely than ever before. It fully lives out its constant urge to move.

A distinct sleep-wake rhythm develops: In recent weeks your baby has already learned to distinguish light and dark. Gradually it is also developing its own sleep-wake rhythm. Overall, the fetus sleeps in week 24 between 16 and 20 hours. In between it wakes up repeatedly and moves energetically. The sleep-wake rhythm does not necessarily match the mother's and you may notice that: your child is probably active when you would like to sleep.

Taste differentiation: In the 24th week of pregnancy, the fetus's taste buds are fully developed. They are now set to 'receive'. Specifically, your baby can distinctly distinguish flavors from now on and taste through the amniotic fluid what you have eaten.

The lungs continue to grow: Of the internal organs, the lungs are the last to develop. In week 24 the delicate body of the fetus continues to form the lungs. Even after your baby's birth the lungs continue to mature – until they can reach their full strength.

The layers of skin are formed: The fetus's skin is still delicate. In week 24, however, the keratinization of the layers slowly causes it to become more resilient and water-repellent . This prepares your baby for the world outside the protective womb.

The eye is fully developed: Although they are still closed, your baby could theoretically already use its eyes. However, the color of the iris can still change. Only during the first year of life does the final eye color develop from the initially often bright blue eyes.

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

In the 24th week of pregnancy, the fetus is about 30 cm in length and weighs around 550 grams on the scales. The size is approximately that of a cauliflower. By now your baby increasingly resembles a real little person. The skin still appears quite wrinkled because it lacks a layer of fat beneath it. Arms and legs as well as the facial features of your child are clearly visible in the current week. You might even see it sucking its finger or how it jerks its chest up and down with a hiccup.

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 24 of pregnancy?

Your baby's growth causes changes in your body: By now the uterus has reached navel height, organs make room for the growing fetus, and this results in weight gain. Your waistline is steadily growing and some pregnancy complaints or physical impairments become noticeable. Find out here which physical changes and symptoms in the 24th week of pregnancy can occur.

Uterine ligaments are put under greater strain: As the baby grows, the uterus becomes heavier. The strain also increases on the uterine ligaments, which support it on the left and right sides of the abdomen. Some women therefore feel more frequently an uncomfortable pulling sensation in the abdomen. Many find it helps to relax more, raise their legs, or lie down.

Firm belly: In the 24th week of pregnancy, constipation or flatulence can cause your belly to feel very firm more often and to react sensitively to pressure. Sufficient fluids and light walking can help get digestion moving again and make your belly softer. It is also important that you pay attention to your nutrition during pregnancy be careful. It's best to avoid foods like cabbage and beans as well as acidic drinks to avoid a firm belly.

Stretch marks: With increasing belly size many women have to contend with stretch marks on the abdomen and breasts to struggle with. These are harmless and mainly a sign that your child is growing and thriving. To prevent the marks, moisturizing creams for your skin are ideal.

24th week of pregnancy: These examinations are now important

Your gynecologist will inform you in the 24th week of pregnancy and again in the 27th week of pregnancy to pay attention to testing you for Rh incompatibility and gestational diabetes to be tested. Below we outline what these tests involve.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is, in the last third, one of the most common complications during pregnancy. If diabetes is detected in time, the risks for mother and child can be kept relatively small. Therefore, your doctor will perform a test for gestational diabetes with you in the next few weeks.

What is gestational diabetes?

Due to pregnancy hormones the metabolism slows down and sugar in the blood is no longer broken down as quickly, because the body no longer produces enough insulin. Consequently, the mother's blood sugar level increases. If the level is unusually high, gestational diabetes is present. After delivery the production usually increases again on its own and sugar metabolism normalizes.

What are the risks?

If your doctor detects gestational diabetes in time, it can usually be easily prevented. If it remains undetected, this can lead to developmental disorders in the unborn baby. It may grow too quickly and be too heavy for a natural birth. The internal organs grow quickly without maturing. As a result, the newborn may suffer from breathing difficulties or jaundice. For the mother the risk of a urinary tract infection or preeclampsia, an increased excretion of protein in the urine, is increased.

How is it tested?

Your doctor will ask you to drink a glass of dissolved glucose solution. After some time he or she measures your blood sugar level. If your body has broken down enough sugar, there is no suspicion of gestational diabetes. If the value is too high, a second sugar test is performed in which blood is taken again from you while fasting and after taking the glucose solution and tested.

What can I do?

After the diagnosis your doctor will advise you how to change your food intake. Usually a balanced diet and regular exercise are enough to treat gestational diabetes. If the blood sugar level remains elevated afterwards, your doctor will administer additional insulin.

Test for Rh incompatibility

Your Rh factor and that of your child were probably already tested during the first ultrasound examination. Between weeks 24 and 27 your doctor will repeat this test with you.

What is the Rh factor?

The Rh factor is a protein on the red blood cells. About 15 percent of people do not have an Rh factor, which is why they are considered Rh negative (Rh-negative). If you are Rh-negative, this is not a problem at first. However, this can change depending on your baby's result.

The problem & what you can do about it

Normally mother and child have two separate circulatory systems. However, these come into contact with each other, for example during birth or microbleeds in the placenta. If the mother is Rh-negative but the fetus's blood is Rh-positive, the mother develops antibodies. In the first pregnancy this is not yet serious, as the number of antibodies usually remains relatively low. If an incompatibility is detected in this test, there is the possibility of preventive treatment in subsequent pregnancies. In a second pregnancy with the same scenario it can, however, be life-threatening for the unborn child. The medical care is then indispensable.

Tips for the 24th week of pregnancy

• Driving with a baby bump: Driving with a grown belly becomes increasingly difficult. It is all the more important that you fasten your seat belt properly. Place the lap belt snugly between your thighs and your belly. Also make sure to set the backrest upright. There are also special seatbelt adjusters for pregnant women. You can use these if fastening the normal belt feels too uncomfortable or even painful.

• Discussion about parenting methods: With advancing pregnancy many parents in the 24th week think about how they want to approach raising their child. Tune into yourselves, exchange views with your partner as well as with your midwife and your closest confidants, and discuss how you want to raise your baby want to. Perhaps you'll thus clear away initial worries right away and reassure each other that you do not need to be swayed by outside influences. Only you decide what is sensible and right for you and your child.

Image credit

Illustration of pregnant women © designer_things - stock.adobe.com

Pregnant woman meditating © liderina - stock.adobe.com