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

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

Own sleep-wake rhythm develops: In recent weeks your baby has already learned to distinguish light and dark. Slowly 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 again and again and romps about. The sleep-wake rhythm does not necessarily match that of the mother and you may notice that too: your child is probably active when you would like to sleep.

Tastes differentiate: In the 24th week of pregnancy the fetus's taste buds are fully developed. They are now set to 'receive'. This specifically means: Your baby can distinctly distinguish flavors from now on and taste what you have eaten through the amniotic fluid.

The lungs continue to grow: Of the internal organs, the lungs develop last. In the 24th week of pregnancy the delicate body of the fetus continues to form the lungs. Even after your baby is born, the lungs continue to mature until they can work at full capacity.

The skin layers 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 already 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. The color of the iris is still changing. Only during the course of the first year of life does the initial, often bright blue eye color develop into the child's permanent eye color.

What can be seen on the ultrasound?

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

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

Your baby's growth brings changes to your body: meanwhile the uterus has reached the level of the navel, organs make room for the growing fetus and this results in weight gain. Your belly circumference is steadily growing and also the occasional pregnancy complaints or physical impairments make themselves noticeable. Find out here which physical changes and symptoms in the 24th week of pregnancy can occur.

The uterine ligaments are under greater strain: The uterus becomes heavier with the growing baby. The strain is also increasingly placed on the uterine ligaments, which hold on the left and right in the abdominal cavity. Some women therefore feel increasingly often an unpleasant pulling sensation in the abdomen. Many find it helpful to relax more, to put their legs up or to lie down.

Firm belly: In the 24th week of pregnancy, constipation or gas cause your belly to often feel very firm and to react sensitively to pressure. Sufficient fluids and light walking can help to get digestion moving again and soften your belly. It is also important that you pay attention to your nutrition during pregnancy pay attention. Avoid foods such as cabbage and beans as well as acidic drinks to prevent a firm belly.

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

24th week of pregnancy: These checks are important now

Your gynecologist will point out to you in the 24th week of pregnancy and again in the 27th week of pregnancy to draw your attention to testing for the Rhesus incompatibility as well as gestational diabetes to be tested. Below we outline what these examinations involve.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is among the most common complications during pregnancyIf the diabetes is detected early, the risks for mother and child can be kept relatively low. Therefore your doctor will carry out a test for gestational diabetes with you in the coming 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 breakdown 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. Also the internal organs grow quickly without maturing in the process. This can cause the newborn to suffer from breathing difficulties or jaundice. For the mother, the risk of a urinary tract infection or preeclampsia (increased protein excretion in the urine) rises.

How is it tested?

Your doctor will ask you to drink a glass containing dissolved glucose. After some time they measure 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 carried out, in which blood is taken from you again while fasting and after taking the sugar solution and this is tested.

What can I do?

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

Test for Rh incompatibility

Probably your Rhesus factor and that of your child were already tested at the first ultrasound examination. Between the 24th and 27th week of pregnancy your doctor will perform this test with you again.

What is the Rhesus factor?

The Rhesus factor is a protein on the red blood cells. About 15 percent of people do not have the Rhesus 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 issue & what you can do about it

Normally mother and child have two separate blood circulations. However, they 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 bad, as the number of antibodies usually remains relatively low. If an incompatibility is detected by this test, there is the possibility to be treated preventively in subsequent pregnancies. In the second pregnancy with the same scenario, however, it can be life-threatening for the unborn child. The medical care is then essential.

Tips for the 24th week of pregnancy

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

• Discussion on parenting methods: With the progressing pregnancy many parents in the 24th week start thinking about how they want to approach raising the child. Tune into yourself, discuss with your partner as well as with your midwife and your closest confidants, and talk about how you want to raise your baby. Maybe you'll thus clear away initial worries directly and reassure each other that you don't need to be swayed by external influences. Only you decide what is sensible and right for you and your child.

Image credits

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

Pregnant woman meditating © liderina - stock.adobe.com