Not only is the baby growing fast, your body will also be changing in some remarkable ways. By now, you probably have a baby bump, you may also have noticed enlarged breasts, swollen feet, stretch marks, and other signs of pregnancy. At 24 weeks, you may still have some questions. How big is my baby? How big should my belly be? What does my baby look like at 24 weeks pregnant? This article will answer these questions.

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24 Weeks Pregnancy Symptoms

Pregnancy symptoms at week 24 might be less intense than the first trimester, but it’s still likely that you will experience some. Here are most common signs of pregnancy at week 24.

• Bleeding Gums

Having swollen or bleeding gums is very common among pregnant women. This is because of the increased blood flow that accompanies being pregnant. If you are experiencing this at week 24, try changing your toothbrush to one with softer bristles.

• Backaches

If you’ve had back pain throughout the pregnancy, it might not stop until the day your baby is born. The extra weigh makes the muscles in the back work harder, and the growth in the uterus makes it press against the spine. The best thing to do is to rest as much as possible and try and remain in comfortable positions. If the problems persist, you should consult your medical practitioner for advice.

• Skin Discoloration

At 24 weeks pregnant, it’s likely that your baby bump has begun to expand. Sometimes, a dark line across the belly accompanies this. It is known as the linea nigra and it is influenced by hormonal changes in your body. It is not something to worry about, however, as it is harmless and usually disappears after a few months.

• Baby movements

As the weeks pass, you are increasingly likely to feel your baby move inside you. If you haven’t experienced it by now, week 24 of pregnancy could be the first time for you.

• Heartburn and Indigestion

A persistent sign of pregnancy is heartburn and indigestion. This affects the majority of pregnant women and is a result of high levels of progesterone in your system. Progesterone slows down the digestive tract and can also lead to bloating and gassiness.

• Confusion

The fluctuating hormones and increased blood flow can sometimes to lead to “pregnancy brain”. It is very common for pregnant women to feel confused or discombobulated and is not something to be concerned with. If you are worried that you are becoming extremely and increasingly forgetful or confused, you should consult a medical professional for advice.

Your Body at Week 24

After twenty-four weeks of being pregnant, you will have gained around 15 pounds (6-7kg) and will likely be showing some signs of weight gain. This should be seen as a positive, it is recommended to gain around a pound a week throughout the pregnancy to help sustain and nourish the development of your unborn baby.

It may also be a good time to invest in some larger, more comfortable and stretchy clothes, if you haven’t already done so. Your baby will start to grow rapidly as you approach and enter the third trimester, and it is better to be prepared before your body changes too much. Lightweight and breathable clothes are recommended for pregnant women, as they reduce the risk of overheating and allow you to remain in certain positions more comfortably for longer.

If you haven’t noticed any changes to your body externally, you’re probably feeling the changes from within. In fact, many women experience Braxton Hicks contractions when they are 24 weeks pregnant. These phantom contractions can last for around 10 minutes and are a result of your body preparing for the final day of pregnancy and the birth of your baby. If you experienced prolonged contractions, or rhythmic contractions, you should consult your doctor for advice.

Baby Size at Week 24

At 24 weeks pregnant, your baby is the same size as a cantaloupe.  It measures between 21 to 23 centimetres and weighs almost 700 grams – which means that your baby has gained around 100 grams in recent weeks. You have been pregnant for 6 months now and are closing in on the third trimester. The developmental changes that your baby will undergo in the coming weeks is a quite spectacular.

The fetus at 24 weeks old has white hairs across its whole body that have not yet acquired pigment. It will also have a little face with almost fully formed features, though its skin will still be translucent.

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Week 24 Pregnant Ultrasound

It is not common for a medical practitioner to schedule a 24 weeks pregnancy ultrasound unless there were some discrepancies or concerns about the pregnancy. Most mid-pregnancy scans take place between weeks 18 and 22. If you do have an ultrasound in week 24, though, you will likely see that your baby inside your womb is looking increasingly like a human, and will have most of its limbs in proportion to its body.

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