Your growing baby
Your baby is about the size of a small cantaloupe melon (600g) and measures 30cm (head to heel).
Baby is now gaining approximately 90g each week. The brain is growing and developing at a fast rate. At this stage your baby is starting to fill out and the deep wrinkles on the skin are gradually disappearing. The skin is becoming a little less translucent as pigment starts to deposit.
The lungs are now forming the branches of the respiratory system as well as surfactant cells. These cells produce a substance that will help the tiny alveoli or air sacs, to inflate after birth.
Your baby’s face is now completely formed and has eyebrows, lashes and hair. But, because there is no pigment yet, all the hair is white
It may feel that your baby is moving constantly at times and hiccups could be causing its little body to jolt. Your baby can hear all sorts of noises now, both inside and outside the uterus.
Pregnancy week 24 – What’s happening to you
Your uterus has risen above your belly button and you may start to experience indigestion and heartburn as your growing abdomen puts pressure on your digestive system.
Pregnancy hormones decreases tear production, which causes dry eyes and irritation. You may also find that your vision has become slightly blurred. This is because hormones have caused an increase in the curvature of your eye, which changes your vision. These changes are temporary and will disappear once the baby is born.
You may notice that your skin, especially over your bump, is itchy. This is caused by pregnancy hormones and the increased volume of blood in the body. Wearing loose clothing in breathable fabrics such as cotton, and taking cool baths or showers can help.
Always tell you GP if the itching becomes severe, especially at night and if it is affecting the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, as this could be a sign of obstetric cholestasis, a rare pregnancy liver disease.
Need to know
Things for you to consider during week 24 of your pregnancy
As your baby is now so good at picking up sounds, get your partner to talk to it so that it becomes familiar with the sound of your partner’s voice. You may notice after a while that you can feel a change in your baby’s movements when it hears your partner’s voice.
Eating, smaller, more frequent meals and taking a walk after you’ve eaten will help to ease heartburn.
You should have booked any antenatal classes by now.
If dry eyes are causing you a problem ask your GP about lubricating drops.