24 weeks pregnant: Baby development, symptoms and helpful tips
From baby’s brain growth to round ligament pain, here’s what to expect at 24 weeks pregnant.
At 24 weeks pregnant, you’re in your sixth month. You might know the sex of your baby and might even have started buying tiny socks and muslin cloths.
“Reaching 24 weeks is a really significant milestone in pregnancy. From now on the baby is viable, meaning that even if they were born prematurely there is a chance that they would survive, though they would need to be looked after in neonatal intensive care,” Dr. Philippa Kaye, a London-based GP who specialises in paediatrics and gynaecology, told MadeForMums.
From common symptoms you might be feeling and those new pains you’ve started feeling to how your baby is developing, we’ve got a guide on everything you need to know about being 24 weeks pregnant.
Your baby’s development at 24 weeks
At this stage, your baby does actually look like a baby — albeit a small one. They are about 30cm long, about the same size as a big ear of corn, and weigh about 600 grams.
“Their respiratory system is developing, meaning that although they aren’t using them, the lungs are developing. They begin to produce a substance called surfactant which is important for the tiny air sacs within the lungs,” Philippa says.
Your baby's brain and central nervous system are continuing to develop, and at this stage, the number of connections in the brain is increasingly quickly. They may also be making faces as their movements in-utero become more coordinated.
“The baby is still covered in fine hair called lanugo and they will have eyelashes, eyebrows and may even have some hair on their heads,” Philippa says. Their skin is gradually becoming less translucent, too.
Your body at 24 weeks pregnant: changes & what to expect
“Your bump is going to continue to get bigger and you will be gradually gaining weight,” Philippa says. The NHS says that you don’t need to be eating any more than you would usually yet — this comes in the third trimester.
As the bump expands, you might notice some cramping or aching pains on the sides of it. This is called round ligament pain, and it happens as the womb expands.
“You may also notice that you develop a darker line down the centre of your abdomen, often from the belly button downwards, this is called the linea nigra and is totally normal,” Philippa says.
“Many women will report that their skin becomes clearer and their hair feels lustrous and thicker, though others will report spots,” she says. “Some women will notice dark patches on their face called chloasma, again related to hormonal changes in pregnancy.”
“Your breasts will also be changing, often increasing in size and there may be some tenderness,” she says. “They may even begin to leak colostrum.”
Common symptoms and concerns in week 24
Here are some common symptoms at 24 weeks pregnant, and Philippa’s advice:
Cramps
“If you have cramping abdominal pain and it is associated with bleeding, you have regular bleeding, or it feels like contractions, please contact your medical team for advice,” Philippa says.
“If it is a more aching sensation in the sides of your bump then it may be due to round ligament pain (see above). Abdominal cramps can also be due to constipation. If you aren’t sure, get checked out.”
“Leg cramps are common, in particular at night. To try to prevent these, make sure you are well hydrated and try stretching exercises for your calves and legs,” she says.
Constipation
“This is due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy, which relax the smooth muscle of your intestine and slow down the passage through your guts — leading to constipation,” Philippa says.
“Make sure you are eating plenty of fibre, keep well hydrated, and exercise to try to prevent/relieve this. You can also discuss pregnancy safe laxatives with your pharmacist and antenatal team.”
Leaking nipples
“Leaking nipples can occur at any stage in pregnancy, though is more likely the further along you get,” she says. “You may be able to express colostrum, or it may simply leak from your nipples. Use nipple pads in your bra to keep the skin dry.”
“If there is pus or blood then please seek medical advice. If you have breast pain with swelling and redness, this may be an infection called mastitis.”
Brown discharge
“It is common to have changes to your discharge during pregnancy, and thrush can also be an issue. However, if you have red or brown discharge it could be due to bleeding, and this must be checked by your antenatal team,” Philippa says.
Swollen ankles
“You may notice that your feet begin to swell due to fluid retention. However, if your feet/ankles/hands swell very suddenly, you have a headache, nausea or changes in vision, please see your antenatal team as these can be signs of pre-eclampsia,” she says.
Rib pain
“This tends to occur during the third trimester of pregnancy but can occur earlier. As the bump gets bigger the ribs have to splay outwards in order to accommodate the pregnancy. This can lead to pain, often under the ribs at the side,” Philippa says.
“Or, rib pain can be related to the movements of the baby, to heart burn, or even breast pain.”
Lower back pain and pelvic pain
“The hormonal changes of pregnancy mean that there are changes in the pelvis which can lead to back pain,” she says.
“Keeping gently active is important. If your pain is severe or not manageable, see your antenatal team who can refer you to a women’s health physio for further advice and treatment.”
Heartburn and indigestion
“Heartburn and indigestion are common due to hormonal changes and because there is less room in your abdomen,” Philippa says.
“Eating plain, simple foods might help, as may avoiding fatty foods, spicy foods, pickles, caffeine and smoking. There are also various medications available to treat this which are safe in pregnancy, so please discuss this with your pharmacist and antenatal team.”
As always, if you are concerned about any symptom you might be having, please seek medical advice from your antenatal team.
Tips for a healthy pregnancy
As with the whole of your pregnancy, avoid alcohol and smoking, limit the amount of caffeine you drink, and avoid certain foods like raw fish and mouldy cheeses.
Philippa also has the following advice: “Try to avoid lying on your back for prolonged periods, and try to keep as physically active as possible while avoiding activities with a risk of contact or falling, like skiing or judo.”
It is recommended that pregnant women do 150 minutes of exercise a week.
And if you haven’t had it already, you are eligible for a whooping cough vaccine from week 16 to week 32 of pregnancy, which can protect your unborn baby from the infection.
The NHS suggests that you start doing pelvic floor exercises around 24 weeks, which will help prevent leakage during and after pregnancy, and aid your recovery after giving birth.