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24 Weeks Pregnant (Fetal Age 22 Weeks)

Your baby now knows what is up and down

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23 weeks pregnant

25 weeks pregnant

24 weeks pregnant, this is a great time for pregnancy yoga, to start preparing your body and mind for childbirth.

Your baby continues to grow and the uterus is becoming slightly snugger. However, there is still plenty of room for your baby to kick hard enough to wake you up at night.

The coolest new ability of your baby this week, is knowing what is up and down.

Your Baby

24 weeks pregnant, your baby measures almost a foot long.

Weighing approximately 4 ounces more than last week, this growing spurt will continue for some time now and will soon take on a more plump appearance. Most of the weight gained now for your baby will consist of muscle weight and the brown fatty deposits in the skin that helps retain the body temperature.

The brain is developing rapidly at this time, along with the baby's taste buds. Quit smoking and really stay away from alcohol, and eat healthy foods to promote your baby's development!

The lungs have now begun the branches of their respiratory tree along with the cells that produce surfactant, the substance that helps the air sacs inflate once your little one is introduced to the outside world. The lack of enough surfactant is one of the reasons for premature babies to need help breathing, since their lungs are not mature enough to function on their own.

Although the eyes are shut tightly, the facial features of your new baby are practically complete with hair on the scalp, eyelashes and eyebrows. Just a thinner version of what is to come, many parents who get an ultrasound during this time can have the opportunity to keep a photograph of their baby which will undoubtedly resemble their new addition a few more weeks down the road.

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Mom's Body

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24 weeks pregnant, the top of your uterus is above your belly button now and your pregnant belly is likely to have round, beautiful shape. No wonder you are having troubles bending over and sitting comfortably at times!

Continuous stretching of the skin can make your belly irritated and dry, so be sure to use that moisturizer. Here is a good one, available at Amazon. each day to help alleviate any dryness or irritation that you may feel. Be sure to take in lots of fluids each day to help keep your body from retaining water and any constipation problems that you may have until now.

Your mucus membranes may have swollen due to the increase in blood flow, which can make you feel like you have a constant head cold and stuffy nose. Some women find that this affects them only at night, while others have no symptoms at all.

Saline drops in the nose can sometimes help aid these symptoms while other women tend to put up with this temporary side effect until it dissipates with the birth of their baby.

Each woman's pregnancy is different, and if you have any concerns be sure to discuss them with your health care provider.

You may have to go for your blood glucose-screening test soon if you haven't done so already. This test helps to check for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy related elevated blood sugar condition. If left untreated, it can increase your chances of having a difficult vaginal delivery or even a cesarean section since your baby will grow too large as well as other complications.

Low blood sugar for your baby right after birth can also pose problems, so be sure to talk this over with your doctor during your next prenatal visit.

Isn't it wonderful to be pregnant!?

All these weird things happening with your body! If you want to have a good laugh about it, read this hilarious book from someone who's definitely "been there, done that".

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24 Weeks Pregnant Video

If seeing means believing for you; watch this video explaining the 24th week of pregnancy in pictures and words.

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23 weeks pregnant

25 weeks pregnant

Diary of a Daughter

What's it really like being 24 weeks pregnant...? Here's a true diary from a 24 weeks pregnant mom-to-be. (Me..!)

Diary Of A Daughter

Sick again. Second stomach infection in two weeks, I can't believe it! I am so exhausted.
I actually lost 3 pounds, so now my total weight gain is only 10 pounds. Too little, actually, according to my midwife.

My baby continues to wake me up every night.

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References:
MayoClinic (2011), Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
Joanne Stone MD and Keith Eddleman MD (2008) The Pregnancy Bible: Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood
Nilsson, L; Hamberger, L. (2004) A Child Is Born.
Soderberg, L. (2010) Mammapraktika. B Wahlstroms.

Top Image shared by Lenny