7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 682-9222 • Open Weekdays 8:00 - 5:00
PREGNANCY TIMELINE: WEEK 24
You've been increasingly aware of your little companion for months. You are now aware of your baby's movements and may even be able to tell the sleep/wake cycle of your little one. Now your baby can make out a distorted version of your voice, the beating of your heart, and your stomach rumblings. Just as baby's actions affect you, so do your actions affect baby. Keep in touch these last few months - you don't have to wait for birth to have a relationship with your little papoose.
Week Overview 24:
Your baby is almost completely formed and is beginning to deposit brown fat on his or her body. Brown fat enables your baby to retain body heat. The baby's face and body resemble that of an infant at birth.
Babies born at this point have some chances of survival in a neonatal intensive care unit. Premature babies usually remain in this unit for several weeks.
Baby's Physical Development
- Crown-to-rump, baby measures 8.4 inches long and weighs about 1.2 pounds
- Rapid eye movement begins
- Eyes open and shut frequently
Your uterus is now about 1.5 to 2 inches above the bellybutton. Room in the womb is getting scarce. Your baby almost fills the space in your uterus by now, but don't worry - there's plenty of room for expansion.
Your doctor may want to perform a CBC (complete blood count) at this time to check for signs of anemia (low blood count) and infection. A small sample of the mother's blood is needed to do this test.
Some women, about 4 percent, develop diabetes only during pregnancy. After pregnancy is over nearly all women who experience this problem return to normal. Gestational diabetes is caused by the reduced amount of insulin produced during pregnancy and the inability of Mom's body to use insulin properly. Gestational diabetes can be controlled through a strict diet, regular exercise, and increased fluid intake. If may be necessary for Mom to self-test her blood sugar level several times a day. Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition and if doctor's orders are strictly followed, no problems should result for either Mom or baby.
About this time you may begin getting stretch marks and forming a linea negra (the dark line between your belly button and pubic bone). The linea negra will disappear and the stretch marks will eventually fade.
Time to Start Thinking About
A growing collection of research shows there are ways you can get a head start on a strong relationship. Ways to create a strong baby bond include:
Start a running conversation: Right now baby won't understand your words, but he will recognize your rhythm and pitch, and studies show he'll prefer your voice to others after he's born.
Eating for two: Pregnant mothers who eat highly fragrant meals pass their gastronomic preferences on to their babies via the amniotic fluid - and that can make offspring more receptive to those flavors as infants.
Play it again Sam: Music that makes you happy and relaxed is likely to do the same for your baby. Research has shown that fetuses prefer melodic, slow-paced music to hard rock, which can startle sensitive ears. Many moms who frequently played or sang a certain song to their babies while pregnant report that their newborns are comforted by these melodies after birth.
Tips for Mom
Now that you are in your 24th week of pregnancy it is important that you are able to recognize the signs of premature labor. Signs of premature labor include:
- Contractions or cramps, more than 5 in one hour
- Bright red blood from your vagina
- Swelling or puffiness of the face or hands, a sign of preeclampsia
- Pain during urination, possible urinary tract, bladder or kidney infection
- Sharp or prolonged pain in your stomach (preeclampsia signs)
- Acute or continuous vomiting (preeclampsia signs)
- Sudden gush of clear, watery fluid from your vagina
- Low, dull backache
- Intense pelvic pressure
Call your practitioner if you experience any of the above conditions.
Tips for Dad
Mom's belly is really starting to stretch and the skin can become quite itchy. Pick up some soothing balm or calamine lotion to ease the itching. And don't forget those massages! Nothing relaxes Mom, or takes her mind her troubles like a nice relaxing massage.
Complications to Watch For
Most pregnancies occur without any complications or problems. But there are times when your physician should be contacted immediately. The following list contains symptoms to be aware of during pregnancy.
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe swelling of the fingers and face
- Severe abdominal pain
- Loss of fluid from the vagina, usually a gush of fluid, but sometimes a trickle or continual wetness
- A big change in the baby's movements or a lack of movement
- High fever (more than 101.6F;38.7C) or chills
- Severe vomiting or an inability to keep food or liquid down
- Blurring of vision
- Painful urination
- A headache that won't go away or a severe headache
- An injury or accident, such as a fall or automobile accident, that causes you concern about the well-being of your pregnancy
Prenatal Care Checklist
- Lying on your left side with a firm pillow under your head will usually be the most comfortable position for sleeping. This position brings more oxygen to the baby and eases the load on your kidneys.
- Try a body pillow.
- Bath water should not exceed 100 degrees F. Saunas and hot tubs are off limits.
- Do not douche or use tampons. Take a warm bath or use pads instead.
- You should not be changing the kitty litter because harmful parasites may be present.
- Travel is okay as long as you don't travel far from home during the last month of pregnancy. Check with your doctor first if a travel emergency arises.
- Seatbelts will not harm your fetus.
- Use both shoulder and lap belts and make sure to place the lap belt under your belly, across the hips and thighs.
- Avoid contact with any harmful chemicals or fumes.
7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 682-9222; Fax: (901) 682-9505