Pregnancy Week by Week 24 Weeks Pregnant
At 24 weeks pregnant, even if you wanted to, there’s no denying you are pregnant. It is a choice how you see your pregnancy and the changes that go with it. This is a time to see your full potential and use it. This is a unique and rare time of your life. It will be over before you know it, so make the most of it.
MOM
Increased hair growth will be desirable on your head, but the growth elsewhere will not be as welcome. It will be OK, the other hair growth will stop after the baby is born and you will return to your relatively less hairy self.
You may also start noticing Braxton Hicks contractions, which is your uterus practising for labour. Your abdomen will feel hard when you have these contractions. This is a normal part of pregnancy and you may feel them occasionally from now on. If your contractions start to become stronger, increase in frequency and last longer, contact your doctor or midwife.
BABY
The baby is now a foot long and weighs in at about 1 1/3 pounds. The lungs are creating branches. The central nervous system, circulatory systems are further developing along with other systems. If your baby was born at this stage it may be mature enough to have a chance of survival in a neonatal intensive care unit Movement slows down due to the lack of playroom space as your baby grows. The amniotic fluid is increasing for your baby.
Your baby’s ears are fully functioning at 24 weeks pregnant. Let the baby recognize family members by their “nice voice”. Hearing all the wonderful sounds of you living (heart beating, lungs breathing, food digesting, and more) becomes normal and soothing to your baby. It is one of the things that make mom the one who is most comforting to her baby. The inner ear is also developed and your baby is figuring out what direction he or she is hanging out and your baby can feel your movements.
LIFE
If you haven’t signed up for childbirth classes, now is the time. They are the source for many a comedy scene, but they are beneficial in other ways. It is fun sharing with other couples. It is more than learning to breath. There is also some parenting education included.
You and your partner may see each other in a different light. It can cause some tension when you didn’t mind him scratching himself openly and now you yell at him because you don’t want him having that bad habit or any other bad habit when there is a baby around. Take a breath and realize there is plenty of time to ease into kid friendly and appropriate behavior. Babies are too busy eating, sleeping, pooping, and wetting themselves to have time trying to copy dad scratching himself!
Lots of people like to touch your belly. Be honest if you don’t like it and politely let people know how you feel. If it doesn’t bother you, it can be fun to share your unique experience.
Use your energy wisely during this time to get the things needed done. Don’t get so busy you don’t have time to enjoy the experience of being pregnant. There will come a time when you will miss these days of your pregnancy.
