Your Pregnancy: Week 24

Now that you’re 24 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you might be dealing with:

Bleeding gums
This is a strange one, but it’s totally common. Thanks to the hormonal changes that are (still) going on in your body and changes in saliva, you may notice your gums are bleeding when you brush your teeth. Don’t worry — they’ll probably go back to normal after you give birth.

Stretch marks
If you haven’t already noticed stretch marks beginning to form, you may start seeing them this week, especially on and near your tummy. This is totally common, and keeping your skin moisturized will help if they become itchy.

Back pain
Now that you have a pretty sizable bump, you may notice that your back is paying for it. If you’re in pain, remember to take a break, especially if you spend a lot of the day on your feet.

Constipation
Being pregnant really does a number on our digestive systems, and you may find that things in that department have really slowed down. Up that fiber intake and keep that water coming!

In week 24 of pregnancy, how many months along are you? You can confidently say you are six months pregnant.

Though most pregnant people won’t receive an ultrasound at 24 weeks pregnant, you can rest assured knowing that your fetus is working hard to develop and grow in there! At 24 weeks, the fetus’ skin is becoming less and less transparent, though their hair still doesn’t have a color yet! The most fun part of baby’s development at this point? You might notice they jump or move if they’re startled!

These days, your baby weighs a little over a pound and is almost 12 inches long — impressive! You are probably noticing that your belly is getting bigger and bigger, practically by the week, and at this point, many pregnant people have put on around 15 pounds (though everyone is different).

Surprise! Some women actually start lactating around this time in their pregnancy, though others won’t start until the third trimester (and some will never have to deal with leaking at all). If this is happening to you, don’t be alarmed — it’s totally normal. If your breasts haven’t leaked colostrum yet, it’s not a bad idea to have some breast pads on hand so you’re not caught off guard when you need them.

Here’s what to add to your to-do list this week:

• Schedule your glucose test. Around this point in your pregnancy, you’ll likely have to pop into the OB-GYN to drink a sugary drink to test for gestational diabetes. It’s not the best flavor in the world, but it is an important test!
• Stay hydrated. It’s important to help keep constipation at bay, and you definitely want to drink plenty of water to help prevent painful Braxton Hicks contractions, too.
• Remember to rest. Your ankles and feet might be swollen, and at the end of the day, you might find you have aches and pains you didn’t even realize were possible. Make sure you take time to rest — it’s important!
• Continue baby prep. If you’re feeling good, take advantage of it and continue working on the nursery, babyproofing, and any other pre-baby prep you might have on your list.

Now that you’re 24 weeks pregnant, it’s a good time to focus on Vitamin E, which can help prevent preeclampsia and help your cells continue to protect you and your baby from outside dangers like pollution and harmful UV rays. Some good sources of Vitamin E are:

• Eggs
• Spinach
• Sunflower oil
• Avocado
• Peanut butter
• Pumpkin

If you notice the following symptoms — or anything else that concerns you — it might be time to call a doctor or head to the ER:

• Unusual bleeding
• Unusual cramping
• Swelling that seems abnormal or is in your face or hands, which could be a sign of preeclampsia
• Contractions that don’t stop when you lay down or drink water
• Itchy palms or feet, which may indicate a serious condition called cholestasis of pregnancy
• Frequent migraines that don’t get better with rest or hydration

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and death compared to non-pregnant women. Furthermore, pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk of delivering a baby before 37 weeks (preterm birth) and other adverse ramifications.

Note: If you are visiting a medical professional during COVID, make sure to ask about the facility’s safety measures and confirm that they are following COVID protocols as indicated by the CDC.

How’s the weight gain coming? According to American Pregnancy, if you’re 24 weeks pregnant with twins and have gained 24 pounds at this point, you will have reduced your chances of going into preterm labor. In all, most people who are pregnant with twins can expect to gain between 35-45 pounds, while those expecting triplets may gain 50-60 pounds, though your OB-GYN knows you and your situation best!