Week 24 marks the end of the 6th month of pregnancy. You will now finally enter the last trimester and soon you will have your little bundle of joy in your arms.

How Big is Your Baby?

In week 24, your baby measures 0.5-to-11.8 inch and weighs 12.7 to 20.8 ounces. It's getting closer to the day when it will get to face the world outside.

Baby’s growth and development

The baby's transparent skin tends to become more of opaque in week 24 of your pregnancy. Now it has got a new pink glow, all because of the recently formed small capillaries. 

Mother's Development

The mother continues to gain weight. The weight gain is around 1/2 pound each week now. The uterus can be felt about 2 inches above the belly button during the 24th week. The skin of the breasts and tummy starts touching each other. The growing belly causes discomfort and itchiness to the mother. The doctor may recommend an ointment to help reduce the itching. The eyes may also become dry and sensitive during this period.

Backaches become a regular feature by now. They cause a lot of trouble and disrupt the mother’s sleep pattern. Along with the stretch marks, many women develop a dark line running down their abdomen through the belly button. It is about half an inch wide and is known as linea nigra. It is harmless and disappears after the delivery.

Complications

You must get your gestational diabetes tested in this week. This is a temporary condition wherein the mother’s body stops producing enough insulin during pregnancy. During the 24th- 28th week, the placenta produces a lot of hormones that can stop the production of insulin. If the test shows elevated levels of sugar, proper medical guidance is considered a must.

Diet

Increased consumption of vegetables is a must at this stage in order to ensure that the body gets a balanced amount of all the nutrients required. Avoid taking junk food as it may cause significant weight gain. Do not skip meals. Drink sufficient amount of water to prevent minor pregnancy problems such as UTI, dehydration and constipation. 

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