Your baby's face is nearly fully formed!
your baby this week:
Your baby is continuing to grow and mature at a fast pace and will now gain about 6 ounces of weight every week. Their brain is growing rapidly, and their taste buds are developing. Your little one has also begun growing white blood cells, which help to fight off disease and infection on the outside.
Still pretty lean at 24 weeks, your little one will soon be putting on some baby fat! This will fill out their frame; and that wrinkled skin, which is caused by a lack of subcutaneous fat, will pad out.
Also this week, your baby’s lungs will develop branches. And now that their inner ear is completely developed, they have basic control over their sense of hearing, touching, tasting, smelling, and seeing!
your body:
It may be hard to believe, but your third trimester of pregnancy is just around the corner! You've probably heard your midwife, doctor, and others talking about Braxton Hicks by now too. And during week 24, you may feel contractions in your uterus and begin to wonder... labor, or Braxton Hicks? There's a good chance you're experiencing the Braxton Hicks contractions. They are usually nothing to worry about and most commonly occur in the third trimester, to help your uterine muscles prepare for childbirth.
A typical Braxton Hicks contraction lasts between 15 and 30 seconds and should feel between completely painless and mildly uncomfortable. These contractions are not an indication of labor unless they are accompanied by vaginal discharge and pelvic, abdominal, or back pain.
At 24 weeks, it's better to be safe than sorry. Now is a good time to learn what the signs of preterm or premature labor look like. Talk to your midwife or doctor and ask if you have any reason to be concerned. In the meantime, preterm or premature labor looks like: swelling in the hands or face; constant or severe vomiting; an increase or change in vaginal discharge, including a rush of amniotic fluid or blood; a low, dull backache; pain while urinating; sharp pains in your stomach; more than five contractions or sharp cramps within a one- hour period; and intense pelvic pressure (feels like the baby is pushing down, or like you might need to go poop). If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your midwife or doctor immediately.
Louise Broadbridge - Our Expert Midwife
Hi, my name is Louise, I am a Registered Midwife, founder of Let's Talk Birth and Baby and the face behind Instagram's The Honest Midwife. I have worked in health settings for the past 30 years, the majority of which have been working in children and family settings.
your tips & to do's:
I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it... When it comes down to the absolute basics, the nursery list of must-haves is relatively short. You need a place for your baby to sleep and a place where you can store things. There are many ways to create a great nursery, even if you don't have extra space or cash to work with.
For your baby's place to sleep, cribs are standard; but you can choose anything, like a portable mini-crib or a hand-carved, custom-made piece. Beyond cribs, your options include cradles, bassinets, baby hammocks, co-sleepers, and the family bed. Keep your lifestyle, budget, and design preferences in mind as you research the various, numerous choices out there.
Your baby is going to have a lot of stuff, and you'll need somewhere to put it all. Closet shelving, dressers, baskets, and stackable bins are all great options for creating an organized, functional area. Try to group things in a way that makes them readily and easily accessible. For example, store the diapers, wipes, creams, and a few onesies within an arm’s reach of your baby's changing table.
You'll also want to find a good space for your baby's towels, blankets, burp cloths, bibs... and something as simple as a shelf in your linen closet will work as well as a special basket, bin, or piece of furniture will.
Is your space or budget more on the limited side of life?
There is no need to spend money on, or create additional space for, a nursery set of multiple, matching pieces. Any standard dresser (the shorter, wider ones) can double as a changing table if you add a changing pad to the top. In fact, here is the truth: you will use a countertop, couch, bed, or blanket spread out on the floor as a changing area at some point, because they all get the job done. And you don't need a swanky glider and ottoman. Any chair can be sat in to snuggle with your baby. Park your rump on the couch or find an old recliner and re-cover its fabric. You can even use a bouncy exercise ball, which some babies find soothing. Plus it's likely to help you work off any lingering post-delivery baby weight, too.
Do whatever will work best for you and your family. If you are in a smaller apartment, an empty closet or a corner of your bedroom can serve as a cozy space for your little one. You can put the crib and glider in the family room, make a changing area in your bathroom or at the foot of your bed. Your baby's favorite place in your house will be wherever you are.
Take a side profile pregnancy picture and write in your pregnancy journal!
your symptoms
Here is a list of pregnancy symptoms commonly experienced during week 24.
- Swelling, or edema, in your ankles and/or feet
- Stretch marks and/or unwanted hair growth
- Thicker hair
- Stronger nails
- Braxton Hicks
- Bleeding and/or swollen gums
- Interrupted sleep
- Backaches and/or leg cramps
- Crazy dreams
- Fetal activity
Articles For You to Read This Week
How to Support Your Partner During Pregnancy
Finding out that you are expecting a baby is an exciting time. However, for many people, it can also be a scary time. You wonder you'll cope with the pregnancy...
The ABC's of Nursery Décor
Nursery décor can be a tricky business, however, don't worry, the perfect nursery for you and your little one is closer than you think. Creating a nursery is a great...
Pelvic Floor Exercises You Have to Try
Pelvic floor muscle exercises, otherwise called Kegel exercises, strengthen the muscles around your bladder, vagina and back passage. This can help to stop incontinence...
Our Top Rated Products to Buy This Week
10x10in Changeable Letter Board with Letters
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Motherhood Maternity Shapewear Underwear
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Boppy Pregnancy Wedge Pillow
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Chicco SmartSupport Aluminum Frame Backpack Carrier
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