24 weeks pregnant
At 24 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a corn cob: around 30.0 cm head to heel and 600 g. The lungs are growing branches and cells that make surfactant, which helps them inflate.
Your baby at 24 weeks
The lungs are growing branches and cells that make surfactant, which helps them inflate.
| Size | About the size of a corn cob |
|---|---|
| Length | 30.0 cm head to heel |
| Weight | 600 g |
Your baby's lungs are developing branches and the cells that make surfactant, a substance that helps the lungs inflate after birth. This is an important milestone: babies born from around 24 weeks have a chance of surviving with specialist neonatal intensive care, though they face many challenges. Your baby's face is almost fully formed, with eyelashes and eyebrows.
How far along are you at 24 weeks?
At 24 weeks pregnant you are in the sixth month of your pregnancy and the second trimester. You have about 16 weeks to go until your due date. Doctors count pregnancy from the first day of your last period, not from conception, so at 24 weeks your baby has been growing for about 22 weeks. Not sure of your dates? Use our due date calculator.
Your body at 24 weeks
Leg cramps and heartburn are common. A glucose test for gestational diabetes is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks.
Common symptoms at 24 weeks
Every pregnancy is different, and you may have some, all or none of these.
- An itchy tummy. Stretching skin can feel dry and itchy.
- Tingling hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by swelling in the wrist, is common.
- Braxton Hicks. More noticeable now, especially when you are active.
- Backache. Your joints are loosening and your bump is growing.
- Dry, sore eyes. Hormones can reduce tear production.
- Constipation. Keep up fibre, fluids and gentle exercise.
Your checklist for week 24
- Have your glucose test between 24 and 28 weeks if offered.
- Start getting to know your baby's pattern of movements: when they are active and how they move.
- If this is your first baby, you may have an extra check-up around 25 weeks to measure your bump.
- Make a note of your maternity unit's number and save it in your phone.
- Start thinking about baby names; try our name finder.
Tip of the week: Know your baby's movements
From around 24 weeks, your baby will settle into a pattern of movements. There is no set number of kicks you should feel; what matters is your baby's usual pattern. If movements slow down, stop or change, contact your maternity unit straight away, day or night. Don't wait until the next day, and don't rely on home heartbeat monitors. Read about baby movements and kick counting.
For your partner
Leg cramps and heartburn can ruin sleep.
- Rub her calves when cramps hit
- Keep antacids her doctor approved at home
- Look into paternity leave
When to call your doctor at 24 weeks
Contact your doctor, midwife or maternity unit the same day if you have:
- Your baby is moving less than usual, or you've noticed a change in the pattern.
- Regular tightenings, bleeding, fluid leaking or signs of pre-eclampsia.
Call your doctor or hospital straight away for bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, severe headache or vision changes, or fewer baby movements.
Questions about 24 weeks pregnant
What happens if a baby is born at 24 weeks?
Babies born at 24 weeks need specialist neonatal intensive care, often for many weeks. With good care, many survive, but there is a significant risk of long-term health problems. Every extra week in the womb makes a big difference.
What is the glucose tolerance test?
You fast overnight, have a blood test, then drink a sugary drink. More blood is taken after one or two hours to see how your body handles sugar. It is the main test for gestational diabetes and is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks.
Why do my hands tingle?
Fluid build-up can press on a nerve in your wrist, causing carpal tunnel syndrome: tingling, numbness or pain in your fingers, often worse at night. Wrist splints can help, and it usually goes away after the birth.