24 Weeks Pregnant - Trimester 2

Your Baby at 24 Weeks

As the baby’s brain connections get more adept at receiving signals from its receptor sensory organs, they will gradually be storing sensory experiences such as tastes of food that you share with them. They are very used to your soundscape - your heartbeat, your breathing, even your stomach gurgling - and can distinguish this muffled interior hubbub from all the new sounds from outside: music, your voice, your partners voice, plus all the other less pleasant noises.  So talk to your baby. Tell them what you’re up to, what you see, what you hear, even what you feel. From birth, your baby will recognise your voice,  and maybe even the music you liked to listen to during their staycation.

At 24 weeks, your baby is around the size of a papaya and is receiving signals from their receptor sensory organs, so they'll be able to hear their surroundings and your voice.

Your Body at 24 Weeks Pregnant

As your pregnancy progresses, try not to overdo things, whether at work, in the house, or during your leisure time. Even if you still feel perfectly fit, try to relax from time to time as your body is going through a lot to grow that little ball of energy inside. It is roughly around this time you may also start to feel little contractions, call Braxton Hicks.  They differ from labour contractions as they aren’t regular, and can often stop if you change your position.  If you are worried about these contractions, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare professional

Diet for Week 24 of Pregnancy

This is a good time to double check you are doing all you can to get enough iron in your diet. Why is it important? If your diet isn’t rich enough in iron, your baby may still get what they need – but it will come from your iron reserves, which means you run the risk of becoming low in iron, which can lead to anaemia if untreated. Anaemia can be exacerbated by childbirth. Iron-rich foods are meat – particularly red meat, poultry, fish, and egg yolks. Dried peas, beans and lentils, spinach, dried fruit, and iron-fortified breakfast cereals are also good providers. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, tomatoes, and strawberries, will help your body absorb iron from non-animal sources. In some cases, your doctor may want to prescribe an iron supplement, but don’t start taking one unless you’ve been directed to. No self-doctoring while pregnant!

Tips for Week 24 of Pregnancy

By now most pregnant women can see their bump, and others may notice also. Many people can’t resist making predictions on whether you’re having a girl or a boy based on the way you are “carrying.” Although it is common to think where the bump sits on the mother determines its sex – up high means it’s a girl, down low by the hips is a boy for sure (or some variation on those beliefs)!  This is a completely unfounded belief. Though all the predictions can be fun, if you really want to know the sex of your baby, ask your doctor during an ultrasound.