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Your pregnancy at Week 24

Highlights: #

Your Baby at Week 24 #

Bulking up
Your baby is putting on more weight, which includes accumulating baby fat, growing muscles, organs, and bones.

Rock-a-bye, baby
Baby's auditory system is advancing rapidly, allowing her to recognize and feel calmed by sounds she frequently hears in the womb.

White-haired baby
Your baby still has white eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair as they have yet to acquire pigment.

Your Body at Week 24 #

Belly button changes
As your uterus continues to expand, your belly button may pop out temporarily. It will return to normal after delivery.

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Numb wrists and fingers, known as carpal tunnel syndrome, can be caused by swelling and pressure on the nerve running through your wrist. Elevating your arms and avoiding repetitive motions can help alleviate symptoms.

Soothing red, itchy palms
Red and itchy palms are a relatively normal symptom during pregnancy. Mention it to your doctor to rule out complications like cholestasis of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms in Week 24 #

Constipation
Pregnancy hormones relax intestinal muscles, leading to constipation. Stay hydrated and consume water and juice to aid digestion.

Lower abdominal achiness
Stretching ligaments that support the expanding uterus can cause occasional lower abdominal achiness. If accompanied by fever, chills, or bleeding, consult your practitioner.

Blurred vision
Pregnancy hormones can decrease tear production and cause fluid buildup in the eye, leading to temporary blurred vision.

Migraines
Severe headaches with nausea or vision changes may indicate migraines. Keep a journal to identify triggers and discuss with your practitioner.

Leg cramps
Gently flexing your ankle and toes can help relieve leg cramps.

Swollen feet and ankles
Elevate your legs to prevent fluid retention that causes swollen feet and ankles.

Things to Take Care in Week 24 #

Get ready for the glucose screening
Between 24 and 28 weeks, you'll undergo a glucose screening to check for gestational diabetes. Modify your diet and increase activity if needed.

Take shorter showers
To combat dry skin during pregnancy, take short showers in warm water and use a mild cleanser. Consider using a warm-mist humidifier in your room.

See if a doula is right for you
Consider hiring a doula to support you emotionally during delivery. Some studies suggest it may reduce the need for interventions during childbirth.

Do some meal prep
Prepare nutritious meals and freeze leftovers for quick and healthy snacks during pregnancy.

Ease the sting of hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy. Keep the rectal area clean and avoid excessive wiping. Soaking in a warm bath can provide relief.

Not gaining enough weight?
Inadequate weight gain during pregnancy can lead to complications. Consult your doctor or midwife for advice on healthy weight gain.

Remember to floss
Good dental hygiene is linked to longer pregnancies. Brush and floss regularly to reduce the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis.

FAQs #

Question: Why is my belly button popping out during pregnancy?
Answer: The expanding uterus can cause your belly button to pop out temporarily. However, it will return to normal after delivery.

Question: Is it normal to have numb wrists and fingers during pregnancy?
Answer: Yes, numb wrists and fingers, known as carpal tunnel syndrome, can occur due to swelling and pressure on the nerve in the wrist. Elevating your arms and avoiding repetitive motions can help alleviate symptoms.

Question: Why do I experience red and itchy palms during pregnancy?
Answer: Red and itchy palms are relatively normal during pregnancy. However, mention it to your doctor to rule out complications like cholestasis of pregnancy.

Question: How can I relieve constipation during pregnancy?
Answer: Pregnancy hormones can relax intestinal muscles, leading to constipation. Stay hydrated and consume water and juice to aid digestion.

Question: What should I do about lower abdominal achiness during pregnancy?
Answer: Stretching ligaments that support the expanding uterus can cause occasional lower abdominal achiness. If accompanied by fever, chills, or bleeding, consult your practitioner.

Question: Why do I experience blurred vision during pregnancy?
Answer: Pregnancy hormones can decrease tear production and cause fluid buildup in the eye, leading to temporary blurred vision.

Question: How can I manage migraines during pregnancy?
Answer: Severe headaches with nausea or vision changes may indicate migraines. Keep a journal to identify triggers and discuss with your practitioner.

Question: What can I do to relieve leg cramps during pregnancy?
Answer: Gently flexing your ankle and toes can help relieve leg cramps.

Question: How can I reduce swelling in my feet and ankles during pregnancy?
Answer: Elevating your legs can help prevent fluid retention that causes swollen feet and ankles.

Question: When will I undergo the glucose screening for gestational diabetes?
Answer: The glucose screening is typically done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Question: How can I combat dry skin during pregnancy?
Answer: Take short showers in warm water and use a mild cleanser to combat dry skin. Consider using a warm-mist humidifier in your room.

Question: Should I consider hiring a doula for emotional support during delivery?
Answer: Hiring a doula can provide emotional support during delivery and may reduce the need for interventions during childbirth. Consider if it's right for you.

Question: How can I prepare nutritious meals during pregnancy?
Answer: Do some meal prep and freeze leftovers for quick and healthy snacks during pregnancy.

Question: What can I do to ease the discomfort of hemorrhoids during pregnancy?
Answer: Keep the rectal area clean and avoid excessive wiping. Soaking in a warm bath can provide relief.

Question: What should I do if I'm not gaining enough weight during pregnancy?
Answer: Inadequate weight gain during pregnancy can lead to complications. Consult your doctor or midwife for advice on healthy weight gain.

Question: Why is good dental hygiene important during pregnancy?
Answer: Good dental hygiene is linked to longer pregnancies. Brush and floss regularly to reduce the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis.