Your Pregnancy Week 24
|
||||||
 |
||||||
Your BabyYour baby is almost completely formed. He is now between 1.25 and 1.5 pounds and is about a foot long. He will continue to gain weight in muscles, developing organs and the deposit of brown fat. The purpose of the brown fat is to retain body heat. Newborns are notoriously bad at regulating body temperature at first. This is particularly a problem for a baby born early. Changes are occurring in lung development so that some babies are able to survive (with intensive care services). Surviving babies may have disabilities and require long-term intensive care. A good estimate is that a baby born now would usually stay in the NICU until their official due date. Your baby is totally unaffected by the Braxton Hicks contractions (a usually painless tightening of the uterus not affiliated with labor) you may be having as well. This time next year your baby will be 36 Weeks Old!. Can you believe it?
Time flies so fast! Be sure you start chronicling these memories now by creating your free pregnancy & baby journal today!
Article Continues Below
Your fundus (top of the uterus) will continue to grow and reaches approximately 1 ½ to 2 inches above your navel. You may be becoming more aware of your baby’s movement patterns, and can tell when he is sleeping or awake. In fact, it is not a bad idea to sleep or rest when you feel your baby resting.
You may start feeling a tightening of your uterus or abdomen from time to time. Don’t worry. This is normal and is your body practicing for the real thing. These are called Braxton Hicks contractions. In reality, the uterus actually contracts at all phases of a woman's life. However, we rarely notice this unless our uterus is full -- like it is now.
At your doctor’s appointments you will continue to be measured for fundal height, weight and asked how you are feeling. Between your 24th and 28th week, your doctor may order a glucose tolerance test to check your body for gestational diabetes, which occurs in some women.
Don't forget these experiences! Document them with your very own Free Online Pregnancy Journal! Makes a great keepsake that you can share with friends and family around the world and print for your baby book! Tons more great (and free!) stuff for expectant parents too!
|
||||||
 Discover Fun Facts about your baby's birthday!Want to know what your baby's birth stone and flower will be? How about when you'll be attending high school graduation ceremonies? Fill out this form to find out! Don't know your due date? Of Special Interest to Expecting Parents
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
