The 24th week of pregnancy marks the end of the 6th month of your pregnancy. In this chapter of our pregnancy calendar, we look at the question of when babies born prematurely are viable. You will also find out what symptoms can occur due to the growing uterus.
Your little belly dweller is around 29 centimetres tall in this week of pregnancy. This makes it about as long as a cucumber from head to heel. It's unbelievable how quickly your baby has developed from a tiny fertilised egg into a real human being over the past few months, isn't it?
SSW 24: Your baby is getting stronger
You have probably already felt it yourself: with each week of pregnancy, the baby's movements become stronger. In addition, the foetus's bones become increasingly firm and your little one can now sit upright in your belly. Its well-developed sense of balance helps it to orientate itself in space.
SSW 24: Little gourmet
Your baby's taste buds are now fully developed and it can taste different flavours from the sweet amniotic fluid. The more varied your diet during your pregnancy, the more nuances of flavour your little one will get to know while still in the womb. Incidentally, the amniotic fluid is no longer quite as clear as it was at the beginning, as it contains dead cells and hair as well as cheese smears.
Practical help for you:
Emergency service midwife Katharina explains the most important things about the maternity pass online.
Even if the baby's development progresses normally during pregnancy, many women are afraid of a premature birth. Could your baby survive outside the womb if it is born in the 24th week of pregnancy? In principle, survival outside the womb is possible in this week of pregnancy. This is due to the progressive maturation of the lungs. The surfactant has not yet formed in this week. However, the lungs are already fully functional. However, such extremely premature babies are dependent on intensive medical treatment for many weeks.
The following applies: babies born before the 22nd week of pregnancy generally have no chance of survival. With the completion of the 24th week of pregnancy, the probability of survival in Germany is currently over 60 per cent. Every week that your baby remains in the womb longer, the chance of survival increases further. At the same time, the risk of permanent damage decreases.
If there are signs of an imminent premature birth, attempts are therefore made to delay this as long as possible. If you have contractions in the 24th week of pregnancy, you should definitely contact your doctor. In addition to premature labour, there are other causes of premature birth, such as cervical insufficiency or premature rupture of the membranes. In such cases, the expectant mother often has to be hospitalised for a longer period of time. Physical rest (sometimes even consistent bed rest) is then also important.
Medication is administered in an attempt to prolong the pregnancy. At the same time, the mum is injected with an agent that promotes the baby's lung maturity. This should help the baby to have fewer problems breathing at an early stage of life.
However, a premature birth can also be triggered because the supply for the baby in the womb is no longer sufficient. In addition, the mother may develop a pregnancy condition for which it is important that the pregnancy ends quickly. This is, for example, pre-eclampsia or Hellp syndrome. In these cases too, attempts are made to allow the baby to mature in mum's womb for as long as possible. However, this requires close monitoring. This is usually ensured in the clinic by hospitalising the mother.
Not every contraction in the 24th week of pregnancy is a sign of an impending premature birth. Growing pains are common during this week. If you feel contractions, have them checked by your midwife or doctor. Then you can quickly be sure whether these contractions are normal or a sign of a possible premature birth.
In this week of pregnancy, the upper edge of the uterus is approximately at the level of the navel in many women. This is known as the fundal position. Your midwife will feel the position and size of your uterus at every check-up. This not only provides information about the size of the baby, but also about the amount of amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid level is then transferred to your Maternity passport registered. In our online workshop "Maternity passport" you can find out what the individual entries in this important booklet mean.
As the uterus now protrudes beyond the pelvis, the pressure on the bladder decreases and you will probably need to go to the toilet less frequently. At least until the growing baby has assumed its birthing position on the pelvis in the last few weeks of pregnancy and then presses on the bladder with its weight.
In general, most pregnant women feel very comfortable and active during this phase. At the same time, with a growing belly, it is quite normal for something to pinch or pull from time to time.
As a couple, you can now experience very special moments: Gradually, you will be able to feel your baby's movements through your abdominal wall. This means that the dad-to-be finally has the chance to feel his little one. While this was previously reserved for the mother, the pregnancy is now even more real for the partner.
Do you and your partner want to prepare for the birth and the baby adventure together? Then we recommend our comprehensive Birth preparation course also our workshop "Team partner". So the dad-to-be knows exactly what to do at the crucial moment, how it can support you.
SSW 24 - Pulling in the abdomen
Do you keep noticing a pulling sensation and slight pain in your lower abdomen? Many pregnant women are familiar with this feeling. It is usually caused by stretching of the maternal ligaments. These ligaments (the round ligament and the broad ligament) stabilise the uterus and keep it in an upright position. The more the uterus grows, the more the cervical ligaments are stretched. This can cause pulling pain in the right and left lower abdomen. This discomfort is particularly common after prolonged standing or walking. This pain, which is reminiscent of aching muscles, can also occur when you move quickly.
What can help? Treat yourself to a breather on the sofa. A cosy bath, gentle massage and a (not too hot) hot water bottle on your back also provide relief and relax the muscles.
In principle, these stretching pains are nothing to worry about. However, if they persist, get worse or are even accompanied by fever, vomiting and contractions, you should consult a doctor.
If you have a pregnancy in the 24th week of pregnancy Ultrasound examinationThis is how your baby is measured. This week it is about 29 centimetres long from crown to heel. The head circumference is approx. 22.5 centimetres and the abdominal circumference is 17 centimetres. His little feet are now around 4.5 centimetres long.
On average, babies in the 24th week of pregnancy weigh 550 grams. The weight is of course only an estimate. However, it can be calculated relatively reliably during an ultrasound scan. To do this, the doctor measures various structures of your baby. These include the head diameter (BPD), the abdominal circumference (AU), the diameter of the abdomen (ATD) and the length of the femur (FL). These measurements can then be used to determine the baby's approximate weight. The bigger your baby gets, the less accurate this weight estimate becomes.
Is this your first baby? Then you'll probably have lots of questions on your mind. How do I hold a baby properly? How can I tell if my baby is doing well? What do I need to bear in mind when taking a temperature? Many first-time parents have doubts as to whether they are doing everything right with their tiny human.
Midwife Katharina shows you in her Online infant care coursehow to lovingly care for your little one. The 12-part video course covers topics such as bonding, navel care, nappy changing, bathing and wrinkle care, and taking a temperature, Jaundice and the newborn's weight development. So you are perfectly prepared for the baby adventure.
You probably also want to start making a nice home for your baby. Many expectant mothers develop a pronounced nest-building instinct around the 14th week of pregnancy. You can now follow this if you feel like it. But if you want to wait a little longer, that's completely fine too.
But before you start, you should think about what your baby will need when it is born. What your baby has already learnt in the womb and what it needs to learn immediately after birth. The Online infant care course ideal.
A course is important for the preparation and knowledge you need. Your midwife will then help you with the practical aspects of postnatal care. Midwife Katharina will also help you with the video postnatal care programme to care for and handle your unique baby. You can conveniently watch a Consultation appointment book.
Our tip: Prepare for the exciting baby phase while you are still pregnant. You still have plenty of time and peace and quiet. It will certainly also increase your anticipation if you start thinking about nappy changing, bathing and baby care now.
