24 Weeks Pregnant — Your Baby Is The Size Of A Burrito

Welcome to Scary Mommy’s pregnancy week by week guide! We’re here to give you all the info about what to expect when you’re expecting: be it week by week symptoms, your baby’s development, your changing body, or ultrasounds and appointments. Here’s everything you need to know about week 24.

Your Body at Week 24 Pregnant

You’re Itchy

Now that your body is stretching to accommodate your pregnancy, you may start to get a little itchy — especially on your abdomen and breasts. The whole stretching thing may be making your skin dry, so don’t be afraid to slather on that moisturizer.

You’re Tearing Up More

Nope, we’re not talking about your swirling hormones that make you cry during the weather report on the local news — your eyes may be getting more sensitive and dry than usual now that you’re pregnant. If using artificial tears helps with that, go for it.

Got Milk?

Even though you still have a way to go, you may start to notice that you’re developing small amounts of breast milk. This stuff is called colostrum and don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal and may happen throughout the rest of your pregnant. But also, don’t panic if it’s not happening, because that’s totally fine and normal, too.

Your Baby at Week 24

At 24 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a burrito, weighing in at around 1 ¼ to 1 ½ pounds and is approximately 12 ½ inches long. It’s getting there!

This is an exciting time for your baby, because it is quickly developing brains, like a teeny tiny version of the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz, only in your uterus. It’s taste buds and lungs are also starting to form, along with a substance called surfactant, which is made of fats and lipids, and is necessary for the baby’s air sacs to inflate. Not as crucial but even more adorable, your baby is also starting to grow eyelashes and eyebrows.

Your Symptoms and Health at Week 24 Pregnant

Your Poor Back

It’s not your imagination: your back is probably starting to hurt a lot. Aside from the extra wear and tear of pregnancy, this happens because you’re getting used to a new center of gravity thanks to that bump on your abdomen. And not only that, but your uterus is putting all sorts of new pressure on your body, which makes it tough on your lower back, especially.

If it gets really painful, it’s something you’re going to want to bring up to your doctor. Otherwise, try to get in the habit of bending at the knees while keeping your back straight (the classic pregnant person dip) when you’re picking something up, and don’t lift anything that’s too heavy. You also might want to try propping yourself up with pillows when you sit to help take the tension off your lower back.

Constipation Station

Though your bladder may be working overtime, the same cannot be said of your bowels, which may be pretty blocked up. As annoying as this is, it’s totally normal. Start with the usual tricks to get yourself moving again, like high-fiber foods, drinking lots of water, and getting around 30 minutes of exercise each day to loosen things up. If you try this and are still having issues, bring it up with your doctor.

Keep Eating Well

The good news is that your morning sickness and nausea should be subsiding, but the downside is that you may be hungry. All. The Damn. Time. This makes sense — you’re literally growing another human. Just make sure to make nutritious choices whenever possible, especially eating foods rich in iron, folate (a B vitamin), calcium, vitamin D, protein, and vitamin C.

(Blood) Sugar, Sugar

At this stage in your pregnancy, your doctor may request that you take a glucose test to screen for gestational diabetes. If you are part of the less than 10 percent of pregnant people who get gestational diabetes, don’t worry — it should go away once the baby is born and is treatable. If you’re noticing that you’re especially thirsty all the time and pee even more frequently than normal, those may be other signs of the condition.

Pay Attention to Pelvic Pain

If you experience frequent or severe pelvic or abdominal pain at any point, it’s a good idea to see your doctor right away. The same goes for bleeding, spotting, and leaking a clear, odorless fluid — especially if you haven’t been feeling your baby move around as much as usual.

Double Trouble

Your twins are around the same weight as singletons at this stage (maybe a little smaller since it’s a tighter fit). Over the next few weeks, they’ll start packing on more weight (so make sure you’re eating well to support them in their quest to gain).

Your skin might be itchy where it’s stretching around the bump. Rubbing moisturizer or natural oils should help relieve the itch and may reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Staying hydrated should also help with this – drink at least a half gallon of water a day.

The contents of this article have been medically reviewed by Ruth A. Tessler, M.D. in July, 2019.

Written by Elizabeth Yuko.

Follow Preggo Nancy’s pregnancy journey week-by-week and share in her joy, her symptoms, and even her pregnancy cravings.

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