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You are here: Home » Pregnancy » Pregnancy Week by Week » Week 24 Pregnancy: Fetal Movement & The Bump
week 24 pregnancy fetal movement & the bump

Week 24 Pregnancy: Fetal Movement & The Bump

July 6, 2017 //  by Katie Griffin

Congratulations!  You are now in week 24 of your pregnancy — 22 weeks from conception. You may feel like you’ve been pregnant forever already, or that baby is still forever away. Or you may feel both of these things! (Feeling all the things is totally normal!) So, let’s take a look at what’s going on with you and baby this week!

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Table of contents

  • Week 24 Pregnancy: The Bump
  • Week 24 Pregnancy: Fetal Movement
    • Anterior Placenta
    • Home Doppler
  • Week 24 Pregnancy: Baby’s Development
  • Week 24 Pregnancy: Symptoms
    • Swelling

Week 24 Pregnancy: The Bump

At 24 weeks, your little one has reached a crown-to-heel length of 11.2 – 12 inches.  She weighs about 1 lb, 10 ounces (3). Or, in our beloved farmers-market terms, your baby is about the same length as an ear of corn!

week 24 pregnancy fruit corn

The bump is growing, too!  Your uterus is now at the height of about 1 1/2 to 2 inches above your belly button, which means things are getting pretty crowded in your abdomen.  And, the fundal measurement is almost 10 inches from the pubic symphysis to your naval.

week 24 pregnancy the bump

Week 24 Pregnancy: Fetal Movement

Anterior Placenta

Your ability to feel fetal movement may depend on the position of your placenta.  The placenta is typically located at the top of the uterus.  However, an anterior placenta is located at the front of the uterus instead.  If you have an anterior placenta, most of the fetal movement — your baby’s kicks and punches — may be hidden behind the placenta (5).  In this case, it may take a little longer for you to be able to feel baby’s first movements.

Home Doppler

When there’s concern about fetal movement, home doppler units have become a popular way to check baby’s heartbeat.  However, these are not recommended as a tool to self-monitor the health of your baby.  If you have any concerns about fetal movement, it’s best to reach out to your healthcare provider, because they can perform a complete assessment and because they are best qualified to interpret your baby’s heartbeat.

week 24 pregnancy fetal movement

Week 24 Pregnancy: Baby’s Development

Week 24 is full of exciting changes for your little one! For example:

  • Alveoli are beginning to form in the lungs (3)
  • Respiratory movements are beginning to occur
  • The hair on baby’s head is growing long. Also, eyebrows & eyelashes have formed.
  • Baby has a reflex hand grip, also called a grasp reflex

Week 24 Pregnancy: Symptoms

Swelling

Fun fact: 75% of all pregnant women experience swollen fingers, ankles, and feet (1).  The causes of this swelling are increases in blood and fluid volume during pregnancy.  A handful of lucky women won’t be troubled by swelling. However, if swelling is a problem for you, you can try some of the following tips:

  • Avoid standing for long periods of time
  • Wear supportive tights or prescription compression stockings, especially if you need to be on your feet
  • Eat foods high in potassium; for example raisins and bananas
  • Flex your feet and ankles regularly when sitting
week 24 pregnancy swelling

Check back in soon to learn about all about week 25 of your pregnancy! And if you haven’t done so, catch up by looking back at week 23.

Kopa Birth’s online birthing classes allow you to prepare for natural childbirth in the comfort of your own home, 24/7. Enroll today in our free online childbirth class to learn more about preparing for natural childbirth. 

References:

  1. Glade, B.C., Schuler, J. (2011). Your Pregnancy Week by Week, 7th edition. First Da Capo Press.
  2. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2010). Your Pregnancy and Childbirth Month to Month, 5th edition.
  3. Ladewig, P.A., London, M.L., Davidson, M.R. (2006). Contemporary Maternal-Newborn Nursing Care, 6th edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ.
  4. Retrieved at http://parentingpatch.com/how-big-is-your-baby-week-week-food-comparisons/
  5. Retrieved at http://spinningbabies.com/learn-more/baby-positions/anterior-placenta/

Here are some other birth articles and stories we know you’ll love.

  • Second Trimester Pregnancy & Movement: The Ultimate Guide
  • Week 22 Pregnancy: Baby Movement & More
  • Pregnancy Depression, Anxiety, & Stress
  • Week 15 Pregnancy: Baby Movement, Bump Size & Symptoms
  • Week 19 Pregnancy: Twins, Symptoms & Facts

Category: Pregnancy Week by WeekTag: second trimester

About Katie Griffin

Katie Griffin, Founder of Kopa Birth,® is a Registered Nurse, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, and mom of 7. Using her nursing background and 11+ years of experience teaching birthing classes, Katie has become an expert in the field of natural hospital birth. Kopabirth.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and observation, and all posts are current and evidence-based. Katie is also the instructor for the KOPA® PREPARED online childbirth course and offers online coaching for pregnancy and natural birth.

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