Pregnancy: 24 weeks

How the child grows:

The baby is growing steadily and weighs 115 grams more than last week. Since he is already almost 30 cm tall, he looks very thin, so very soon he will begin to gain weight proportionally. His brain is now developing rapidly, and his taste buds are developing. Cells are developing in his lungs that produce surfactant, a substance that will help the air sacs fill up at birth. His skin is still thin and translucent.

Important: Each baby's development is unique. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of fetal development.

Changes in the expectant mother

Over the past few weeks, the top of the uterus has risen above the belly button and is now the size of a football. Most women undergo a test to check their sugar load and detect gestational diabetes, a condition that is directly related to pregnancy. If left untreated, this condition can lead to complications during labor and the need for a cesarean section. This condition also increases the risk of the baby developing diabetes. Finally, important information on recognizing the symptoms of preterm labor. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned below.

3 Questions About... Premature Birth

More than 12 percent of babies in the United States are born prematurely (before 37 weeks). A quarter of these births are intentional, meaning that labor is induced by doctors because of a serious medical condition, such as severe or worsening preeclampsia or because the baby has stopped growing.

While there are some known risk factors for preterm labor, such as certain sexually transmitted infections, placental problems, or cervical insufficiency, in most cases no one knows for sure what causes preterm labor. That's why it's important for all pregnant women to know the symptoms of preterm labor and what to do.

• Symptoms of premature labor?

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms before 37 weeks of pregnancy:

• Increased vaginal discharge
• Change in the type of discharge - watery, mucous or bloody formations
• Any vaginal bleeding
• Abdominal pain similar to muscle cramps
• Increased pressure in the pelvic area
• Pain in the lumbar region
  
• What steps should be taken in case of premature birth?

If you have symptoms of preterm labor, call your doctor to discuss the next steps. They will likely refer you to the hospital, where doctors will take your and your baby’s pulse and check your urine for signs of infection. Your doctor will use a speculum to check for ruptured membranes, and a sample of your discharge may be sent to a lab to check for infection and to test for fetal fibronectin. This test looks at cervical and vaginal fluid and identifies the protein that connects the amniotic sac to the lining of the uterus. Between 24 and 34 weeks, increased levels of fibronectin mean that this “connector” is breaking down early.

• How will premature birth affect the health of the child?

The closer to the due date a baby is born, the greater the chance of survival and the less likely he or she is to develop health problems. Thanks to neonatal care, babies born from 24 weeks have a chance of survival, but they require more extensive medical interventions and stay in the intensive care unit for a long time.

The best thing you can do to reduce your risk of preterm labor is to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking drugs. Eat a balanced diet, follow all your doctor's instructions, and report any symptoms or concerns to your doctor.

This week's activity:

Take care of minor repairs. Discuss with your partner the minor repairs and schedule (these will be your partner's responsibility, as you cannot expose yourself to chemicals).

Add to the list of tasks to complete:

• Install or test smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and fire exits.
• Fix or get rid of all broken furniture.
• Paint the walls in the nursery, hang curtains, put together new furniture.

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