What is happening in week 24
Doctors count pregnancy weeks from the first day of your last period, so week 24 sits in the second trimester (week 14 to week 27). That is about 16 weeks to go until week 40, and about 5.5 months by a rough conversion. By week 24 the baby is about 30cm long and is considered viable with specialist care.
Your baby
The NHS guide gives about 30cm, a corn on the cob. Everything is in proportion but the baby is still smaller than one carried longer. The NHS says a baby is now considered viable, meaning it could survive if born, with support from a neonatal unit.
Your body
You may feel hungrier and notice weight gain. Pains in the ribs, back and sides of the bump are common, as are leg cramps and heartburn.
This week’s to-do
- Begin thinking about a birth plan and discuss it with your family and doctor.
- Start planning contraception for after the birth.
- Eat when hungry, choosing nourishing foods; extra calories are not needed until week 28.
When to call
Call your doctor or hospital if you have any bleeding, or if you feel anxious or low.
Chaitanya Hospital in Kadapa, near RTC Bus Stand, Simhapuri Colony, provides delivery and emergency care 24/7. Our antenatal check-ups team can answer questions about your own pregnancy.
Use the week-by-week guide to jump to your week, or the due date calculator to work out your dates. Timings for scans and tests come from NHS guidance in the UK and can differ from your doctor’s schedule, so always follow your own doctor’s advice. This page is educational and not a substitute for a doctor.
Sources
Text on this page is paraphrased from the sources above. Sizes are averages and vary between babies.