24th week of pregnancy for mother and baby - 6th month of pregnancy
You have reached the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy and this means that the sixth month of your journey has already begun, which will lead you to the moment of birth and the meeting with your baby. The growth of the fetus is proceeding smoothly also in this quarter and surely you have already had the opportunity to see it with the ultrasound. But what else do you need to know for the expectant mother? Before reading further, here is a video with the things not to do during pregnancy.
Symptoms
We have collected the typical symptoms of the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy. Here they are below.
- pain in the round ligament of the uterus
- constipation
- bloating and flatulence
- acid reflux, indigestion and heartburn
- fluid retention
- leg cramps
- nervous hunger
- shortness of breath
- stretch marks on the stomach, thighs and breasts
- mood swings and depression
- pelvic pain
- articolar pains
- contractions of Braxton Hicks
- itching on the stomach, back and nipples
- increased vaginal secretions
See also
24th week of pregnancy: changes in the woman's body
The belly continues to grow and the skin around the back and nipples tightening can lead to stretch marks and itching. Montgomery's tubercles appear, small, pimple-like bumps that usually develop around the areolas secreting an oily substance to nourish the nipples.
During the 24th week of pregnancy you may notice a yellowish liquid leaking from your breasts: this is due to the fact that the body continues to produce colostrum to prepare for breastfeeding.
Your child moves: you would like to know more about his movements ... and try, if possible, to have a communicative exchange with him. To do this, some women approach the "" haptonomy ", a discipline aimed at developing the baby's senses through the affection and protective caresses of the mother.
Typically, you can start haptonomy sessions as soon as you start feeling your baby's movements. These exchanges allow a real "communication" with him, thanks to the "help of a doctor who knows this discipline well. Naturally, the future father can also participate in these sessions.
Have you already chosen the name for your baby? If you run out of ideas, get inspired by our list of names for all tastes!
The growth and development of the baby at the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy
The baby is growing and its dimensions are similar to those of a cob: it is about 30 centimeters long and weighs 600 grams. His nervous system continues to develop. Some nerves begin to be wrapped in myelin, a gelatinous substance essential for the good transmission of nerve stimuli. On the surface of the cerebral hemispheres, grooves are created. The cerebellum, which will play a very important role in balance, grows rapidly, developing towards the back of the brain.
The lungs of the fetus are now almost ready to breathe oxygen, thanks to a chemical agent called pulmonary surfactant, who it will play a fundamental role for inspiration.
At the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy, the development of the inner ear that controls balance will also be complete: the baby can now realize that it is floating in the amniotic fluid!
The eyes are still closed, but if the main parts of which the eye is made up, such as the irises and retinas, are already formed.
Our advice
In case of contractions, rest!
Are you starting to feel contractions? It's time to start taking really good care of yourself! Some women will simply have to slow down their daily pace. For others, the doctor will recommend the cessation of all kinds of activities, or almost.
You will likely be ordered to rest or even to bed.
Get prescribed some rest
What does it mean? Often, rest is recommended during the second half of pregnancy, if not earlier. Sometimes, it is a simple preventive measure, a precaution to continue the pregnancy in the best way. Other times, however, it is an obligation, particularly if you have many contractions, if the water bag is torn, if you have placenta previa, if the fetus has a delay in growth, if you suffer from hypertension.
Whatever the case may be, you need to lead a calmer life by avoiding carrying heavy weights and cleaning up. As far as possible, the doctor will try to avoid forcing you to stay in bed, so as not to run the risk of phlebitis.
What to do in case of contractions?
First of all, stay calm and relaxed. Contractions are normal, don't be alarmed: they are part of the normal pregnancy process. During a contraction, especially at the end of pregnancy, if possible lie down, stay calm, breathe deeply and rest: the feeling of "tension" in the belly will disappear quickly.
In particular, during the "last month, try to cover yourself a little": you will find that, after a more stressful day than usual, in the evening you will have more contractions than usual ... for your body, it is a natural way to ask yourself to take it easy!
If you are very tired, have regular contractions (for an "hour, regardless of whether they are painful or not), or have other unusual symptoms (for example, ligament pain), go to the hospital right away!
We must act quickly, in order not to risk giving birth to a premature baby!
Tips for the rest period
- Take care of yourself, put on comfortable clothes and don't spend all day in pajamas. Put on your makeup, dress up and be beautiful: it's good for morale!
- Stay close to everything you might need (phone book, telephone, medications ...).
- Make yourself comfortable: get some large pillows to support your back (or buy a pillow for breastfeeding), change the sheets regularly.
- Feed your mind. Dedicate yourself to intellectual pursuits (why not start studying a new foreign language?), Reading, television, crochet (why not knit your first sweater ... so you can say "this is what I did!"), embroidery...
- Don't hesitate to ask others for help! Your loved ones will be happy to help you and keep you company (without getting too tired though!).
- Ask the future dad to help you (housework, expenses ...).
See also: How to sleep in pregnancy: the photographic project by Jana Romanova
Useful information not to be forgotten
- Enroll in the childbirth preparation course
- If you are not married, it is time to think about recognizing the baby before birth.
- Fourth obligatory prenatal gynecological examination.
- Beginning of childbirth preparation courses
