you're 24 weeks pregnant.
last revised · baby is about 30 cm (11.8") · 600 g (21.2 oz)
At 24 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 30 cm and 600 g — A major milestone — the baby reaches the 'viability threshold'.
about the size of a…
A major milestone — the baby reaches the 'viability threshold'. With intensive medical care, many babies born this week can survive.
this week's highlights
- Viability milestone
- Glucose screening week
- Eyes nearly formed
- Brain develops rapidly
how your baby looks
Filling out as fat develops under the wrinkly skin. Face is more defined, and tiny ears stick out from the head a bit.
body in focus
- head
- Brain grows rapidly; eyes are nearly complete.
- body
- Body is filling out as fat is added.
- hands
- Reflexes work — palmar grasp reflex active.
- feet
- Kicks are strong and felt distinctly through the belly.
what's happening in your body
Your provider may schedule the glucose screening this week. Bump is sizeable — you may feel waddly or off-balance.
symptoms at 24 weeks
- Glucose screening effects
- Around now you may have the screening test for gestational diabetes, which involves a sweet drink and blood tests. Some people feel briefly nauseous or light-headed afterwards — bring a snack for once it is done.
- Lower back and hip ache
- The hormone relaxin loosens pelvic joints while your bump pulls posture forward. A support belt, warm baths, and side sleeping with a pillow between the knees all help.
- Mild ankle and foot swelling
- Gradual swelling that improves with rest and elevation is expected. Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet — especially with headache or vision changes — needs a same-day call to your midwife or doctor, as these can be signs of pre-eclampsia.
- Dry, irritated eyes
- Hormonal changes can reduce tear film, making eyes feel gritty, particularly for contact lens wearers. Lubricating drops are generally fine, but check with a pharmacist.
- Linea nigra
- A dark vertical line may appear down the centre of your belly due to pigment changes. It is harmless and fades in the months after birth.
- Numb or tingling hands
- Fluid retention can compress the nerve at the wrist, causing carpal tunnel symptoms, often overnight. Shaking out your hands and keeping wrists neutral in sleep helps; mention persistent numbness to your midwife.
gentle tips
- Do the glucose screening — it catches gestational diabetes early.
- Eat balanced meals — protein, complex carbs, healthy fats.
- Wear flat or low-heel shoes for stability.
- Strengthen your core gently with prenatal-safe exercises.
- Track kicks daily — patterns matter from now on.
your week 24 checklist
- Attend your glucose screening test if scheduled — it usually happens between weeks 24 and 28.
- Learn the signs of pre-eclampsia: severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, pain under the ribs.
- Draft a first version of your birth preferences to discuss at an upcoming appointment.
- Research infant feeding support in your area, whatever way you plan to feed.
what to expect next
From here on, every week added makes a survival difference. Next month brings rapid brain growth and lung maturation.
common questions at week 24
How big is the baby at 24 weeks?
At 24 weeks, the baby measures about 30 cm and weighs approximately 600 g (30 cm (11.8") · 600 g (21.2 oz)).
What is developing at 24 weeks?
Filling out as fat develops under the wrinkly skin. Brain grows rapidly; eyes are nearly complete. Key milestones this week include: Viability milestone; Glucose screening week; Eyes nearly formed; Brain develops rapidly.
What symptoms are common at 24 weeks pregnant?
Your provider may schedule the glucose screening this week. Bump is sizeable — you may feel waddly or off-balance.
What should I do at 24 weeks pregnant?
From here on, every week added makes a survival difference. Do the glucose screening — it catches gestational diabetes early. Eat balanced meals — protein, complex carbs, healthy fats. Wear flat or low-heel shoes for stability.
What happens during the glucose tolerance test?
You will usually be asked to fast overnight, give a blood sample, drink a measured sugary drink, then have another blood sample taken after one to two hours. The test checks how your body processes sugar and screens for gestational diabetes, which affects a meaningful minority of pregnancies. Results come back within days, and if they are raised your care team will explain diet changes and monitoring — most people manage it well.
Does gestational diabetes go away after birth?
For most people, blood sugar returns to normal soon after delivery, and your team will confirm this with a follow-up test some weeks postpartum. Having had gestational diabetes does increase your longer-term risk of type 2 diabetes, so ongoing annual checks are usually advised. Managing it well during pregnancy protects both you and your baby.
How much ankle swelling is normal at 24 weeks?
Gradual swelling in the feet and ankles that builds over the day and improves overnight or with elevation is a normal effect of extra fluid and pressure from the uterus. What is not normal is sudden swelling, swelling in your face or hands, or swelling paired with severe headache, vision changes, or pain below the ribs. Those can be signs of pre-eclampsia, so call your midwife or doctor the same day if they appear.
helpful tools
- Belly Timeline
Document your bump week by week with photos.
- Kick Counter
Track fetal movement — kicks usually begin around week 18–22.
- Milestones
Week-by-week milestones tied to your due date.
Medically aligned with guidance from WHO, NHS and ACOG. How we write.