24 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms and What to Expect

24 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms and What to Expect

Your Growing Fetus at 24 Weeks

At 24 weeks your baby is now 11.8 inches. If you remember the days of having to rewind videos before watching them, 11.8 inches is about the size of a VHS tape.

If you were born around 1995 when the first DVD was invented, or after then you may understand a fruit comparison better. Your baby is now the size of a cantaloupe.

Here’s what your baby is up to this week

  • Their nostrils are beginning to open
  • They are beginning to develop surfactant, which is a protein that helps us breathe.
  • They will continue to develop surfactant until around week 35.
  • The vestibular system is beginning to develop. It is the system in our ear that helps us maintain balance. Your baby can now tell if they are right side up or upside down.
Pregnancy Superfood for Week 24

Kale us crazy (pun intended) because our superfood for week 24 is none other than the leafy green vegetable kale! Fiber, calcium, and other vitamins are found in kale. Kale can be eaten in a variety of ways.

The fiber will combat your constipation. The calcium will aid in strengthening the bones of your baby. Your baby’s immune system will grow stronger thanks to the vitamin A in kale.

The vitamin K will keep your blood vessels strong, which is extremely important as your blood volume increases. You can cook it, but it tends to smell like sulfur which may not be great for your heightened sense of smell.

You can add it salads or even semi boil it. There are green, black, and red bunches of kale. The green is great for smoothies, juices, and stir-fries.

The black kale is delicious when it is sautéed and is perfect in salads. Here are a couple different ways you can incorporate kale into your daily routine

Kale Humus:

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon chives
  • ½ cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 cups cooked chickpeas
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • ½ cups kale
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin

How to Prepare:

  • Throw the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, cumin, and onion powder into a blender.
  • After it is blended, add the chives, chickpeas, and kale.
  • Start blending on low and add the water to help everything blend together. Once everything is combined put the mixture into a bowl, serve with veggies, and enjoy.

Kale Chips:

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup fresh parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 bunches of kale
  • 3 teaspoon olive oil
  • 5-6 cloves of garlic

How to Prepare:

  • To begin preheat the oven to 375.
  • Remove the stems and chop the kale.
  • In a large bowl, toss the kale in olive oil, garlic, and add a pinch of sea salt.
  • Place the kale onto a baking sheet. We recommend not crowding the leaves.
  • Bake for eight minutes, flip and bake for eight more minutes.
  • You will know they are done when they are crisp and a light brown color. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese onto the chips and enjoy.
Top Tip for Week Twenty Four

Ever since you found out the gender of your baby you probably spend most of your time in the baby section of department stores.

Each time your heart melts over every adorable little outfit while you fight the urge to spend your whole paycheck on baby clothes. Keep fighting that urge girl!

Babies grow super quickly, especially in their first year. Try not to spend too much money on clothes as you may not need as many as you think.

Inspirational Message of the Week from Already Moms

“ We have a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful. It’s that women are strong.” – Laura Stavoe Harm

Big Efforts from your Co-Creator

If you haven’t given your lady a foot massage, she’s 24 weeks past due for one. Her feet are more than likely swollen, so ease her swelling by giving her a foot massage.

This Art of Allowing

Soon the dynamic between you and your partner will change. It will no longer be just the two of you. As the arrival of your mini-me grows near, talk to your partner about your roles as parents.

Voice your concerns as well as the things you are excited for. Don’t be afraid to let your partner know that you’ll need help.

If your parents or your in-laws are nearby, plan to utilize them. You can catch up on much-needed rest and they can spend time with their grandchild, it’s a win-win for everyone.

Pregnancy Symptoms of Week Twenty Four

Your bump is super adorable! Unfortunately, it brings along some not so fun symptoms. Here’s what you might experience this week.

Sensitive Gums: If your gums are tender and are redder in color this is due to the hormonal changes in your body. They may also feel more sensitive. Continue to brush twice a day and floss daily.

Gestational Diabetes: Less than 5 % of pregnant women experience this symptom and it is a temporary condition. In order to determine if you have gestational diabetes you will undergo a glucose screening test at a lab. You will have to consume a sweet drink and then wait an hour to have blood drawn.

Varicose Veins: Your body is producing extra progesterone. Combine that with the swelling you’re experiencing and you got a nasty recipe for varicose veins. The noticeable blue or purple veins often appear on your legs and sometimes they may be itchy. Elevating your legs will help with the blood flow.

Dry/Itchy Skin: Your belly is expanding which may cause your skin to feel dry and itchy. Hot Showers and baths will make it worse.

Linea Nigra: If you see a dark line running up the center of your belly, that is the linea nigra. It is caused by your pregnancy hormones and should gradually fade after you give birth.

Lactation: You’re nearing the end of your second trimester and your milk ducts will be completely developed by then. You may be experiencing some leaky breasts.

Your Body will Change and It’s Necessary

Your uterus is now two inches above your belly button and about the size of a soccer ball. It’s practically impossible to disguise your bump now, but that is completely okay. The growth of your belly is completely necessary for the development of your baby. Your breasts have grown even larger to continue to prepare for the arrival of your little one.

Our Recommended Remedy for Week 24

There is nothing fun about sensitive gums. Give these remedies a try to ease your pain

Cinnamon & Clove

Cinnamon is one of the strongest herbs to reduce gum sensitivity. It also kills germs in the mouth. Combine it with cloves and you have the perfect cure for sensitive teeth.
Put cinnamon and cloves in a pot and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is cool enough to put in your mouth, gargle. Do this twice a day. You can also eat 2 to 3 grams of cinnamon bark daily.

Green Tea

The antioxidants in green tea will help reduce swollen gums.

Clove Oil
Chew a piece of clove or rub clove oil onto your gums to use it as an antiseptic. It will fight against gum problems that arise.

Aloe Vera

Whether you are consuming aloe vera in a juice, toothpaste, mouthwash, or supplement it’s healing properties will reduce inflammation, swelling, and bleeding of gums.

Our Best Advice to Soothe The Uncomfortable

As your baby continues to grow so does your body. The growth will require more of your energy and strength to carry the weight. Prenatal yoga is one of the best forms of exercises for pregnant women.

It will help improve the strength in your back, arms, hips, and shoulders. It will also increase your balance, which is important as your belly grows outward and throws off your balance. You may experience pain in your back, shoulders, and hips throughout your pregnancy.

Prenatal yoga will stretch and ease the pain of those muscles. As you practice breathing techniques you will become more relaxed. It will increase circulation which will reduce swelling. Not only will prenatal yoga soothe some of the uncomfortable symptoms but it will also prepare you for labor as you learn breathing techniques.

Preparation for Motherhood
  • Decide on a crib
  • Eat plenty of nutritious foods
  • Give tasks for the grandparents to be for after delivery. You may need all the help you can get.

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