What to expect

What’s happening to my baby?

Your baby is growing in strength – by resting your hand on your belly you should be able to feel the kicks, punches and headbutts now. You might even be able to feel when it hiccups!

At week 24 your baby is over 20cm from head to bottom, and 30cm in height from head to toe, and continues to do much its own thing – sleeping long hours during the day and possibly waking you at night. The eyelids have now separated, enabling your baby to open and close its eyes.

Your baby’s lungs are starting to produce a substance called surfactant. This is important as it enables their lungs to contract and expand without sticking together – a critical step for surviving on the outside. Each day and each week, more surfactant is produced, increasing the chances of unassisted survival in case of premature birth.

What’s happening to me?

In talks with your doctor, you might be offered a test for gestational diabetes. This test is usually offered earlier for women with a high-risk history. Gestational diabetes is developed during pregnancy and means the woman’s body is having trouble processing glucose. It will go away after childbirth.