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Second trimester

24 weeks pregnant

At 24 weeks your baby's body is in proportion, the lungs are still maturing, and fat is being laid down. This is the stage from which a baby born early may be able to survive with specialist neonatal care. Gestational diabetes screening is usually done between now and 28 weeks.

This page covers 24 weeks 0 days to 24 weeks 6 days (24+0 to 24+6), counted from the first day of the last period. Check how far along you are

Enter it to see the calendar dates of your week 24.

Botanical illustration of a coconut

About the size of a coconut

Typical estimated weight 670 g (1 lb 8 oz) at 24+0, about 770 g (1 lb 11 oz) by 24+6. This is the 50th centile; healthy babies commonly vary by about 12.7% either way.1

A reference value, not a measurement of your baby.

How your baby is developing

  • Your baby's body is now in proportion, though still smaller than a baby who has had longer in the womb.2
  • The lower airways of the lungs are developing, but the lungs are not yet ready to work on their own outside the womb.3,4
  • Bone marrow is now making blood cells, and your baby has started storing fat.3
  • Babies at this stage respond to sound, and may move or show a change in heart rate when they hear something.4
  • From around 24 weeks, it is possible for a baby born early to survive with care in a neonatal unit, which supports breathing, feeding, keeping warm and fighting infection. The earlier a baby is born, the more vulnerable they are, so your care team is the best source of advice for your situation.2,5

Changes you may notice

Everyone’s experience is different. You may notice some of these, or none.

  • Aches in the ribs, back, breasts, bottom and tummy are common around now, as hormones loosen ligaments and muscles and the growing baby presses on your body.2
  • You may feel very hungry. Extra calories aren't usually needed until the third trimester, so a balanced diet is the general advice.2
  • Bump size varies a lot. Some people have an obvious bump by now and others can barely see one, and both are common.2
  • Other symptoms that may continue include tiredness, heartburn, constipation, leg cramps, nosebleeds, headaches and swollen hands and feet.2

Care around this week

  • In the US, screening for gestational diabetes is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks. In the UK, an oral glucose tolerance test at 24 to 28 weeks is offered to people with one or more risk factors, such as a BMI above 30, a parent or sibling with diabetes, or gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.6,7
  • If you have not felt your baby move by 24 weeks, tell your midwife or provider so they can check the baby's heartbeat and movements. Once movements are established, contact your maternity unit or provider straight away if they slow down, stop or change. Don't wait for the next day or your next appointment.8
  • If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and have regular contractions or tightenings, period-type pains, a gush or trickle of fluid, or unusual backache, contact your maternity unit or provider straight away.5

Questions to ask your provider

  • When and how will I be screened for gestational diabetes?
  • If my baby were born early, which hospital would we go to, and does it have a neonatal unit?
  • Which symptoms mean I should call the maternity unit rather than wait?
  • Is my weight gain on track so far?
When to contact your provider straight away

Call 911 (US) or 999 (UK) in an emergency, such as heavy bleeding or bleeding with severe pain, a seizure, chest pain, or severe trouble breathing.10,11,12,13

These symptoms are not always serious, but each one needs prompt advice from your provider, midwife or maternity unit (or NHS 111 in the UK if you cannot reach them) rather than waiting for your next appointment, and it helps to tell them you are pregnant.

  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting at any stage of pregnancy. Call 911 or 999 if the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe belly pain, shoulder pain, or feeling faint or dizzy.12,14
  • Fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina, or discharge that is unusual for you. Get checked straight away if the fluid is greenish, colored or smells bad.5,12,13,15
  • Your baby moving less than usual, not moving, or a change in their usual pattern of movements. Call immediately, even in the middle of the night, and do not use a home Doppler to check yourself.8,12
  • A severe headache that does not go away with simple painkillers or gets worse, or sudden changes in your vision such as blurring or seeing flashing lights.10,12,13
  • Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, or swelling, redness or pain in a leg.10,12,13
  • Belly pain that is severe or does not go away after resting, or pain just below the ribs.10,12,16
  • Regular tightenings or contractions, period-type pains, or backache that is unusual for you before 37 weeks, which can be signs of preterm labor.5,16
  • A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or feeling hot, cold or shivery.5,12,13
  • Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly or happens when you lie flat, chest pain, a racing or pounding heart, or dizziness or fainting.12,13
  • Very itchy skin, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, or itching that is worse at night.17
  • Being sick so often that you cannot keep food or drink down, or signs of dehydration such as dark urine, peeing very little, or feeling dizzy.12,18
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. Get help right away, and call 911 or 999 if you think you might act on them.12,19

Questions about 24 weeks

What does it mean that a baby is viable at 24 weeks?

It means a baby born from around this point may be able to survive with specialist care in a neonatal unit. Babies born this early may have health and development problems, and the earlier the birth, the more vulnerable the baby. Your care team can talk through what this means for you.2,5

What if I haven't felt my baby move by 24 weeks?

Tell your midwife or provider. They will check your baby's heartbeat and movements.8

When is the glucose test in pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes screening is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks. Gestational diabetes often causes no symptoms, which is why screening is used to find it.6,9

Sources

  1. In utero analysis of fetal growth: a sonographic weight standardRadiology 181(1):129–133, 1991
  2. 24 weeks pregnant guideNHS Best Start in Life
  3. Fetal developmentUS National Library of Medicine
  4. Fetal development: stages of growthCleveland Clinic
  5. Premature labour and birthNHS (England)
  6. Practice Bulletin No. 190: Gestational Diabetes MellitusAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2018
  7. Gestational diabetesNHS (England)
  8. Your baby's movementsNHS (England)
  9. Gestational diabetesUS National Library of Medicine
  10. Pre-eclampsiaNHS (England)
  11. Epilepsy and pregnancyNHS (England)
  12. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms (Hear Her campaign)US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  13. Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help forNHS (England)
  14. Vaginal bleeding in pregnancyNHS (England)
  15. Signs of going into labourNHS Best Start in Life
  16. Stomach pain in pregnancyNHS (England)
  17. Itching in pregnancyNHS (England)
  18. Severe vomiting in pregnancyNHS (England)
  19. Depression in pregnancyNHS (England)

Links checked November 12, 2026. Citing a source does not mean it endorses this site.

Written from the sources above and checked against them on 2026-11-12. Not reviewed by a clinician. Our editorial policy