If you’re 24 weeks pregnant, congratulations—you’ve reached an exciting milestone in your second trimester! At this point, you’re about six months along, and both your body and your baby are undergoing meaningful changes each week.
You likely already feel well into your pregnancy—from your bump becoming more prominent to your baby’s movements feeling stronger and more rhythmic. While every pregnancy is different, here’s what many expectant parents experience and what you might want to know at week 24.
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How You’re Feeling at 24 Weeks
Entering week 24, you may be settling into the “second-trimester groove,” where earlier nausea and fatigue have eased but new sensations emerge as your body continues to accommodate your growing baby. Increased blood volume, hormonal shifts, and physical changes can all contribute to new symptoms and experiences.
Some things you may notice this week include:
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Stronger fetal movement: Those gentle flutters have likely turned into more noticeable kicks, rolls, and stretches as your baby grows and becomes more active inside the womb.
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Back or pelvic discomfort: As your uterus rises and your posture shifts, low back or pelvic pressure can become more common.
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Leg cramps or restless legs, particularly at night — often linked to changes in circulation and electrolyte balance.
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Heartburn or indigestion, as your uterus presses upward against your digestive organs.
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Braxton Hicks “practice” contractions, which are usually irregular and mild but may feel like brief tightening sensations.
Even if some discomfort shows up this week, these symptoms are generally normal — though you should always check with your healthcare provider if anything feels severe or unusual.
What’s New With Your Baby
By week 24, your baby is continuing to grow rapidly in length and weight, building strength, fat stores, and neurological connections.
Here’s what’s happening inside your womb this week:
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Size & weight: At around 12–12.7 inches long and about 1.3–1.5 pounds, your baby is now roughly the size of an ear of corn or a small cantaloupe.
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Brain & nerve development: Neural connections are increasing quickly, supporting more complex patterns of movement and sensory awareness.
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Fat accumulation: Your baby is putting on layers of fat under the skin, which helps regulate temperature and contributes to that iconic “baby look” later in pregnancy.
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Refined reflexes: Startle responses and coordinated movements — like sucking or grasping — are developing further.
Although your baby’s lungs are still maturing at this stage, development continues rapidly week by week, building toward viability and respiratory readiness over the next trimester.
Common Symptoms at 24 Weeks
As your body changes to support your growing baby, it’s common to experience a mix of physical and emotional symptoms. These vary widely person to person, but may include:
Physical Symptoms
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Back, hip, or pelvic discomfort due to shifting posture and ligament relaxation
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Stretching sensations from skin and connective tissues adapting to your growing uterus
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Swelling (edema) in the feet or ankles, especially later in the day
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Heartburn or indigestion
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Increased vaginal discharge — a normal change as your body prepares for labor
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Leg cramps or restless legs
Emotional or Mental Experiences
For many parents-to-be, this stage can also bring emotional shifts, from excitement and anticipation to anxiety or increased focus on birth planning and logistics.
If mood changes feel heavy or persistent, it’s worth talking to your care provider — emotional wellbeing is a key part of prenatal health.
Health Milestones & Care This Week
Glucose Screening (Gestational Diabetes Test)
Around this time, many healthcare providers will offer a glucose challenge test to screen for gestational diabetes. This typically involves drinking a sweet glucose solution and having your blood drawn after one hour to assess how your body is processing sugar.
Continued Prenatal Care
You’ll want to continue routine prenatal visits where your provider may check:
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Blood pressure
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Weight and fundal height (uterine growth)
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Baby’s heart rate
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Signs of swelling or other concerns
These check-ins help ensure that both you and your baby are progressing healthily.
Week 24 To-Do List
Here are a few ways to make the most of this stage:
1. Prioritize Prenatal Nutrition
Ensuring balanced, nutrient-dense meals supports both your wellbeing and your baby’s growth. Aim for protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids — and be sure your prenatal vitamin continues to meet your needs as your pregnancy progresses.
If you haven’t already, consider prenatal supplements specifically designed for the second trimester to support bone, blood, and brain health.
2. Track Baby’s Movement
Pay attention to patterns in your baby’s movement. If you notice a marked decrease in activity or have concerns, reach out to your care team.
3. Stay Active (Safely)
Gentle movement — such as walking, prenatal yoga, or swimming — can help reduce discomfort, support circulation, and ease stress. Choose activities that feel comfortable and sustainable for your body.
4. Start Planning Ahead
While you’re not at the third trimester yet, this is a great time to:
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Start thinking about your birth plan
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Consider childcare or parental leave needs
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Explore childbirth classes or prenatal education
Week 24 is a momentous point in your pregnancy journey. You’re well into the second trimester, feeling more connected to your baby, and gradually building toward the physical and emotional transition of the third trimester ahead.
Every body and every pregnancy are unique, so trust your instincts, lean on your support system, and keep advocating for your needs every step of the way.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel.
References:
- BabyCenter. 24 Weeks Pregnant.
- Mayo Clinic. 2nd trimester pregnancy: What to expect.
- What to Expect. 24 weeks pregnant.
- NHS. Week 24.
