Pregnancy week 24 - baby's development and your body

Your baby is growing and getting stronger every week. It's common to notice your baby having hiccups now.

Size:

Your baby is about 30 cm long or 11.81 inches, from head to foot.

Weight:

Approximately 600 grams or 1.32 lbs.

Fetal development:

Your baby still has plenty of room to move around in the womb, doing things like somersaults, grasping its ears or the umbilical cord, and even sucking its thumb. Your baby can also sense light, react to sounds, and may even feel pain.

Around this time, hiccups often begin as practice for breathing after birth—you might feel these as a gentle, rhythmic tapping for a few minutes.

The Moro reflex, or startle reflex, is also developing now, so the baby may jolt at sudden movements or loud sounds.

Your body:

Your belly is growing, with the uterus now reaching above your navel. You’re likely feeling the baby’s movements by now, or you will sometime this week.

Many people find pregnancy symptoms less bothersome at this stage, though some may feel added pressure on the ligaments around the uterus or experience pelvic pain as the belly expands. The skin on your belly might also feel dry and itchy as it stretches.