The 24th week of pregnancy refers to the 6th month of fetal development. By this time the stage of the primary formation of many body systems is over, which at this stage continue to improve. From now on, the future child is ready for an independent life.
Fetus at 24 weeks gestation
By the 24th week of pregnancy, the length of the fetus is about 30 cm, weight from 600 to 680 g. Your future baby is still very thin, but continues to actively gain weight, accumulate brown fat, necessary for thermoregulation.
Fetal development 24 weeks gestation
The fetus breathes at 24 weeks, but they can not be compared with extrauterine breathing. During this period, the fetus begins to produce a surfactant - a substance that provides the opening of the lungs alveoli during breathing.
The fetus has more complex reflex reactions, a period of activity and sleep, better hearing and vision. At this time it is important to communicate with your future baby, read fairy tales, listen to music with him.
The wiggling of the fetus on the 24th week becomes more palpable, as it grows smaller as it grows in the uterus. The palpitation of the fetus at 24 weeks is well audited by the obstetric stethoscope. Normally, the fetal heart rate in this period is 140-160 beats per minute.
With ultrasound of the fetus on the 24th week you can see the fully formed face of the future baby.
Fetometry of the fetus at week 24 is normal:
- biparietal size 55-67 mm;
- frontal-occipital size 71-85 mm;
- head circumference 201-237 mm;
- Belly circumference: 102 mm.
The size of long fetal bones at 24 weeks is normal:
- femur 40-48 mm;
- humerus 36-44 mm;
- forearm bones 31-39 mm;
- bones of the leg of 36-44 mm.
With ultrasound of the fetus at 24 weeks, blood circulation, placental structure, and developmental defects are evaluated.
The correct location of the fetus in the uterus is already formed at week 24, the fetus lies head down, occupying the minimum volume. But the head presentation of the fetus is variable until the 35th week of pregnancy, when the location of the child is finally determined. If there is a pelvic presentation at 24 weeks gestation, this is not a reason to be upset, as the fetus can change its position within the next 11 weeks.
The size of the abdomen increased significantly at week 24. The uterine base is already at the level of the navel, so the stomach has risen. The future baby grows, and the belly grows with it. The size of the abdomen during pregnancy depends on the constitution of the body, weight, height of the woman and on what kind of pregnancy.