Your baby this week
Your baby's lungs are developing something amazing — it's called surfactant, and it will help the tiny air sacs inflate when your baby takes its very first breath. Your baby has a regular schedule now, sleeping and waking at its own rhythm (hopefully it matches yours eventually!). The face is fully formed with eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair. The inner ear is fully developed, so your baby has a great sense of balance while tumbling around in there.
Your body this week
The glucose challenge test for gestational diabetes is typically done between weeks 24-28. You'll drink a sweet glucose solution and have blood drawn after one hour. Rib pain may start as your uterus pushes upward. Shortness of breath is common. Your skin may itch as it stretches. Night leg cramps may be a regular occurrence. Remember — every discomfort is temporary.
Common symptoms this week
Every pregnancy is different — you may notice some of these, all of them, or none at all. None of this is a checklist to worry over.
- Rib pain as baby pushes up
- Shortness of breath
- Itchy, stretching skin
- Night-time leg cramps
This week’s checklist
- Glucose tolerance test (GTT) for gestational diabetes — in India, DIPSI recommends screening ALL pregnant women (75g glucose, non-fasting)
- Register for childbirth education classes
- Research cord blood banking options if interested
- Practice deep breathing for shortness of breath
- Sign up for an infant CPR class
What’s normal this week
Most of what you’re feeling is your body doing exactly what it should — the everyday symptoms don’t need a call. The signs below are the rare exceptions: noticing one doesn’t mean something’s wrong, just that it’s worth a quick check.
When to call your doctor
- Excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision (diabetes symptoms)
- Persistent rib pain that doesn't ease with position changes
- Regular contractions at intervals
This guide offers general information for a typical pregnancy and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Always follow your doctor or midwife’s guidance for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
How big is my baby at 24 weeks pregnant?
At 24 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a cantaloupe.
What are common symptoms at 24 weeks pregnant?
Common symptoms around 24 weeks pregnant include rib pain as baby pushes up; shortness of breath; itchy, stretching skin; night-time leg cramps. Every pregnancy is different — you may notice some of these, all of them, or none at all.
What is developing at 24 weeks pregnant?
Your baby's lungs are developing something amazing — it's called surfactant, and it will help the tiny air sacs inflate when your baby takes its very first breath. Your baby has a regular schedule now, sleeping and waking at its own rhythm (hopefully it matches yours eventually!
When should I call my doctor at 24 weeks pregnant?
Call your doctor at 24 weeks if you notice excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision (diabetes symptoms); persistent rib pain that doesn't ease with position changes; regular contractions at intervals.
Last updated June 2026
References
Ovyacare’s guidance is written in-house and aligned with leading medical authorities: