Our Baby Journey24 weeks pregnant
24 weeks pregnant is about 5½ months. It falls in the sixth month of pregnancy. You are in week 24 of 40, in the second trimester. Here is what is happening with your baby and your body this week.
Your baby is about the size of a cantaloupe.
Length: about 30 cm (11.8 in) from crown to heel · Weight: about 600 g (1.3 lb)
Your baby at 24 weeks
The baby's face is almost fully formed. The inner ear is developed, helping with balance.
Your baby's lungs are developing branches of the respiratory tree and the cells that make surfactant, though they are still far from ready to breathe air on their own. This is one reason why every extra week in the womb matters so much for lung maturity.
Your baby is laying down more fat and steadily gaining weight, while the skin remains thin and wrinkled. Fingerprints and footprints have formed, and hair on the head and eyebrows continues to grow. The brain is growing rapidly, and the patterns of sleep and wakefulness are becoming more defined.
This week is often described as a milestone because many hospitals with neonatal intensive care units consider babies born from around 24 weeks for active treatment. That said, a baby born now would still need a long stay in neonatal care.
Your body at 24 weeks
A glucose screening test for gestational diabetes is often done between weeks 24 and 28.
Your uterus now sits a few centimeters above your belly button, and your provider may start measuring the distance from your pubic bone to the top of the uterus (fundal height) to check growth. Pregnancy hormones make your body less sensitive to insulin so that more sugar is available for your baby. In some people, the pancreas cannot keep up, which leads to gestational diabetes. This is why screening is offered around this time, even if you feel completely well. You may also notice dry, irritated eyes or more noticeable stretch marks.
Your belly at week 24
In month 6 (weeks 23–27) your bump keeps growing forward and upward, and the top of the uterus is now above your belly button. Fundal height is usually around 23–27 cm, close to the number of weeks.
Belly size and shape vary a lot depending on your build, whether this is your first pregnancy, your baby's position and the amount of amniotic fluid. At checkups your doctor or midwife may measure your fundal height to track your baby's growth, and may arrange an ultrasound if the measurement is quite different from what they expect.
Symptoms at 24 weeks pregnant
- Increased hunger or thirst
- Dry or itchy eyes
- Stretch marks becoming more visible
- Backache and sciatic nerve pain down one leg
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- Heartburn after meals
Checkups around week 24
Screening for gestational diabetes is commonly done between 24 and 28 weeks. Depending on your country and provider, this may be a one-step oral glucose tolerance test or a shorter glucose challenge test followed by a longer test if needed. In some places, screening is offered to everyone; in others, only to people with risk factors. You may also have a routine check of your blood pressure, urine, and fundal height.
Tips for week 24
- Ask your provider about the glucose test.
- Limit sugary drinks and snacks.
- Learn the warning signs of preterm labor.
Common symptoms in the second trimester
The second trimester runs from week 14 to week 27. Nausea often eases, energy returns, your bump starts to show, and you will begin to feel your baby move. Not everyone has every symptom, and it is normal for symptoms to come and go. Common ones include:
- A growing bump and weight gain
- First baby movements, usually felt between weeks 16 and 25
- Round ligament pain (sharp pains low in the belly or groin)
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Back ache
- A blocked nose or nosebleeds
- Leg cramps
- Skin changes such as a dark line on the belly or darker patches on the face
Read the full second trimester guide.
When to call your doctor or midwife
Contact your healthcare provider or maternity unit straight away, or get emergency care, if you have:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain or cramping
- A severe headache, blurred vision, or sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet
- A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
- Fluid leaking from your vagina
- Severe vomiting where you cannot keep fluids down
- Your baby moving less than usual or a change in their pattern of movements (later in pregnancy)
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Feeling very low, anxious, or having thoughts of harming yourself
Have a question about week 24?
Ask our AI pregnancy assistant about symptoms, nutrition, scans or anything else on your mind this week.
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. That is about 30 cm (11.8 in) from crown to heel, weighing about 600 g (1.3 lb).
How big is my belly at week 24 of pregnancy?
In month 6 (weeks 23–27) your bump keeps growing forward and upward, and the top of the uterus is now above your belly button. Fundal height is usually around 23–27 cm, close to the number of weeks. Bump size, shape and when you start to show vary a lot from person to person.
What is the survival rate for a baby born at 24 weeks?
Many babies born at 24 weeks survive with specialist neonatal intensive care, and survival improves with each additional week in the womb. However, babies born this early face a significant risk of complications affecting the lungs, brain, eyes, and bowel, and some have lasting health or developmental problems. Outcomes vary widely depending on the baby's condition and the care available, so your neonatal team is the best source of information for your situation.
How should I prepare for the glucose test?
Preparation depends on the type of test. For the shorter glucose challenge test, you usually do not need to fast. For the longer oral glucose tolerance test, you are typically asked to fast overnight and stay seated during the test. Your clinic will give you specific instructions. Bring water if allowed, something to do while you wait, and a snack for afterward.
What happens if I have gestational diabetes?
If the test shows gestational diabetes, you will usually be referred to a team who will teach you how to check your blood sugar and adjust your diet and activity. Many people can manage it this way, while some need medication such as insulin or metformin. You may have extra scans to check your baby's growth. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after birth, but it increases the chance of type 2 diabetes later, so follow-up testing is recommended.
What trimester is 24 weeks pregnant?
Week 24 is in the second trimester, which covers weeks 14 to 27.
How many months is 24 weeks pregnant?
24 weeks pregnant is about 5½ months. It falls in the sixth month of pregnancy. The sixth month covers weeks 23 to 27. Pregnancy is about 40 weeks, or roughly 9 months, counted from the first day of your last period.
This page is general educational information and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or midwife. Every pregnancy is different, and baby sizes are approximate averages. Last updated 2026-11-07. See our medical disclaimer.