Pregnancy Week By Week

24 Weeks Pregnant: Development, Symptoms and Care

At 24 weeks pregnant, movements may be easier to recognise and your appointments may include discussion of a glucose tolerance test. Your baby is still developing, and your comfort matters too. If you have not felt any movement by now, call your midwife or doctor immediately.

Your baby’s development at 24 weeks

A layer of fat is developing beneath your baby’s skin, making it less see-through. Your baby is still thin and has substantial growing and maturing ahead. Birth at this stage would be extremely premature and require specialist neonatal care; reaching a particular week is not a guarantee about outcomes.

Body changes and symptoms

Heartburn, back discomfort or difficulty sleeping may be part of this stage of pregnancy, but symptoms are not the same for everyone. If discomfort is limiting food, sleep or movement, ask for help rather than assuming it must simply be endured.

Smaller meals and staying upright after eating may help heartburn. Check with a pharmacist or clinician before choosing a remedy. Pain that is severe, persistent or beneath the ribs needs assessment rather than treatment as indigestion without advice.

Movements: know when to call

Most people feel the first movements between 16 and 24 weeks. If you have never felt them at 24 weeks, contact your care team now. Once you are noticing movement, there is no single number of kicks every baby should meet.

For reduced or concerningly changed movement, call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit immediately. Do not wait until tomorrow, try to trigger movement with food or drink, or rely on a home Doppler. If you cannot contact your care team, attend the nearest hospital maternity or emergency unit.

The glucose tolerance test

An oral glucose tolerance test, often called an OGTT, is usually offered between 24 and 28 weeks to check for gestational diabetes if diabetes has not already been diagnosed in this pregnancy. Earlier testing may be advised for some people; a normal earlier result does not necessarily replace testing in this window.

The test involves blood samples and a glucose drink. Ask the clinic for its fasting and preparation instructions, how long to allow and who will explain the results. Tell your care team if you cannot tolerate the test so they can discuss an appropriate plan. Do not substitute a home test or change your diet to try to influence the result.

A useful job for this week

Begin a short list of practical support you would appreciate after birth: meals, transport, shopping or someone to sit with you while you rest. You do not need to buy everything or finish every plan now.

You can also set boundaries around comments or touching your bump. Being pregnant does not make your body public property. For care questions and appointments, our prenatal care guide is a useful starting point.

When to seek medical help

In Australia, call 000 for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, severe breathing difficulty, chest pain or collapse. Do not drive yourself if faint or very unwell.

Contact your GP, midwife or hospital immediately for vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, fever, vomiting that prevents drinking, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling or pain under your ribs. Regular or painful contractions, pelvic pressure or persistent lower back or abdominal pain before 37 weeks may be signs of early labour: call your maternity team and go to hospital. Seek urgent care if your usual team is unavailable.