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Pregnancy: 24 weeks
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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How the child grows:
The baby grows evenly, and in comparison with last week weighs 115 grams more. Since his height is almost 30 cm, he looks very thin, so very soon he will start proportionately gain weight. His brain is now developing rapidly, and taste buds are developing. The lungs develop cells that produce a surfactant, a substance that will help the pulmonary alveoli to fill up at birth. His skin is still thin and translucent.
Important: the development of each child is strictly individual. Our information is designed to give you an idea of the development of the fetus.
Changes of the future mother
Over the past few weeks, the upper part of the uterus has risen above the level of the navel and now the size of a soccer ball. Most women undergo a test to check the sugar load and identify a gestational diabetes - a disease that is directly related to pregnancy. If this disease is not treated, there is a risk of complications during childbirth, and there is a need for caesarean section. This disease also increases the risk of developing diabetes in a child. And, finally, important information about the definition of symptoms of preterm labor. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned below.
3 Questions about ... Premature delivery
More than 12 percent of babies in the United States are born prematurely (up to 37 weeks). A quarter of these births are intentional, which means that labor is caused by doctors because of a serious illness, such as severe or worsening preeclampsia or because the child stops growing.
While there are some known risk factors for premature delivery, such as certain sexual infections, placental problems or cervical insufficiency, in most cases no one knows for sure what causes premature birth. This is why it is important for all pregnant women to know the symptoms of premature birth and the necessary actions.
- Symptoms of premature birth?
Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms before 37 weeks of gestation:
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Change in the type of discharge - watery, mucous or bloody formations
- Any vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal pain, similar to muscle cramps
- Increased pressure in the pelvic area
- Pain in the lumbar region
- What are the necessary actions for premature birth?
If you have symptoms of premature birth, call the doctor and agree on the next steps. He will probably send you to the hospital, where the doctors will measure your baby's pulse and pulse, and also check the urine for symptoms of infection. The doctor will check with a medical mirror whether the membranes are ruptured, the discharge pattern can be sent to the laboratory to detect infection and analyze fetal fibronectin. This analysis helps to examine the cervical and vaginal fluid and identify a protein that binds the amniotic sac to the lining of the uterus. Between 24 and 34 weeks, an increased level of fibronectin means that this "connecting element" disintegrates before the term.
- How will premature birth affect a child's health?
The closer to a child's due date, the more chances for survival and the less he is exposed to the development of health problems. Thanks to neonatal care, babies born from the age of 24 have a chance of survival, but they need more medical interventions and stay in the intensive care unit for a long time.
The best thing you can do to reduce the risk of premature birth is to give up smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs. Adhere to a balanced diet, follow all the doctor's prescriptions and report any symptoms or problems to your doctor.
Activity this week:
Take care of small repairs. Discuss with your partner questions relating to minor repairs, as well as a timetable for their implementation (these works will fall on your partner's shoulders, since you should not be exposed to chemicals).
Add the following tasks to the list:
- Install or check smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and fire exits.
- Fix or get rid of all the broken furniture.
- Painted walls in the nursery, hang curtains, fellow new furniture.
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