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Second trimester

24 Weeks Pregnant

Approaching the third trimester

This week your baby is around the size of an ear of corn.

How your baby is developing

  • Everything is in proportion, though your baby is smaller than a baby who has been in the womb for longer.
  • Your baby keeps growing as you approach the third trimester.

What may be happening in your body

  • You may be starting to recognise your baby's own pattern of movements.
  • As the bump grows forward, backache and pressure through your lower back can build.
  • Heartburn, leg cramps, or aches on the side of your bump can be part of these weeks for some.

How you may be feeling

  • Feeling regular movement helps many parents feel closer to their baby and a little more reassured.
  • As you get used to your baby's rhythm, a quiet sense of familiarity can grow between you.
  • Reaching this milestone can make the pregnancy — and the birth ahead — feel more real.

Worth remembering

Get to know your baby's usual movements. If movements slow down or stop, contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away.

A closer look

Getting to know your baby's movements

Getting to know what's usual for your baby — the times they tend to be active, the times they rest — is something many parents build over these weeks rather than notice all at once. Every baby's pattern is their own, so it isn't meant to match anyone else's.

Something you can do this week

Comfort matters more from here — small adjustments to how you sit, stand and sleep are worth making.

What comes next

The third trimester ahead brings continued growth.

Professional support

Services ParentSide defines for this stage. Each page explains what the service covers and which professionals are approved to provide it.

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Sources and updates

Sources

Last reviewed:
This content is based on estimated averages and general information; it does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned about yourself or your baby, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

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