Pregnancy & Baby 

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Pregnancy week 24

A week by week guide to what’s happening to you and your baby

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

From this point forward, you will probably gain between half and one pound each week. Women who were underweight before conception will want to gain more than the recommended 25 to 35lb (1.8 to 2.5 stone). Though this may sound like a lot, especially since your baby is only about seven or eight pounds of that total, the chart below should help ease your worries about weight gain:

Foetus: 7.5 to 8.5lb
Amniotic fluid: 1 to 2lb
Placenta: 1 to 2lb
Increase of blood and fluid volume: 4 to 8lb
Uterine muscles: 2 to 3lb
Breasts: 2 to 3lb
Fat deposits around internal organs: 2 to 10lb

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

Rapid eye movement has begun. Your baby, weighing in at one pound, six ounces, and measuring 21cm crown to rump, or 11 1/2 inches, has a five to 20 per cent chance of survival if born today. This rises considerably, to almost 70 per cent, once your baby reaches two pounds. Ninety per cent of infants weighing between two and four pounds survive.

HEALTHY EATING

Be sure to get enough liquids, especially during the summer months. Water is the best drink. It helps to keep your kidneys working well and to avoid constipation.

FACT OF THE WEEK

If you have four or more contractions in one hour, call your doctor. Here are some clues to help you determine whether less frequent contractions are possible warning signs:

• Are the contractions regular? In general, contractions at regular intervals are a sign of real labour, although some women never have regular contractions.
• Walk - if labour strengthens, call your doctor. False labour contractions usually decrease with movement.
• In general, true labour contractions grow in intensity. With false labour, intensity may waver or decrease. Early contractions may feel like indigestion.
• Drink a cup of hot tea while taking a warm, relaxing bath - if you haven't had any leakage of fluids. This can slow or stop false contractions.
• Don't be afraid to pay a visit to your doctor or go to the hospital. False labour and real labour can be difficult to differentiate.

Find out what to expect in week 25 of your pregnancy.

For a list of all the pregnancy week by week articles click here

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