Week 24

My Baby's Development

The placenta is still providing your baby with oxygen. But once your baby was given birth, his or her lungs will start to take in oxygen on their own. In preparation for that, your baby lungs’ ability to produce surfactant are developing. Surfactant is a substance that keeps the air sacs in our lungs from collapsing and sticking together when we exhale, allowing us to breathe properly.

Because the inner ear (which controls balance in the body) is now completely developed, your baby may be able to tell when he or she is upside down or right side up while floating and making movements in the amniotic fluid.

My Body

Glucose screening is an important prenatal test. It is usually performed sometime during week 24 to 28. The test checks for gestational diabetes (a temporary type of diabetes) that occurs during pregnancy and can cause problems in the newborn (such as low blood sugar). Gestational diabetes may also increase the chances of a cesarean section during delivery because it can lead to a growth of very huge babies. In a glucose screening test, you'll drink a sugary solution and then have your blood drawn. If your blood sugar level is too high, you'll be requested for further tests. Gestational diabetes usually can be controlled by eating a well-planned diet and getting regular exercises. But sometimes medication (such as daily insulin) will be needed during the pregnancy.