As you enter pregnancy week 24; something magical has occurred. If, for some unexpected reason your baby decides to make an early entrance to the world, they are actually developed enough to have a strong chance of making it. Your baby now weighs about 1.3 pounds, is roughly the size of a cob of corn, and is sensitive to loud noises, light, hot and cold, and can taste that chocolate you had 3am last night!

Pregnancy week 24 is a welcome relief for many soon-to-be-moms. It's during this time that many baby doctors suggest that they have a strong chance of surviving if a premature birth were to occur. Your baby has developed all of the necessary vital organs, nervous system and respiratory functions needed to live with the support of some technology, if needed. However, as much as you might want to have that living baby inside of you – out, we still want baby to cook a little longer and add on a few more pounds before they come into the world so they have a better chance for a healthy and live a prosperous life.

Baby’s Development

This living and breathing baby inside of you has really come a long way in less than six months. The baby is now about a foot long, weighs about 1.3 pounds (up about 4 oz. from last week) and could easily be mistaken for the average ear of corn. At this point, their bones, organs and tissues are protected by a thin layer of whitish, waxy-type material that has formed on their skin. This will wash off once they are born and fade within the first week or two of birth.

There is more development of their lungs going on inside your tummy in week 24 – which is why we want baby to stay inside you and develop stronger lungs before they are born. Your new baby has a fully formed face that has built in eyebrows, hair and eyelashes. Those eyes are still sans-color, but they will develop a unique shade in the upcoming weeks. Babies in week 24 have all of the basic parts in place – they just need more time to get stronger.

Mother’s Development

A common side-effect of becoming pregnant and having a baby-bump is that you may feel a bit unstable as you walk. This is common due to the simple fact that your center of gravity has shifted dramatically in the past 5 ½ months. This is why new mothers should be very cautious about standing up, getting out of bed, and walking in general. You'll want to take time standing up to avoid a sudden rush of blood from your brain – as this is very typical for mommies-to-be.

It's also very common for women to experience minor dental issues during pregnancy which can include tooth sensitivity, or swollen or bleeding gums. Although there is an old wives’ tale that states that you'll lose one tooth for every baby you have, this simply isn't true; especially when you're proactive about dental care. Always take time to visit your dentist during your pregnancy. A good idea is to schedule three month visits from the moment you are pregnant. Frequent brushing, flossing and mouthwash use will significantly reduce chances of you losing that ‘baby’ tooth.

Fun Facts

While your baby is cooking and getting nice and plump inside you, it's common for new mommies to consider how to decorate their rooms or what 'furniture' they'll need. Week 24 is a great time to finalize these plans. However, as tempting as it might be to plan all aspects of your baby’s décor, for the first few months, your baby really won't need a lot of creature comforts. They'll spend the majority of their time sleeping; so making sure they have a warm and comfortable bed to sleep in should be your first priority. Work with your partner and family members to set up your baby room initially and for the next few months.