24 Weeks Pregnant: What to Expect, Baby Development & Viability Milestone
24 weeks pregnant: what to know right now
Baby: Size of an ear of corn (~11.8 inches, ~1.3 lbs) · Lungs producing surfactant, inner ear fully formed, responds to sound · Body: Round ligament pain, Braxton Hicks, backache, possible swelling · Key milestone: 24-week viability threshold — 50–70% survival with full NICU support · Coming up: Glucose tolerance test (weeks 24–28)
Here's everything happening with your baby and your body this week.
The gestational diabetes (GD) test involves drinking a glucose solution and a blood draw. It
🌱 Baby's development this week
- Surfactant production in lungs begins
- Face fully formed with distinct features
- Brain has taste receptors — baby prefers flavors of foods you eat
- Optic nerves developing
The flavors a mother eats permeate amniotic fluid, and studies show babies born to mothers who ate garlic, carrot, and anise during pregnancy show preference for those flavors after birth.
🤰 Your symptoms this week
💛 Changes in your body
- Glucose tolerance test (GD screening) typically at 24–28 weeks
- Braxton Hicks become more noticeable
- Linea nigra (dark line) clearly visible
- Possible carpal tunnel syndrome from fluid retention
Gestational diabetes diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it
24 Weeks: The Viability Threshold Explained
At 24 weeks, the pregnancy crosses a medically significant threshold: the point at which most hospitals consider active resuscitation of a premature baby. This doesn't mean 24 weeks is "safe" — it means survival is possible with intensive support.
Survival at 24 weeks: Approximately 50–70% with full neonatal intensive care. Long-term outcomes are harder to predict at this gestation; approximately 20–35% of 24-week survivors are discharged without serious long-term disability, though outcomes vary significantly by hospital, birth weight, and individual factors.
Why 24 weeks matters legally and medically: In many countries, 24 weeks is the upper limit for termination of pregnancy and the threshold at which doctors are legally and ethically required to resuscitate. This threshold was set decades ago when 24 weeks was the minimum survival point; outcomes have improved since.
Your immediate priority: the glucose test. The gestational diabetes screening test is scheduled between weeks 24–28. If you haven't had it, book it now. Undiagnosed GDM increases risks for you and baby in the third trimester — it's one of the most important preventable complications of pregnancy.
Also worth reading ahead: the week 28 guide covers kick counting and third-trimester preparation in detail.
For all prenatal tests — including exactly what the glucose test involves and what a positive result means — see Prenatal Tests Explained →.
🥗 Nutrition focus
- Eat varied, flavorful foods — you
- s palate
- Iron and vitamin C together at every meal — anemia peaks in the second trimester
- Probiotic-rich foods (yogurt, kefir) support both your gut and baby
Glucose tolerance test: typically 24–28 weeks. A 50g glucose drink followed by a blood test 1 hour later. Abnormal results lead to a 3-hour diagnostic test.
✅ This week's checklist
Frequently Asked Questions: 24 Weeks Pregnant
How big is baby at 24 weeks?+
At 24 weeks, your baby is approximately 11.8 inches (30 cm) long and weighs about 1.3 lbs (600 g) — roughly the size of an ear of corn. Baby's proportions are becoming more newborn-like as fat deposits begin forming under the skin.
What are common symptoms at 24 weeks pregnant?+
Common symptoms at 24 weeks: round ligament pain (sharp pains in the lower abdomen when moving), Braxton Hicks practice contractions, back pain, swollen ankles by evening, increased discharge, and vivid dreams. Linea nigra (the dark vertical line on the abdomen) is usually visible by this stage.
What is the viability threshold at 24 weeks?+
24 weeks is the medical viability threshold in most countries — the gestation at which survival outside the womb is considered medically possible. Survival rates with full NICU care are approximately 50–70% at 24 weeks, rising to 80–90% at 26 weeks and 95%+ at 34 weeks.
When is the glucose tolerance test done?+
The glucose tolerance test (GTT) for gestational diabetes is typically scheduled between weeks 24–28. The 1-hour glucose challenge test doesn't require fasting. If results are elevated, a 3-hour fasting GTT follows. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed in approximately 10% of pregnancies and is manageable — most cases are controlled by diet.
What trimester is 24 weeks pregnant?+
24 weeks is in the second trimester, which runs from week 14 through week 27. You have approximately 16 weeks until your due date. Week 28 begins the third trimester.
Track your pregnancy week by week
Interactive guide · 40 weeks · Fruit size visualizations · Personalized tips
Explore Week 24 in the Interactive Guide →