You are 24 Weeks Exactly 112 days to go…
Even though you’re well settled into your pregnancy, ensure you maintain all those healthy lifestyle habits you’ve established.
Your baby today
As your pregnancy advances your baby’s skeleton starts to
harden, reflecting more of the ultrasound beam and casting black
shadows. In this scan, the forehead casts a shadow, and it is no longer
allowing the brain beneath to be easily seen.
You’ve been pregnant for almost six months
and are, hopefully, feeling great in yourself. Don’t, however, let this
make you complacent. Even though your baby is well developed by this
stage, it’s important to maximize her health, and your own, by
continuing to eat well and taking care of yourself. Changes, such as not
smoking or drinking alcohol, will probably be part of your normal
lifestyle now as opposed to something that you have to think about and
work hard at. If you have not managed to change your lifestyle to become
more healthy, then it is never too late to start. Any changes you make
now will benefit both you and your baby.
While you’ll need to
adapt your exercise routine, if you have one, in these later stages,
ensure you continue to be active and, ideally, do something physical
every day, even if it’s just a 20-minute stroll. Also keep up your daily
Kegel exercises—once the baby is born, you’ll be thankful you did.
… Dads
Hello, it’s Daddy
Don’t be afraid to talk to your baby.
To begin with, she will recognize lower-pitched sounds, such as deep
male voices, more than higher-pitched sounds, like your partner’s voice.
This is good for you since it means that there is plenty of time for
your baby to get to know your voice before she is born. After birth,
your baby will recognize your voice and this will have a calming effect
when she is distressed. So tell her about your day and even read to
her—it helps create a bond.
A correctly worn seat belt reduces the risk of injury to the unborn baby by 70 percent.
In recent research, over
half of pregnant women did not wear their seat belt correctly,
positioning it too high across the abdomen and putting the torso strap
behind them rather than over the shoulder.
How to wear a seat belt
It may feel cumbersome to wear a seat belt while you’re pregnant, but it is essential, and a legal requirement. The good news is it’s possible to buckle up comfortably.
For maximum safety and comfort, wear the seat belt positioned between your breasts and under your belly.
Fasten the belt over your shoulder, as normal, and between your breasts (see image).
Position the lower part of the belt below your belly, and flat over your hips (see image).
If
an emergency stop is necessary, be reassured that your baby is very
safely cushioned by the amniotic fluid that surrounds her and your
strong uterine muscles.
Your 25th Week
The rest of your
pregnancy will pass before you know it. Make sure you have all the
practicalities in hand, such as deciding what date to stop work, and you
might want to give some thought to the birth. Meanwhile, friends and
family will no doubt be monitoring your growing belly with interest. Try
to be patient if they bombard you with advice and don’t listen to too
many “tall tales” about pregnancy and childbirth.
NOTE
It’s the end of the second trimester, so you might want to start looking ahead
You are 24 Weeks and 1 Day 111 days to go…
This week, think about starting discussions with your employer about your upcoming maternity leave.
Your baby today
From this week, brown fat is laid down in your baby’s neck,
chest, and back to be used after birth to produce heat and energy. At
the moment he has no control over his temperature, which is efficiently
maintained at a perfect level by the placenta.
Since you’re more
than halfway through your pregnancy by now and are likely showing,
you’ve probably already told your boss that you’re pregnant. But just
informing your company isn’t enough—you need to know all the details
that pertain to your upcoming maternity leave and what will happen if
you decide to stop working before the baby is born. Every company has
different guidelines; some include paid maternity leave while others do
not. Talk with a human resources representative to discuss your
company’s policies on maternity leave and time off. If paid time off
isn’t available, your company may allow you to use paid vacation days or
sick leave, and you may be eligible for FMLA leave.
… Your body
Stretchy skin
You may have developed stretch marks
due to your skin stretching rapidly as you gain pregnancy weight.
Initially, these marks are pinky/red and can be itchy. After pregnancy,
stretch marks fade to a lighter, silvery color and become less obvious.
They generally occur on the breasts, belly, hips, and thighs, and affect
the majority of pregnant women.
Stretch marks can be
genetic and are more likely to occur the older you are because older
skin is less elastic. Moisturizing the skin won’t prevent stretch marks
but it may help to keep it smooth. A combination of exercising and
eating healthily can minimize the rate at which you gain weight and
“stretch.”
… Doctor
| Q: |
My doctor measured me and said I seem small for dates. What does this mean?
|
| A: |
It means your baby appears to be small for your stage of
pregnancy, but it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem. You’ll be
given a scan for an accurate measurement and so that your baby’s
development can be thoroughly checked.
Sometimes slow
growth is due to a condition called intrauterine growth restriction or
retardation (IUGR). It can be due to a problem with the placenta,
multiple babies, or heart disease in the mother, affecting the nutrients
reaching the baby. Preeclampsia can cause IUGR, as can smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs.
|
You may be eligible for Family and Medical Leave Act leave.
You must have worked for
an employer for at least 12 months (1,250 hours in the past 12 months),
and within 75 miles of 50 or more company employees.
