24 weeks pregnant symptoms pain?

Week-by-week guide to pregnancy
group of pregnant women
When you're pregnant, you have lots of questions. Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is packed with lots of useful information. From what's happening inside your body, to how your baby is developing, and tips and advice on having a healthy pregnancy – this is your one-stop pregnancy guide!

1st trimester
2nd trimester
3rd trimester

2nd trimester

Our week-by-week pregnancy guide is full of essential information. From staying fit in pregnancy to advice on your maternity rights, you'll find it all here.

Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Week 17
Week 18
Week 19
Week 20
Week 21
Week 22
Week 23
Week 24
Week 25
Week 26
Week 27

Week 24 – your 2nd trimester

Your baby is now considered "viable" which means they could survive if they were born right now and given the right support.
What's happening in my body?

You may start to feel really hungry, there is no need to eat any more until the 3rd trimester of your pregnancy (week 28 onwards). You're likely to be putting on weight, but do not worry if you can barely see your bump, as every pregnancy is different.
Alcohol

It can be hard to give up alcohol, but remember:

alcohol goes to your baby too
the risks for your baby include miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, learning difficulties and behavioural problems

If you would like some help or advice, ask your midwife or doctor. Read NHS guidance about the effect of drinking alcohol while pregnant.

Have you had your jabs?

Have you had a whooping cough vaccination yet? It's usually offered to pregnant women between 16 and 32 weeks. Whooping cough can kill, and it's on the increase.

This free vaccination could protect your baby during the first few weeks of their life. Speak to your midwife or doctor about it. Read NHS guidance about the whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy.

2nd trimester pregnancy symptoms (at 24 weeks)

Week by week, you may be developing various new symptoms. Around now, you could be getting pains around your ribs, back, breasts, bottom, stomach, etc. This is partly due to your pregnancy hormones loosening up your ligaments and muscles, and your growing baby pushing on various parts of your body.

This week, your signs of pregnancy could include:

tiredness and sleeping problems (week 19 has information about feeling tired)
stretch marks (read about stretch marks on week 17's page)
swollen and bleeding gums (week 13 has information about gum health during pregnancy)
pains on the side of your baby bump, caused by your expanding womb ("round ligament pains")
piles (read about piles on week 22's page)
headaches
backache
nosebleeds
indigestion and heartburn (week 25 talks about digestive problems)
bloating and constipation (read about bloating on week 16's page)
leg cramps (week 20 explains how to deal with cramp)
feeling hot
dizziness
swollen hands and feet
urine infections
vaginal infections (see week 15 for vaginal health)
darkened skin on your face or brown patches - this is known as chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy"
greasier, spotty skin
thicker and shinier hair

You may also experience symptoms from earlier weeks, such as:

mood swings (week 8's page has information on mood swings)
morning sickness (read about dealing with morning sickness on week 6's page)
weird pregnancy cravings (read about pregnancy cravings on week 5's page)
a heightened sense of smell
sore or leaky breasts (read about breast pain on week 14's page) - a white milky pregnancy discharge from your vagina and light spotting (seek medical advice for any bleeding)

Read Tommy's guide to common pregnancy symptoms.
What does my baby look like?

Your baby, or foetus, is around 30cm long from head to heel, and weighs about 600g. That's approximately the size of an ear of corn, and the weight of a big tub of low fat cottage cheese.

Everything is in proportion, but your baby is smaller than a baby who's been in the womb for longer.

If your baby was born now, there is a chance they will survive outside the womb. Baby units for premature babies (called “neonatal units”) can help them breathe, feed, keep warm and fight infections. Read NHS guidance about premature labour and birth.

Action stations

Have you thought about writing a birth plan yet? This sets out what you would ideally like to happen during the birth and after your baby is born. Find out how to make a birth plan and download a birth plan template. Talk to your partner, family, midwife or doctor.

This week you could also...