weekly pregancy calendar week 24

Photo by bam61907

I'm following a first-time pregnant mom, bam61907 on her exciting journey from bump to baby. Check back every Wednesday for the latest developments!

Week 24

What's Happening with Mom: I cannot believe I'm already in my 24th week. I hope it continues to go by fast so I can have my baby girl in my arms soon!

I'm feeling good, but exhausted -- the fatigue is kicking my butt! I've had to take naps and I never take naps. Still no burst of energy -- not even a little.

I think I'm having Braxton Hicks contractions off and on. I'm going to ask my midwife about them at my next prenatal appointment on the 31st.

Everyone says I'm really only gaining weight in my stomach, which I guess is good, but I've been small my whole life so it's hard to watch the increase. And the one physical symptom that stands out to me more than any other is that my boobs are getting bigger!

Aubrey has been kicking like crazy this week. It feels like pressure from the inside, like she's pushing and trying to get out. Lots of times I can actually see exactly where she is. It's like she's just boxing the heck out of my stomach!

No news on being re-stationed yet, and no news is great news with the military.

What's Happening with Baby: I'm still accumulating fat, which means I'm packing on the ounces rapidly -- I weigh about one and a half pounds now and am around 12 inches long. I'm practicing sucking my thumb, my facial features are well formed and if born now, right around or after 24 weeks, I'd have more than a 50 percent chance of survival.

Question of the Week from Pregnancy:

When do women begin experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions and how can you tell the difference between them and real labor contractions? -- jessicabarker

I started having them at around 18 weeks and my stomach would harden for a few seconds. -- mom-to-be21

I had my first at around 17 weeks. I get a slight cramp with pressure and then my uterus/stomach gets extremely hard for a few seconds. -- Mary_W

You can have Braxton Hicks your entire pregnancy. The big difference is that they aren't consistent -- they don't build and get faster. It's just your body practicing. -- Momforhealth

Have you experienced Braxton Hicks contractions yet? When did you first have them, and what did they feel like to you?

Past weeks:

Week 23

Week 22

Week 21

Week 20

Week 19

Week 18

Week 17

Week 16

Week 15

Weeks 13 & 14

Week 12

Week 11

Week 10

Week 9

Week 8

Week 7