Pregnancy Week - 24 Weeks Pregnant

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Pregnancy Week 24

**Please note- Your Due Date is calculated from your last menstrual period, which corresponds to our Pregnancy Week by Week articles.

Week 24

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby continues to grow more proportional each and every day. During pregnancy week 24 her organ systems continue to mature as do the central nervous system, digestive system and even reproductive and circulatory systems. During a pregnancy at 24 weeks your baby's lungs are also starting to form little branches and will eventually start producing a substance called surfactant which happens closer to the time your baby's lungs start maturing.

The amniotic fluid surrounding your baby begins to increase in volume after about pregnancy 24 weeks.. This continues until delivery when your uterus will hold up to 2 pints of amniotic fluid.

Your Growth and Development
Your uterus continues to grow at pregnancy 24 weeks, now between 1 ½ and 2 inches above your belly button. Many women are surprised that people want to start rubbing their bellies as they start to show during pregnancy at 24 weeks and beyond. While some women don't mind, others feel uncomfortable. It isn't uncommon for perfect strangers to come up to you and rub your belly.

If it really bothers you, you can always tell them you are ticklish. Or head them off by patting your own belly that way your hand is in the way and may prevent them from reaching out to touch your belly without an invitation. Remember that babies tend to fill the world with joy, that's why so many people are fond of rubbing a pregnant woman's belly. Others believe there is luck to be had by rubbing a pregnant woman's belly... while this has yet to be 'proven' it certainly can't hurt!

Changes in You
Your baby has less and less room to move in your womb after you are about 24 weeks pregnant. You should be feeling strong kicks by 24 weeks pregnant, but gradually your baby's movements will start to seem slower and more rhythmic rather than all over the place. This is perfectly normal.

Though your babies first kicks and movements will seem random, gradually your baby will be kicking regularly. You should notice patterns of wakefulness and sleeping throughout the day. Enjoy each and every moment you have to enjoy your baby's gymnastics. It may seem hard to believe but you will miss the feeling of your baby moving around inside of you once you give birth.

Pregnancy Pillows
Pregnancy Pillows May Help Improve Anxiety Symptoms During Pregnancy

Many women have a difficult time dealing with stress and anxiety during pregnancy. This may result for many reasons, including pending anxiety and stress related to adding a new member to your family. For other women, anxiety and stress result from increasing discomforts associated with side effects during pregnancy.

While meditation and yoga may help address anxiety and stress in some ways, a great way to relieve the anxiety associated with poor sleep is by using a pregnancy pillow during pregnancy. Pregnancy pillows like Snoozer Pregnancy Pillows can help improve your comfort dramatically during pregnancy.
Watch our pregnancy pillows video on youtube.com.

Maternity Clothes
Career/Collections:
Working Moms Can Find Classy, Sophisticated Wear

You need to look great at work but don’t want to spend a fortune on maternity wear, right? Don’t worry! Fortunately for today’s mom-to-be there is a huge selection of career collections that range in price to suit every working mom-to-be’s budget, size and even style preferences!

If you plan on working throughout your pregnancy you will benefit from buying career collections that contain several mix and match pieces. Consider collections at Destination Maternity for Career Pants and a few different blouses or blazers. Believe it or not, you can survive your entire pregnancy with just a few carefully chosen outfits if you invest in one of the many career collections available today! Whether you are the CEO of a major corporation or work for a small office of less than 20 employees, rest assured you can find just what you are looking for when it comes to career maternity wear!

Pregnancy Health Tips
Many women consider this time of pregnancy their special time. Some women deeply enjoy the second and third trimester. During this time, you basically get your little cherub all to yourself. Once you deliver your baby, you may be surprised at the number of relatives, friends and well-meaning peers that want to pop by and visit.

Some women lament the loss of this private time they have to share with their baby. Though your husband may occasionally enjoy feeling your baby move, by and large this is the one time you can truly enjoy your little one all to yourself.

There are many people that believe that reading to their baby or playing music to their baby while in utero is beneficial. While there are several studies that both support and refute these notions, the fact of the matter is anything that helps you feel more bonded and loving to your child is worthwhile. If you feel like playing calming music to your baby then do so. Remember that babies can hear in the womb, and you never know your little one might be tapping their hand to the beat of the music just like you.

Did you know that your baby will actually recognize you before all other people immediately after birth? Your baby can actually detect your unique smell after birth. This provides your baby with comfort and warmth. Your baby also learns to recognize your voice very shortly after birth. One way you can encourage your partner to bond with your baby before birth is by having them read or talk to your baby while you are pregnant. This will encourage your partner at the very earliest age to participate in baby's life and help him feel like an important partner in the pregnancy and birthing process.

Many parents also find the second trimester a fun time to start weeding through the hundreds and thousands of baby names out there. For all of you who think selecting a name is easy, think again. One partner will come up with one name and the other will come up with two dozen other. A name that seems good at one point may not seem so good at another. Keep in mind that for most people a name is a very identifying and personable aspect of their identity. If at all possible consider a name or names that might have some kind of special significance or meaning. When you do so you will have a lovely story to tell your child one day about their name.

Don't be surprised however if you change your mind in the delivery room. Many parents have picked out a name ahead of time only to find that they change their minds once their baby is born and they get a good look at them. John may suddenly seem like a Joe, or surprise of all surprises, a Joe may actually be a Jane! You simply never know. Selecting a baby name however is another one of life's little pleasures that you can enjoy for the rest of your pregnancy. If you do decide on a name ahead of time you may find comfort calling your precious cherub that name instead of Baby X for the duration of your pregnancy. Have fun with it. Take poll at work. Check out some of the more common baby names... then check out some that are more unusual. Just remember to have fun in the process!

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