Your Pregnancy: A Week-by-Week Guide

You are 24 Weeks Pregnant!

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU

It is very normal to experience anxiety about your pregnancy weight gain. The prospect of putting on 25 to 30 pounds in less than a year is one that many women fear or dread. As your appetite increases, with your feeling of well-being, during the second trimester -- and due to changes in your metabolism -- you may find it extremely easy to gain weight. Your body is doing what it is supposed to! Just keep in mind that while you might be able to indulge in an occasional chocolate bar or piece of baklava when not pregnant, it might turn into fat now. Make every calorie count by eating a varied diet of healthy foods. Select snacks from foods such as cheese, plain yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, fruits and veggies.
Much of the weight gained during pregnancy goes to your baby and the products of conception:

Fetus: 7.5 to 8.5 pounds
Amniotic fluid: 1 to 2 pounds
Placenta: 1 to 2 pounds
Increase of blood and fluid volume: 4 to 8 pounds
Uterine muscles: 2 to 3 pounds
Breasts: 2 to 3 pounds
Fat deposits around internal organs: 2 to 10 pounds

So far at 24 weeks, I've gained 10 lbs. Not too bad I think. I'll be happy if in these last 16 weeks I only gain another 10 lbs...or hopefully less then that. :)

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

Rapid eye movement has begun. Your baby, weighs in at one pound, six ounces, and measures 21 centimeters crown-to-rump.
Remember that if you drink alcohol or smoke during pregnancy it is never too late to quit! Each day you go without a drink or cigarette improves your baby's chance of being healthy at birth and beyond. Drinking alcohol is the number one cause of mental retardation.

EATING FOR TWO

Dehydration may cause preterm labor or an increase in uterine irritability, so be sure to drink six to eight (eight ounce) glasses of fluids every day. It helps some women to fill two, one-quart containers with water each morning so they don't lose count as the day progresses. Fruit juices and milk can count toward the magic 64.

It's easier said then done to drink 64 oz of fluids when your pregnant! I guess if you don't mind being in the bathroom all day long it's not a big deal but.....I don't like too! I do try to drink water as much as possible, it's just not usually the 64 oz that recommended.

FACT OF THE WEEK

This is an excellent time to review some warning signs. Be sure to let your care provider know -- day or night -- if you have any of these signs or symptoms of preterm labor.
These would include uterine contractions or tightenings that increase in frequency or are occurring five times in one hour. Notify your provider or the hospital if you have any bleeding -- even if it is scant or brown in color. If you have any vaginal discharge -- especially if it is watery -- this could be a sign of a leak or rupture in your amniotic sac. Infection is a risk, so call your care provider immediately. If you notice a change in the pattern of your baby's movement, it would be good to notify them as well. Maternal symptoms, such as severe or persistent headache, abdominal pain, pain with urination or backache that might indicate a bladder or kidney infection should never be ignored.

· Are you really in labor?

· Are the contractions regular? In general, contractions coming at regular intervals are a sign of real labor, although some women never have regular contractions.

· Walk: If labor strengthens, call your practitioner. False labor contractions usually decrease with movement.

· In general, true labor contractions become more intense. With false labor, intensity may waver or decrease. Early contractions may feel like indigestion.

· Call your practitioner. Get his or her opinion about what is going on. It may be better to make an unnecessary trip to the office or hospital, rather than ignore a situation that could be serious.

· Drink a cup of hot tea while taking a warm, relaxing bath -- if you haven't had any leakage of fluids. This can slow or stop false contractions.

· Don't be afraid to pay a visit to your practitioner or go to the hospital. False labor and real labor can be difficult to differentiate.