Week 24 Pregnancy: Viability Week

Why Week 24 Matters

Week 24 is often called viability week. This is the point where, if baby were born prematurely, they would have a chance of survival with intensive medical care. While every week in the womb improves outcomes, reaching this milestone is meaningful for many parents.

Baby Development

At 24 weeks, your baby:

• Weighs about 1.3 pounds and is about 12 inches long
• Has a fully formed face (though still thin)
• Is developing taste buds and can taste what mom eats through amniotic fluid
• Has sleep and wake cycles
• Responds to sound, talk to your baby!

For Mom This Week

Your partner might be experiencing:

• Increased energy (compared to first trimester)
• Visible kicks and movements
• Possible Braxton Hicks contractions (practice contractions)
• The glucose screening test (usually between weeks 24-28)

What Dads Can Do

• Feel the kicks - Baby is big enough now that you should be able to feel movement from outside
• Go to the glucose test - She has to drink a very sweet drink and wait an hour. Good company helps
• Start discussing names - If you have not narrowed it down yet
• Plan the nursery - Second trimester energy will not last forever

Conversations to Have

This is a good time to discuss:

• Childcare plans (waiting lists can be long)
• Parental leave logistics
• Birth preferences and classes

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