Being Pregnant
Life at 24 Weeks
I’m 24 weeks along. So, does that make me six months pregnant? This tracking system always confuses me a bit, since I’m not due for three and a half more months. (With how much I have to accomplish I’ll take that half month, thank you very much.)
Here is my 24-week breakdown: A glance at how my life looks (scroll down for pics), and a summary of how things are going in this belly of mine.
Due in or around December? I’d love to hear how you’re doing too!
Size of baby: She weighs just over a pound and is about as long as an ear of corn, though that ear would be nice and filled out.
Weight gain: 15 pounds. I think I lied last time; I had gained more like ten pounds. But I was still surprised to learn that I gained five pounds in one month. I’m kinda hoping this rate will slow down.
How I’m Feeling: I feel good, and round. I have Braxton Hicks contractions that occasionally leave me flushed with a very rapid heartrate. I got very lightheaded during one, but that hasn’t happened since. I carry Tums with me everywhere to fight heartburn. I am feeling grateful to be carrying this baby, and reminded of what a miracle it is when they are born without any complications.
What I’m Craving: I’m surprised to say this, but I crave very little right now. Usually nothing sounds good, especially for dinner—except frozen yogurt, and a lot of it.
What I’m Wearing: Anything that will keep me cool and comfortable. For now, I still wear a lot of no-waist or high-waist dresses as well as a great pair of cotton maternity pants from H&M that are the bomb.
If You Saw Me Today: Hair down (hold the phone, I actually curled it). Wearing a long, striped, black-and-white maternity dress with a big necklace thingy and easy black sandals. Looking quite pregnant, with a much rounder face than I had six months ago. Sitting on the bench near the sandbox, sweat causing my sunglasses to slide down my face, and constantly blowing my nose thanks to the cold that is compounding my pregnancy congestion.
Movement: It seems this baby is more active every day. I get lots of repeated punches and kicks, and I can feel her whole body roll over from time to time … and see it, too. Those ones usually get a “whoa!” out of me.
Sleep: I’m having an easier time falling asleep, but more trouble staying that way, not only because my bladder seems to be the size of a pea, but also because I can’t get comfortable. I also wake up on my back a lot, which is apparently not the best way for a pregnant woman to be sleeping.
What I Miss: Not straining to put my child in the car. Not worrying about straining my body, in general. My previous desire to exercise, which has totally waned. Taking any and all cough and cold medications.
Best Moment So Far: Sharing the news of our baby girl with my family, in person. (I don’t live near any relatives, so this was a rare treat.)
Gender: Still a girl, as far as I know. I have another ultrasound next week, so I’ll let you know if anything changes.
Here are some recent pics of me … and mine. All three of us.
Go Back To Being Pregnant
9 Comments
Janelle commented on Aug 30 11 at 4:58 pmI’m 25 weeks, so just a bit ahead of you. I’m also having a girl–my first baby. As of my last appointment I’d gained 13 lbs so I’m probably at 15-16 by now. Huge spurt in the last few weeks. My thighs rub together when I walk, which is….unpleasant. Feeling really good. Quite normal. My hips hurting at night is my only complaint. No really strong cravings, sadly. I do like ketchup now, even though it used to make me gag. I’m wearing skirts or dresses nearly every day because I feel dumpy in pants…but I’ll have to figure something else out since it’ll be cold soon. Baby is very, very active. I think there was a thunderstorm in there the other day. Sleep isn’t great, but most of that can be blamed on my cat. I miss wine and not counting protein grams (I’m a vegetarian). Best moment so far was being able to tell my grandpa I was pregnant before he died…and having him touch my belly the day before he passed away. Finished!
alismith commented on Aug 30 11 at 5:10 pmJanelle, that little experience with your grandpa sounds so sweet. I’m happy you got to share the news with him.
And I know what you mean about pants. I think they are going to be difficult, too. I ripped the crotch in my last pair of nice pregnancy jeans. :)
susan commented on Aug 30 11 at 7:04 pmI’m 24.5 weeks with my first pregnancy—a boy—but I have two other children (through adoption) that keep me busy. The time is going to fast and I know this kid will be much easier to care for in the womb then out. I miss milkshakes (something about listeria) and struggle to eat enough protein. I love feeling the baby move since its a reminder that he is my pal, with me where ever I go!
I’m trying to hang on with a few loose shirts and rubberbanded shorts to keep me through this final heat wave. Hopefully it will cool off soon so I can buy my final maternity clothes and wear them like a uniform until the end.
I’ve gained 16 pounds. It could be less but I tend to really stuff my face when I’m tired, of which I am now. All the time. Such a small price to pay though for a human life. :o)
Katie commented on Aug 31 11 at 8:24 amI’m 23 weeks today with our first (a boy). I already feel like a whale, and I know the growth is just really beginning. Have only gained 9 lbs, but 6 were in one month! Midwives were not happy about that. Whatever…. Wearing mostly dresses as I live in the seventh circle of hell: Georgia in August. I can’t complain too much about the physical. For me, it’s all been about the emotional. I’ve had a rather eventful pregnancy, even though I’ve been feeling great! I was in the ER with a ruptured ovarian cyst at 12 weeks. Luckily, I knew what it was (has happened multiple times, lucky me), but everyone else was afraid it was an ectopic. Yikes. Morphine drip for the night. Then at 20 weeks we found out that the baby will have to have surgery as soon as he’s born to fix a birth defect with his umbilical cord (I know I’ve mentioned it before in a comment). For whatever reason, I always start crying when I think of him not having a bellybutton (he’ll just have a scar). It seems like a really silly thing in the grand scheme, but it always chokes me up and sends me to panic-ville.
Other than that crap, I’m doing okay. Have had lots of sacrum pain (possibly due to too many long cart trips). But I do yoga 1-2 times a week. And I put my feet up… a lot. We just started to feel him move on the outside this week. My husband now touches my belly a whole lot more! Which is cute. Once the baby is big enough to see him move through my skin, we’ll have to watch Alien to celebrate.
Glad you’re doing well.
alismith commented on Aug 31 11 at 10:16 amLadies, could the weather just cool down already? Hopefully it will be easier to get dressed once this heat and humidity breaks down. Did someone say they live in Georgia? I thought it was bad here in Virginia but that’s got to be worse!
And how come no one has told me to stay clear of milkshakes? I daresay I’ve had more than my fair share. (And I wonder how I gained 5 lbs. in one month.)
Shelby commented on Aug 31 11 at 12:23 pmHi Ali! I love your babble posts. I’m on #3 but only about 18 weeks along. I find out next week the sex and of course I’m nervous as always. Maybe a bit more this time. I think the more kids I have the more I realize how grateful I am that they are so healthy. I’m in love with your dress. Do tell where you got it. You look fabulous. I hope VA is treating you well. (Thanks to Dede for posting a link to your posts on facebook I found out you were writing for babble about your pregnancy and it’s fun to follow along since I’m a bit behind you.)
Jennifer commented on Aug 31 11 at 2:40 pmIm 23 weeks and 4 days. I feel gianormous, although everyone very kindly tells me that I look great. lol
Our lil baby girl was weighing in at a pound last week, not sure how long she is they didnt say. As far as how much weight Ive gained? I have no idea. I stop looking after my first trimester. I had gained 4 pounds during those months. I mostly wear maternity skinny jeans and fitted t-shirts. They seem to be my staple these days. Thank goodness we dont have to dress up at work. I’m feeling pretty good these days, I usually work out about 3 times a week. My hips and back are starting to hurt, which is causing sleep to be harder to come by between that and my tiny bladder. Baby girl is moving like crazy. I love having the feeling of knowing that she is wiggling around in there. I really havent been craving anything lately either, although last night I wouldve killed someone if I didnt get to KFC fast enough for some fried chicken. My appetite is a lot stronger these days, I feel like I am always hungry. And she kicks me if I dont eat fast enough. What I miss is wine, sleeping on my back and not having to get up 3 times a night to pee. Best movement so far would have to be when we found out it was a girl, I cried with excitement. So glad that your’re doing good, and I look forward to reading more about your pregancy as it progresses. :)
alismith commented on Sep 01 11 at 3:33 pm@Jennifer: You are a wise woman. I need to stop looking at the scale during those doctor’s visits. Especially if I keep eating frozen yogurt like I do.
@Shelby: I got that dress at a mall shop called Destination Maternity. I like it, but it’s a bit on the itchier side of jersey, which is a little more noticeable when the dress goes all the way down to your ankles.
Robyn commented on Sep 01 11 at 7:21 pmHey,
I’m 24 weeks too! Do people comment on the fact that you are delivering in December? I get that all the time. Interesting to hear that you are getting Braxton Hicks contractions. I wonder if I would recognize it if it happened.
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