24-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Can you feel the baby reacting to noises and your caresses yet? Towards the end of the second trimester is when some women report that this starts to happen, so be on the lookout. Read more to learn what to expect at 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Baby development
As the baby’s brain connections get more adept at receiving signals from its receptor sensory organs, they are gradually storing sensory experiences - tastes of food that you share with them and your scent. They are used to your soundscape - your heartbeat, your breathing, even your stomach gurgling - and can distinguish this muffled interior hubbub from all the new sounds from outside: music, your voice, that of your partner plus all the other less pleasant noises (you knew they were smart!). So talk to your baby. Tell them what you’re up to, what you see, what you hear, even what you feel. From birth, they will recognize your voice, your partner’s voice, and maybe even the music you liked to listen to during their sojourn.
Your body
Mom is laughing – that’s great! Did you know that the baby may be more and more aware of how you are feeling? Their perception can be quite well developed in addition to all the other more obvious physical developments. So do try not to overdo things, whether at work, in the house, or during your leisure time. Even if you still feel perfectly fit, try to relax from time to time.
Nutrition
This is a good time to double check you are doing all you can to get enough iron in your diet. Why is it important? If your diet isn’t rich enough in iron, the baby may still have its needs satisfied – but it will come from your iron reserves, which means you run a high risk of becoming anemic. And not only during the pregnancy. Anemia can be exacerbated by childbirth. Experts recommend that healthy pregnant women take a prenatal multivitamin containing 16 to 20 mg of iron. In addition, ensure your diet includes iron-rich foods such as meat – particularly red meat, poultry, fish, and egg yolks, as well as beans and lentils, spinach, dried fruit, and iron-fortified breakfast cereals . Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, tomatoes, and strawberries, will help your body absorb iron from non-animal sources. Speak to your doctor if you have concerns about anemia or the amount of iron in your diet.
Tips
By now everyone can see that you are having a baby. Many people can’t resist making predictions on whether you’re having a girl or a boy based on the way you are “carrying.” Although it is common to think where the bump sits on the mother determines its sex – up high means it’s a girl, down low by the hips is a boy for sure (or some variation on those beliefs) -this is a completely unfounded belief. Though all the predictions can be fun, if you really want to know the sex of your baby, you can ask your doctor the results of your anatomical ultrasound.
Reference:
SOGC Nutrition Working Group. Clinical Practice Guideline: Canadian Consensus on Female Nutrition: Adolescence, Reproduction, Menopause, and Beyond. JOGC. 2016;38(6):P508-554.
Related articles
10-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
You are already at week 10 of your pregnancy. Still another 29 weeks to go before you get to meet your little love. Learn more about what’s going on this week.
3 mins to read
Your pregnancy snack selector
Moms-to-be in their second and third trimesters need to think about adding a few more calories to their diets — make them healthy ones with these nutritious snack ideas.
3 mins to read
A Good Pre-Conception, Pregnancy, and Post-Pregnancy Diet
Even before you conceive, every bite counts. Wait, that’s a lot to consider, right? Don’t worry, this healthy eating breakdown serves up diet information that will matter to you.
6 mins to read
23-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Your baby’s feet are now 4.5 to 5cm in length now, and they weigh considerably over 700g. You have got around 16 more weeks to go! Read more to learn what to expect in 23 weeks of pregnancy.
3 mins to read
4-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet advice
Almost one month already! There are lots of things happening inside you this week.
3 mins to read
37-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Your baby tends to keep their head down, arms crossed, and legs folded up on their chest as there’s not much room to move around. They’ll be very glad to get out and stretch!
3 mins to read
Healthy Pregnancy Diet & Nutrition
Expecting a child gives new meaning to eating a well-balanced diet.
4 mins to read
Tips to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy
Did you know? If you’re thinking about starting a family, making small changes to your diet and lifestyle now can have a big impact on your baby-to-be in the future.
2 mins to read
17-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Your little one now weighs more than 200g and is looking more and more like a “real” baby every day. Read more to learn what to expect during week 17 of pregnancy.
2 mins to read
31-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
As the big day fast approaches, your little one will soon be moving into position for birth. What a clever baby! But you already knew that. Read more about this week.
2 mins to read
Pregnancy weight gain
There are many things you can do to prepare for the delivery of a healthy baby. One of the most important things is eating right to gain the extra weight you’ll need to support another life.
1 min to read
11-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
If you could look inside, you’d see thin little hairs developing on your baby’s eyebrows and above their lip. Read more about this week.
2 mins to read
They are what you eat
Did you know? Making wise food choices when you’re pregnant can set your baby up for a healthier future.
5 mins to read
25-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Two more weeks left of the second trimester. You are gearing up for the home stretch. Read more to learn what to expect during week 25 of pregnancy
2 mins to read
5-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Though only around the size of a pea, your baby is growing by leaps and bounds. Relatively speaking!
Read more about this week.
2 mins to read
38-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Two more weeks! Yes, it’s true, you and your little one will soon be making each other’s acquaintance. Everything is pretty much in place.
3 mins to read
7 simple food swaps to consider before you get pregnant
Eating well now can have a positive impact on your pregnancy, as well as a lasting effect on your baby’s health.
4 mins to read
18-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Lots of leaps and bounds happening in week 18, from nerve cells multiplying to the beginnings of fingerprints. Read more to learn what baby looks like at 18 weeks of pregnancy.
3 mins to read
32-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Your baby is still developing as you head into the final lap, but it’s mostly perfecting and polishing from here on out. He or she is getting ready to meet you!
2 mins to read
