What pregnancy week 24 means
A key developmental milestone. “24 weeks pregnant” means 24 weeks have passed since the first day of the last menstrual period — the standard way pregnancy is dated. Conception usually happened about two weeks after that date, so the baby’s own age (fetal age) is roughly 22 weeks. Week 24 runs from 24 weeks 0 days to 24 weeks 6 days; on the following day the pregnancy is 25 weeks.
Your baby at 24 weeks
The lungs, brain and other organs continue to mature, and the baby’s face is almost fully formed. Twenty-four weeks is an important milestone in neonatal care because survival outside the womb with intensive care becomes possible from around this point.
A common way to picture it: the baby is now about the size of an ear of corn — roughly about 30 cm and about 600 g. These are averages; babies grow at different rates, and ultrasound measurements vary.
Your body at 24 weeks
The uterus is now a little above the belly button. Heartburn, constipation and an aching back are common as the bump grows.
Care and appointments around week 24
Screening for gestational diabetes, often a glucose drink followed by a blood test, is commonly done between 24 and 28 weeks.
The timing of tests and appointments differs between countries and care providers. If anything worries you — such as bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, fever, or a change in your baby’s movements — contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away rather than waiting for your next appointment.
Week 24 in your pregnancy timeline
Week 24 is in the second trimester (weeks 14–27) and in pregnancy month 6, which covers roughly weeks 23–27. The third trimester begins in 4 weeks.
| Pregnancy start (first day of last period) | |
|---|---|
| Estimated conception | |
| Third trimester begins (28 weeks) | |
| Full term (39 weeks) | |
| Estimated due date (40 weeks) |
Dates assume you are exactly 24 weeks 0 days today. For dates based on your own last period, use the calculator above or the main Pregnancy Calculator.
24 weeks pregnant in days and months
24 weeks is 168 days of pregnancy — 60% of a 40-week pregnancy. Counted in calendar months, 24 weeks is about 5.5 months, which is usually described as month 6 of pregnancy. Months are only a rough grouping; healthcare professionals almost always talk in weeks and days because they are more precise. See Pregnancy Month Calculator for how weeks map to months.