Fetus at 24 weeks gestation

Week 24 is already the end of the sixth month of pregnancy. The most tranquil for woman second trimester continues. The age of the fetus is 22 weeks.

Fetal development at 24 weeks gestation

The weight of the fetus at 24 weeks gestation is a little over half a kilogram. Its growth is about 33 cm.

At 24 weeks, the development of the fetal breathing system is completed. The mechanism that allows oxygen to penetrate from the lungs into the blood continues to improve. Getting into the lungs, the air spreads through a complex system of bronchi and bronchioles, which terminate in the alveoli. Cells of the alveoli at this time already produce a surfactant. This is a special substance that does not allow the walls of the air sac to stick together during breathing, and also kills bacteria that are introduced with air. Only after the surfactant begins to appear in the fetal lungs, the child can breathe and is able to survive outside the mother's womb. If a baby is born as a result of premature births before this moment, then it does not survive.

At this point, the work of the sebaceous and sweat glands has already been adjusted.

Perfected sensory organs. The baby hears, experiences the emotions transmitted from the mother, discerns the taste, squints at the bright light.

At this stage of development of the fetus, he also has his own mode of sleep and wakefulness. Most of the time the baby sleeps. At the same time, his sleep also has a fast and slow phase (everything is like a real person). Scientists believe that during this period the crumb can already see dreams.

As for the appearance of the baby, the fetus at 24 weeks has already such a face as it will be at birth. The nose and lips are formed. The eyes are not as wide apart as they were 1-2 months ago. There are eyebrows above the eyes, and eyelashes on the eyelids. The ears have already taken their place.

Fetal movement at 24 weeks gestation

Despite the fact that the baby occupies almost the entire uterus, he continues to be interested in everything that surrounds him: he thrusts into the walls of the uterus, probes the umbilical cord and even tumbles. At this time for his mom, his movements are particularly noticeable.