More baby, more bump 💛

Six months in, your bump is probably getting harder to miss, and your little one is filling out nicely. Week 24 is a lovely moment to pause and take a look back at how far you've come.

📌 Week 24 at a glance

• Trimester: Second
• Baby's size: about the size of a corn cob, or jagung (around 30 cm head to heel)
• Still to come: roughly 16 weeks (a typical pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks)

🌱 Your little one this week

At 24 weeks, your baby weighs around 600 g and measures about 30 cm from head to heel, roughly the size of a corn cob. Everything is in proportion now, although your baby is still smaller than a baby who has been in the womb for longer. The face is fully formed, and your baby's own unique fingerprints and footprints are in place. The lungs and brain keep developing, and taste buds are maturing.

Your baby moves, stretches and sleeps in cycles, and may respond to your touch or to sounds around you.

🌷 And how about you, Mum?

Your bump is probably more noticeable now, though if you can barely see it, that's fine too, as every pregnancy is different. You may feel the baby move often, and you might feel really hungry, but you don't need any extra calories until the third trimester, which starts around week 28.

Aches and pains around the ribs, back or tummy are common, partly because pregnancy hormones loosen your ligaments and muscles and your growing baby presses on different parts of your body. Some mums also notice a creeping tiredness or occasional shortness of breath as the womb grows.

🍽️ Food for thought: smart carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy, and wholegrain and high-fibre choices tend to release energy more steadily than refined ones. They also bring fibre, B vitamins and minerals.

Everyday foods to enjoy include:

• Brown rice and wholemeal bread
• Oats
• Sweet potato (keledek) and other root vegetables
• Beans, lentils and chickpeas
• Fruit, enjoyed as part of a balanced meal

If you'd like personal advice on food, your doctor, midwife or dietitian can help you find what suits you. Alcohol reaches your baby, so it's best avoided in pregnancy, and your doctor or midwife can support you if you'd like help.

✨ Little things that may feel nice

• Many mums enjoy a bump photo each month as a keepsake
• A pregnancy pillow can make sleeping on your side more comfortable
• Gentle walking can help with energy and mood, if you feel up to it
• Sitting up a little straighter can ease breathlessness

🩺 Coming up

Many clinics offer a routine blood sugar test, often called a glucose test, between about 24 and 28 weeks, particularly for mums who have a higher chance of gestational diabetes. Your doctor or midwife will explain how it works at your clinic, including any preparation. It's simply a way to look after you and your baby.

This is also a good time to start thinking about a birth plan: what you'd ideally like to happen during the birth and afterwards. You can talk it through with your partner, doctor or midwife. If you haven't yet, ask your doctor about the flu vaccine, which is generally recommended in pregnancy.

👨‍👩‍👧 Partner's corner

A bump photo together, a chat about names, or helping to plan the nursery can all be lovely ways to feel involved. And a calm, helpful presence is always appreciated.

❓ Quick questions

What is the routine blood sugar test for?
It's a routine check that helps your care team see how your body handles sugar in pregnancy. Many mums have it, and it's one of the ways your clinic looks after you.

Is it normal to feel breathless?
Mild breathlessness is common as the womb grows and presses upwards. If it comes on suddenly or feels severe, please speak to your doctor or midwife.

💛 A little moment for the two of you

Six months. A fully formed face, tiny fingerprints, and a bump that's hard to hide. You've come so far.

More baby, more bump, more love. 🦕

Sources & further reading

NHS — 24 weeks pregnant
NHS Week 24 pregnancy guide

Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) — Antenatal care
KKM maternal health and antenatal care

FirstDino shares general pregnancy information for education and comfort. It is not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Please speak with your doctor or midwife about your own health and care.