{"id":257320,"date":"2022-02-18T12:53:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T17:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/?post_type=article&p=257320"},"modified":"2025-07-01T16:36:38","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T20:36:38","slug":"24-weeks-pregnant-with-multiples","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/257320\/24-weeks-pregnant-with-multiples\/","title":{"rendered":"24 weeks pregnant with multiples"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Your babies have reached a significant milestone this week: viability! Viability means if born today, they would have a chance of surviving with the right circumstances and intensive care. Knowing this can bring some peace of mind, even though ideally, you\u2019ll be pregnant for many more weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re more than halfway to your due date now! What can you expect this week? Let\u2019s take a peek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s new with your babies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your little ones\u2019 lungs are doing great work these days as they practice taking those sweet newborn breaths. Their lungs have begun making a liquid substance called surfactant, which will help them expand once your babies are out of your body and breathing open air. This is the main reason why your babies could survive outside your body at 24 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your babies are also working on developing their taste buds. Did you know what you eat while you\u2019re pregnant could impact your babies\u2019 food preferences later in life? All the more reason to pack your diet with a variety of tasty and nutritious foods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your babies are around 1.3 pounds each now \u2014 about the size of an eggplant! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are you doing? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Carrying multiples can be more taxing than carrying a singleton, as you\u2019ve likely come to realize. If you\u2019ve been pregnant with just one baby in the past, you\u2019re probably noticing you\u2019re growing more (and faster) than when you were carrying a single baby. This is perfectly normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even still, the physical demands of growing multiple babies can be trying. Don\u2019t hesitate to listen to your body’s signals and relax if you\u2019re feeling fatigued.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many women start getting Braxton Hicks, or \u201cfalse labor\u201d contractions, around this point of their pregnancy. Staying hydrated can help combat this discomfort; you should aim to drink around a gallon of water per day. Rest, changing positions, and emptying your bladder can also help calm them down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will testing take place this week?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can expect your office visits to pick up in frequency to ensure your babies are progressing on target and without complications. Your monthly appointments will shift to biweekly or even weekly, depending on how closely your babies need to be monitored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the next month, you will have your glucose challenge test (GCT) to screen for gestational diabetes<\/a>. This routine test is performed by having you drink a sugary drink, then having your blood drawn one hour later to see how your body processes glucose. This is typically performed between 24 and 28 weeks but may be done sooner if your healthcare provider feels you are at an increased risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s plan ahead!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Remember your old friend, the dentist? With all your prenatal visits, it may have slipped your mind to schedule a cleaning. Annual dental exams and routine cleanings are safe and recommended throughout pregnancy. Set up an appointment if you\u2019re due because healthy teeth contribute to a healthy pregnancy and can actually help reduce the risk of complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to have your dentist screen you for pregnancy gingivitis. When you\u2019re expecting, your progesterone levels are elevated, making your teeth more sensitive to the bacteria found in plaque. Keeping up with regular cleanings can help prevent common dental issues that go hand-in-hand with pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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