At 24 weeks pregnant your baby will be about 21 cm long and weigh 500g. Now your baby can move around with great mobility. He or she can kick, suck a thumb, open and close their mouth and will respond to movement or loud noises. The heart rate has dropped to 140-150 beats per minute and can be monitored more effectively.
At this stage a baby can survive if born but there is a possibility of damage to the internal organs and a risk that the baby could be physically or mentally disabled. After 28 weeks these risks decrease.
You baby’s lungs are now formed but the little air sacs that allow our lungs to exchange air are not yet formed. If your baby was born this early he or she would need assistance breathing.
The digestive system is now formed and your baby is constantly swallowing and excreting amniotic fluid.
This is a very exciting milestone in your pregnancy and many mums-to-be feel by this stage that they are starting to build a real relationship with their unborn baby. To help you visualize what is going on in there, here is a 24 weeks (6 months) pregnant ultrasound video clip: