24 weeks pregnant: Pay attention to screening for gestational diabetes

If during your pregnancy you have not heard anything about gestational diabetes, week 24 is an appropriate time for pregnant women to pay attention to this issue. Besides, pregnancy week 24 is when the baby grows relatively large, and the baby is likely to survive if born this week.

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• 1. Baby's development at 24 weeks pregnant
• 2. What problems should mothers pay attention to when they are 24 weeks pregnant?

1. Baby's development at 24 weeks pregnant

Shape

At the 24th week of pregnancy, your baby is about 20 cm long if you measure the length of the rump. If you calculate all, the baby is about 28-30cm, weighs about 0.5-0.6 kg. Baby also grows more hair. If you can see it, you can identify the color and shape of your hair. If the baby is born prematurely at this week, the chance of survival is 50-50. However, the baby will face many serious complications.

24 weeks old baby is so cute

Baby's movement

Thai machine has now almost become very obvious. Babies at the end of 6 months have alternating periods of rest and activity. The way as well as the "calendar" of your baby's movement has gradually become more familiar to you. Some mothers find that the baby is very active in the middle of the night – enough to wake the mother even in her deep sleep. If you glance at the baby in the womb, you can see the baby moving constantly. The baby is aware of his body, knows how to do somersaults up and down, left to right in the womb. The reason is because the inner ear - the part responsible for spatial balance - is quite complete.

2. What problems should mothers pay attention to when they are 24 weeks pregnant?

2.1 Gestational diabetes

During pregnancy, some women have problems with high blood sugar. This condition is called gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually begins between 24 and 28 weeks. Having diabetes during pregnancy increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes

Causes of gestational diabetes

During pregnancy, the placenta is stimulated to produce hormones such as progesterone, HPL, prolactin... to help the fetus develop. It is the increased production of these hormones that causes the mother's body to increase insulin resistance. Meanwhile, insulin is an essential hormone that helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Weeks 24-28 is the time when the hormones that cause insulin resistance of the placenta are secreted the most.

Screening for gestational diabetes at 24 weeks of pregnancy

Screening for gestational diabetes is mandatory between 24 and 28 weeks  of pregnancy, regardless of whether the mother has a medical history or not. Your doctor may order the test earlier if you have many risk factors

In general, screening for gestational diabetes can be done in one of three ways:

• Fasting blood sugar and postprandial blood sugar
• 2 stroke approach strategy
• 1 stroke diagnostic approach strategy

>> Gestational diabetes can cause complications for both mother and baby. The disease often has no obvious symptoms. Usually only discovered after doing a gestational diabetes test.

2.2 Carpal tunnel syndrome

Beginning at 24 weeks, carpal tunnel syndrome may develop. This is a syndrome caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist region. The syndrome is largely idiopathic. The median nerve is compressed by the transverse carpal ligament. So, when it is overcrowded, it will cause pain and weakness in the hand in some areas. (The median nerve is responsible for feeling the thumb, index and middle fingers, and some muscles of the hand.)

2.3 Vaccination against tetanus

Women of reproductive age who have not been immunized against tetanus need to be vaccinated to protect themselves and their babies. The total number of tetanus vaccinations is 5. After 5 times, whether to have a booster shot or not depends on how long ago the last shot was before you were pregnant.

tetanus vaccine

Injection schedule:

–  1st dose: Early injection when pregnant for the first time or women of reproductive age. Usually, the injection is given at 20 to 30 weeks.

–  2nd dose: At least 1 month after 1st dose and at least 1 month before giving birth

For women who are pregnant for the first time, two shots of tetanus during pregnancy are sufficient.

–  3rd dose: At least 6 months after 2nd dose or next pregnancy

The following pregnancies: only get 1 dose of tetanus vaccine if the previous pregnancy has had 2 doses of tetanus vaccine.

–  4th dose: At least 1 year after 3rd dose or next pregnancy

–  The 5th dose: At least 1 year after the 4th dose or the next pregnancy

- It is recommended to give the 6th dose again when the 5th dose is more than 10 years old

What are the possible side effects after the injection?

After being vaccinated against tetanus, there will often be side effects such as mild fever and pain at the injection site. However, these are just common side effects. You don't need to worry or take any more medications. The mother can take measures such as applying a warm towel, using a warm towel to wipe her body, adding green vegetables and vitamin-rich fruits to relieve the symptoms. If the fever lasts too long from 3 to 4 days, with severe symptoms such as high fever, fatigue, and lethargy, you should go to the hospital for timely examination.

2.4 Find a health counselor

Finding a health counselor who will work closely with the mother during the birth and upbringing of the baby is a great idea. Pregnant women always need someone ready to answer all of their questions at any time. If you do not have your own doctor, the experience of other mothers in the family can also be considered a valuable reference. Not only providing knowledge, counselors are also empathetic and help support the spirit of pregnant mothers.

You should find a close health advisor

Consider the following questions when choosing a mentor

• Expertise of the advisor?
• Do you like the way they give advice or visit?
• Do the answers they give you completely satisfy?
• Is it easy for you to call or schedule an appointment with a counselor?

2.5 Emotional balance during pregnancy week 24

There are many fears

Do your husbands or parents or friends around you often comment that these days, the pregnant woman's mood is too erratic? This may be because more and more hormones are being produced. Moreover, the closer your due date is, the more you will begin to experience new fears. At the end of the 6th month , which means you will be very worried about the birth process? Such as:

• The belly is too big, how to avoid the scrutiny from others?
• How to get to the hospital in time during labor?
• What if I lose control during labor?
• What if the check-up now found that something was wrong with the baby?

In fact, you face these fears for a short time. So does your husband, especially if you're both first-time parents.

Overcoming fear

The most important thing to do right now is to take the time to sit down and make a list of your fears. Contact your health advisor to find ways to balance your emotions. Don't hesitate if you're more interested in intimacy than before. You will feel more alive, sleep better, and have more energy. Always remember, pregnancy is a journey to enjoy, not suffer!

>> Baby has grown 1 more week old already. This week, the baby also has a relatively infant-like appearance with a tiny size. Baby is still growing faster day by day.

Up to this moment, you can almost clearly visualize the appearance of the little angel. Maintaining a healthy pregnancy is almost the only concern of pregnant women right now. Do not forget the schedule of antenatal check-ups and vaccinations to ensure the health of both mother and baby. Couples should also plan for the birth and childcare process for the upcoming busy period.

Doctor Tran Hoang Nhat Linh