Launch pricing - Get £50 off! Just £49.99 your first year. Use code nuhahyearlyLaunch pricing - Get £50 off!
£49.99 your first year, code nuhahyearly
Week by Week
Week 12
First trimester wraps up
Week 20
Anomaly scan
Week 28
Third trimester begins
Week 36
Full term approaches
All 42 weeks
Tools
Due Date Calculator
Baby Name Generator
Kick Counter
Contraction Timer
Ovulation Calculator
Weight Gain Calculator
Chinese Gender Predictor
Baby Size Comparison
Maternity Leave Calculator
Paternity Leave Checker
Baby Cost Calculator
Pregnancy Symptom Checker
Birth Plan Builder
Resources
Pregnancy guides
Hospital bag essentials
Baby names
Hypnobirthing
Browse all
Blog
Braxton Hicks vs real contractions
UK maternity leave explained
Sleep in late pregnancy
All posts
AboutEarn with NuhahContact
Week by Week
Due Date CalculatorBaby Name GeneratorKick CounterContraction TimerOvulation CalculatorWeight Gain CalculatorChinese Gender PredictorBaby Size ComparisonMaternity Leave CalculatorPaternity Leave CheckerBaby Cost CalculatorPregnancy Symptom CheckerBirth Plan Builder
ResourcesBlogPricing
AboutEarn with NuhahContact
Sign In
Pregnancy Guide·Second Trimester

Week 24: Viability Milestone

Corn on the cob (~21cm crown-rump)·Last reviewed: 25 April 2026
Quick answer

Week 24 is a significant milestone - your baby would have a chance of survival with intensive care if born now. According to Nuhah's pregnancy guide, the lungs are developing air sacs and the inner ear is fully developed, giving your baby a sense of balance.

Baby development at week 24

This is a major milestone: the baby has a chance of survival if born now with intensive neonatal care. Lungs are developing air sacs (alveoli). The inner ear is fully developed, giving the baby a sense of balance - they know which way is up. The baby can hear your voice clearly and may respond to loud sounds with a startle reflex. Brain activity is increasing significantly.

Your body this week

Your uterus is now above your navel. You may experience a glucose tolerance test around this time to screen for gestational diabetes (usually between weeks 24-28). Rib pain can begin as your uterus pushes upwards. Sleeping may become more difficult - lying on your side is recommended from now on. Itchy skin on your stretching abdomen is common.

Things to do this week

1
Attend your glucose tolerance test if offered (usually between weeks 24-28)
2
Start sleeping on your side if you haven't already - this is recommended from 28 weeks
3
Consider starting a birth plan or birth preferences document - try Nuhah's birth plan builder
4
This is a good time to book a hospital or birth centre tour

Frequently asked questions

Why is 24 weeks a milestone in pregnancy?

At 24 weeks, a baby born prematurely has a meaningful chance of survival with neonatal intensive care. Survival rates improve significantly with each additional week. This is a medically recognised milestone, though the vast majority of pregnancies continue well beyond this point.

Why should I sleep on my side?

From 28 weeks onwards, sleeping on your side (either side) is recommended. Sleeping on your back can put pressure on major blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the baby. A pillow between your knees can make side-sleeping more comfortable.

What is the glucose tolerance test?

A blood test offered between weeks 24-28 that screens for gestational diabetes. You fast overnight, drink a glucose solution, and have blood taken exactly 2 hours after. Gestational diabetes is manageable and usually resolves after birth.

Related reading

Wellbeing
Pregnancy Mental Health: It's OK to Not Be OK
Wellbeing
Pregnancy Exercise: What's Safe and What to Avoid
Preparation
How to Choose a Baby Name (Without Losing Your Mind)

Track week 24 and beyond

Milestones, partner sharing, notes, photos, and a curated essentials guide - all free. No app to install.

Get Started - Free
← Week 23Week 25
← All weeks

© 2026 Nuhah. All rights reserved.