Pregnancy Week 24: Viability Week

Corn size — about 12.5 inches, 1.3 lbs. This is the viability line: with NICU care, a baby born now has a real chance of survival. The lungs are producing surfactant, the substance that keeps the tiny air sacs from collapsing. Skin is still thin and translucent.

The belly is stretching fast, and itchy skin and stretch marks come with it. Weight gain settles into about a pound a week from here. She will feel bigger, more frequent kicks, plus rhythmic taps that are the baby hiccupping. Foot swelling builds by evening.

• 01Glucose Screen Duty: go with her to the 1-hour glucose screening (booked between Weeks 24-28). She drinks a sugary solution, waits, and gets blood drawn — a 1-3 hour sit in all. Bring a real snack for the ride home; the sugar crash is rough
• 02Childbirth class: you registered at week 18 — if not, book now, because the good weekend slots fill 6-8 weeks out. Take it around Weeks 30-34 so it is fresh for delivery

Rub her feet. Edema is painful and getting worse. This is a small thing that means everything.