At twenty four weeks, your baby is experiencing extremely rapid brain growth.  Your baby's brain will continue to grow at a fast pace until he or she is five years old.  The surface of the brain is smooth, although the shape now resembles and adult brain.

Your baby's air sacs are growing well in the lungs.  These will continue to form until he or she is eight years old.  Blood vessels that will absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide after she is born are multiplying.  The lungs are beginning to develop surfactant, which will keep your child's air sacs from collapsing when he or she is exhaling.  The surfactant also keeps the air sacs from sticking together.

You may be receiving a glucose screening at your next OB/GYN appointment.  Two to three percent of women will form gestational diabetes during their pregnancy.  The test involves you drinking a 50 gram oral glucose drink, followed by a blood test to check your sugar level an hour later.  This drink may be like an orange soda, and tastes best if refrigerated.  If you have an abnormal test, you will probably be sent for a three hour glucose tolerance test.  If this is abnormal as well, you will probably be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  Your doctor will probably put you on a special diet, and you may be required to take insulin as well.  The majority of mothers who acquire gestational diabetes will usually be better once the baby is born.

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