Week 24 of Pregnancy: An Ear of Corn, Viability, and My Gestational Diabetes Test
Key takeaways
- By week 24, the baby is considered 'viable' — meaning a real chance of survival with medical support if born now.
- This is also the typical window (24-28 weeks) for the gestational diabetes screening test, the oral glucose tolerance test.
- The test involves a fasting blood draw, a glucose drink, a 2-hour wait, and a second blood draw.
- A positive result usually means home blood sugar monitoring, dietary changes, and closer follow-up — not a failure on your part.
- This article covers the testing and diagnosis moment specifically; the dietary details that followed are covered in a separate guide.
Week 23 gave us a small, sweet-triggered pattern to notice. Week 24 brought something bigger — the viability milestone, and the week I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
What’s actually happening in your body
The baby is now around 30cm long, roughly the size of an ear of corn, and has reached a genuinely significant medical milestone: viability. This means that if born now, the baby would have a real chance of survival outside the womb with the right medical support — neonatal units can help premature babies breathe, feed, stay warm, and fight infection, according to NHS guidance on week 24 of pregnancy. This is also the typical window — weeks 24 to 28 — for the gestational diabetes screening test, the oral glucose tolerance test, which involves fasting overnight, a blood draw, drinking a glucose solution, waiting two hours, and a second blood draw to see how your body processes it.
What I actually felt
Emotionally, I was a little more sensitive around this time, in a way I couldn’t always explain. My husband picked up on it on his own and made a point of being around as much as he could, without me needing to ask.
The gestational diabetes test itself happened during week 24, and the result came back positive. My doctor explained I needed to avoid a lot of sugar, and follow-up tests were scheduled. I was also asked to test my own blood sugar before and after every meal, three times a day, at home, and send the readings to the doctors so they could monitor how things were progressing. I hadn’t been eating a lot of sweet food to begin with, but from that point on I was even more careful than before.
If you’re anywhere near this window and haven’t had your test yet, know that a positive result doesn’t mean you did anything wrong — it’s simply something your body needs a bit of extra support managing for the rest of the pregnancy. For the dietary changes that followed for me, our guide to foods and drinks to limit or avoid during pregnancy covers that in full detail — this article is just about the test and the moment of finding out.
Nutrition focus this week
If you haven’t had your screening test yet, there’s nothing to change beforehand — just show up fasted as instructed. If you have been diagnosed, your doctor will give you specific guidance on sugar and carbohydrate intake, which is a separate conversation from general pregnancy nutrition.
What to discuss with your doctor or midwife
Confirm when your gestational diabetes screening is scheduled if it hasn’t happened yet. If you do receive a positive result, ask clearly what home monitoring will involve, how often you’ll need to test, and what the follow-up schedule looks like — having a concrete routine, rather than vague concern, made this much easier to manage for me.
Frequently asked questions
What does viability at week 24 actually mean?
It means that if a baby is born at this stage, there is a genuine chance of survival with intensive medical support, though outcomes still improve significantly with every additional week of pregnancy.
What does the gestational diabetes test actually involve?
A fasting blood draw, then drinking a glucose solution, waiting around two hours, and a second blood draw to see how your body has processed the glucose. It typically takes about two hours in total.
Does a gestational diabetes diagnosis mean I did something wrong?
No. It’s a common pregnancy-specific condition related to how your body processes glucose during pregnancy, not a result of anything you did or didn’t do.
What happens after a positive result?
Usually a home blood sugar monitoring kit, dietary guidance, and closer monitoring for the rest of the pregnancy. If diet and lifestyle changes aren’t enough on their own, medication may be added later.
Why was I asked to test my blood sugar three times a day?
Testing before and after meals gives your doctor a clear picture of how your body is responding to different foods and to treatment, so they can adjust guidance if needed.
References
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