How Many Months Pregnant Are You At 27 weeks?
The 27th week marks the end of the sixth month and the second trimester of your pregnancy. You are just 13 weeks away from your due date. Momjunction explains everything from baby development to changes in your body and the necessary tips to follow this week.
How Big Is Your Baby At 27 Weeks?
This week, your baby is as big as the head of cauliflower (1). The baby measures 14.5in (36.5cm) in length and 1.93 to 2.3lb (875 – 1055g) in weight (2).
Baby Development At 27 weeks
Here is how the baby inside your womb is developing this week: Fetal position and movement: In this week, the baby still has enough space to move inside the womb and attain any position. The movements are vigorous and the kicks you feel this week are stronger than before. You may feel the baby taking hiccups. By this week, the baby develops a regular sleep and wake-up pattern during the day.
What symptoms of pregnancy do you experience in the 27th week?
As the body changes, you experience the following symptoms this week:
Weight gain per week, as per the BMI (7):
A pregnant women of normal weight with less than 30 minutes of exercise a week should strive for a calorie intake of 2,200 by eating a diet of grains, dairy, protein, fruits/ vegetables, and healthy fats and oils. Limiting processed foods, sugars, and extra fats can help you attain your goals. Leg cramps are a discomfort usually experienced during the night time due to over-exertion, dehydration, low content of minerals potassium, calcium, or magnesium.
Backaches due to the pressure exerted by the extra weight of the baby on the hips and the lower back.
The digestion process slows down as the progesterone hormone relaxes the digestive tract, leading to constipation.
An extra pressure exerted on the nerves in the pelvic and rectal areas might cause hemorrhoids in a few women.
Pressure on the nerves of hands and wrists, due to an increased blood volume leading to build up of fluid in the tissues, causes a tingling effect or numbness in fingers, hands, and wrists called the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It usually goes away a few weeks after the delivery.
The extra weight of the baby, body aches, cramps, and frequent urination leads to insomnia.
The bladder is compressed by the growing uterus, increasing the frequency of urination.
Due to the pressure on the bladder, you may unexpectedly pee while you sneeze, a phenomenon nicknamed ‘snissing’.
Excess retention of water in the body causes swelling of the legs, hands, and face, also known as edema. Drinking a lot of water helps expel the excess water.
The loosening of the gums, due to hormonal fluctuations, make it more sensitive causing bleeding of the gums.
Rising hormones in pregnancy causes blood vessels to relax and widen, causing increased blood flow to your baby but slows the return of blood into the veins to you. This results in reduced blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is the uncontrollable urge to move the legs to relieve the uncomfortable tingling effects. Low hemoglobin ((specifically rise in estrogen levels), a history of RLS before conception, or RLS during the previous pregnancy could be a reason for this syndrome (8).
The nasal membranes open up due to hormonal changes, resulting in more mucus secretion that further leads to a stuffy nose or nasal congestion.
Round ligament pain due to the stretching of muscles and ligaments in the lower abdomen.
Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, unpredictable, uncomfortable and less painful contractions that help prepare the body for labor. These are normal and go away when you try to switch your positions, relax (warm bath/ massage/ read a book/ listen to music/ nap) or drink water to rehydrate.
[ Read: 29th Week Pregnant ]
Bodily Changes You Experience In The 27th Week
Along with the symptoms mentioned above, you will experience certain physiological and psychological changes as well.
Physical changes:
An enlarged belly with the navel popping out Enlarged breasts Darker areola and nipples Stretch marks Linea nigra Shinier, fuller, and thicker hair Fast growing and brittle nails
Emotional changes:
Mood swings Anxiety and fear
In the case of severe or unusual symptoms, consult your doctor without delay.
When To Call The Doctor
Call your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms (9):
Dizziness Headache Fever Belly or pelvic pain Uncontrolled nosebleeds Persistent leg cramps Urination with burning sensation or pain
Certain symptoms like vaginal bleeding, leaking of fluid, strong contractions every five minutes, and a noticeable change in fetal movements, could indicate preterm labor.
Your OB/GYN Visit
The OB/GYN visit this week will include:
Weight and blood pressure check-up Measuring the fundal height Urine test
Ultrasound scanning in case of twin pregnancy or high-risk pregnancies to monitor the fetal growth.
Glucose tolerance test: This is a screening test to check the blood sugar level. It involves two approaches, one step or two step (10).
One step (OGTT): Fasting blood sugar levels are tested, following which you have to drink 75 gm of glucose. The blood is drawn again for testing, at intervals of 1 hour and 2 hours to measure the glucose levels.
Two-step: A blood sample is drawn two hours after you drink 75gm of glucose. This test is called the glucose challenge test. In case of an abnormal test result, a glucose tolerance test is done. Blood is drawn during fasting, and later at intervals of one, two, and three hours to check the glucose levels. Any abnormality in the test result indicates gestational diabetes.
Take the prescribed medications, if any, and follow the lifestyle and dietary changes that the doctor recommends to keep gestational diabetes and other conditions at bay.
Tips For Mom-to-be
Drink plenty of fluids to flush out toxins and prevent cramps.
Use cushions or pillows for sitting or sleeping comfortably.
Eat home cooked food. Include fish (12oz a week) in the diet as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Avoid shark, king mackerel and tilefish.
Avoid oily and deep-fried foods as they may trigger heartburn.
Keep stress and fears at bay.
Whole grain bread, fruits and vegetables, bran, and breakfast cereals make a healthy diet. Take more fiber-rich food to relieve constipation.
Get proper rest.
Avoid smoking, alcohol consumption, and excess caffeine intake.
Stay calm and relaxed.
Do not forget to take vitamin, iron, calcium, and folic acid supplements.
Go for regular dental check-ups.
Go for walking and do Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Avoid lifting heavy objects.
Avoid OTC medicines and ask the doctor before taking them if needed.
Wear breathable and loose clothes, with comfortable footwear.
Stay away from toxic chemicals.
Avoid cat litter cleaning to prevent toxoplasmosis.
Getting your partner to help, can make this phase easy to deal with.
Tips For Dad-to-be
Here’s what your partner can do:
Accompany you to the prenatal visits. Create a happy environment at home, maybe even use soothing light and sound effects. Help you with the daily household chores. Start shopping for maternal wears. Go for an outing. Give you a neck and foot massage. Help you exercise. Help find names for your baby.
