27 Weeks Pregnant
How is my baby developing?
You’re 27 weeks pregnant, and your baby is finally opening his eyes, which have been closed since you were 9 weeks pregnant.
The retina is developing, allowing your baby’s eyes to receive light and transmit the information to the brain to be transformed into images.
Your baby’s digestive and circulatory systems continue to mature, and the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs start to secrete surfactant which keeps the lung tissue from sticking together.
With your baby growing, there’s less space to move around and you may be feeling stronger movements, which may be painful. This week, your baby weighs just under 1 kg and measures around 36 cm.
These are average values, with girls usually weighing less than boys. The umbilical cord continues to grow and is now approximately the same length as your baby.
How is my body changing?
You’re 27 weeks pregnant, and your uterus continues to move upwards and now sits about 7 cm above your belly button.
Space is getting tight for your baby, so you definitely know when he’s awake or asleep. You’re in the final week of the second trimester and some of the previous symptoms make a comeback!
These include fatigue and frequent trips to the toilet. To these, you can add stress incontinence and more frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions.
These are not very painful or regular, so try not to worry. However, now it’s time to get familiar with the signs of labor.
Call your doctor if you start to have regular painful contractions, or if you notice vaginal discharge including bleeding accompanied by cramping, or feel pelvic pressure (as if you baby is pushing down). The average weight gain so far is about 18 pounds.
Your lifestyle has a major impact on your baby’s development
If you’re working, it’s important to know your rights after pregnancy. You may be eligible to maternity leave, but in most cases that depends how long have you been working with your company.
Additionally, your employer may have its own maternity leave scheme. In any case, it’s important that you find out as soon as possible and know what documents you need to inform your employer.