At 27 weeks pregnant, you are in the final week of the second trimester!
Going into the third trimester is exciting since it means you’re on the last leg of this journey, and your baby is getting stronger and more prepared for life in the breathing world. On the other hand, it does mean some of the more challenging parts of pregnancy may become a bit more intense, including the struggles of navigating the world with a baby bump.
Even if you do need help tying your shoes for the next few months, there’s a lot to celebrate this week, including your baby’s fully developed heart and fluttering eyelids.
Your Baby’s Development At 27 Weeks
If you’re in a high-risk pregnancy, there’s some excellent news this week: your baby has developed enough that if you go into labor early, he has pretty great chances. Still, you’ll want to keep the baby in as long as possible because every additional week strengthens those lungs and makes them more ready to take on the world!
His heart has (essentially) fully developed and is working to pump blood. The foramen ovale flap, which separates the right and left chambers of the heart, remains open and will close and seal with your baby’s first breath. Speaking of breaths, the lungs, too, are essentially developed, but the air sacs will continue to grow and surfactant will continue to develop for the rest of your pregnancy.
Baby is moving ever more, and you can pay attention to the rhythmic bouncing sensation of hiccups!
Mother’s Symptoms At 27 Weeks
Pregnancy changes so much in your body, some of it permanently. It’s no wonder there are so many symptoms and side effects! The challenge is in determining when a symptom is just an annoyance and when it requires medical attention, and what treatments are safe during pregnancy.
Preeclampsia Symptoms
Preeclampsia is a serious condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy. Some of the symptoms, like vision changes, may be alarming, while others, like swelling, may leave a sufferer confused about whether this is just normal pregnancy bloat.
A little bloating or swelling in pregnancy is normal. If your feet and ankles are a bit swollen after a day of standing at work, you can just put your feet up and try to relax. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes, and if possible, stay off your feet a little more.
However, sudden swelling, as well as swelling that affects the face or chest, is a warning sign for preeclampsia. It’s also a sign that swelling is more prominent on one side of the body than the other.
Headaches are common in pregnancy, and it’s easy to write them off as a sign of stress and fatigue. However, they can also be caused by higher blood volume and hormonal changes. Watch for severe headaches. They can be a sign of preeclampsia, especially if they don’t go away.
Pre-Term Labor Symptoms
It’s not time for you to go into labor! Sometimes, though, labor starts early, for various reasons, or even for no discernable reason. The good news is that your doctor can stop it and help you keep your baby on the inside until it’s safe to be born, so seek medical care immediately if you think you’re in labor!
Contractions may be a sign you’re going into labor. However, Braxton Hicks contractions, sometimes called practice contractions, can be confusing. They can feel uncomfortable, but take a deep breath and compare. Labor contractions become more frequent and more intense over time. Braxton Hicks contractions don’t. Real labor will continue even if you change position, rest, or take a walk. Braxton Hicks can stop under those circumstances.
Though pain is relative and people experience it differently, Braxton Hicks contractions are usually not described as painful, though labor contractions can be.
The NIH describes ‘frequent’ contractions as six in an hour, but you can call your doctor at a lower threshold than that just to check their advice if you need it.
Intense lower back pain, the sensation of needing to push or to pass waste, or pressure in the pelvic area can also be signs of labor. You could also have a pain or squeezing sensation that feels like menstrual cramping.
If your amniotic sac ruptures, you may see a gush or a trickle of fluid. If this happens, you should seek medical care immediately.
Severe nausea and vomiting can also be signs of labor, as can severe and persistent diarrhea.
Pains & Cramping
Pregnancy can come with a lot of types of pain.
By now, you may have already experienced round ligament pain. This is an intense stabbing or pulling pain in the lower abdomen, and it can feel scary. However, it’s normal. This happens as your round ligaments stretch to accommodate your growing uterus. It should ease if you lie down or shift your position so that the pressure is off those ligaments.
A new pain that may surface around this time is pelvic girdle pain. This can be around the groin and hips — the ring of bones that circles the lower body — and can have a variety of causes, including hormones, extra weight, and an altered center of gravity. This, too, is normal and no cause for extra worry. If it is severe, your doctor can offer stretches and exercises that may help, or you may be advised to take over-the-counter pain meds to manage it.
Leg cramps or restless leg syndrome (RLS) symptoms are also common in pregnancy. Getting enough magnesium and iron may help, and your doctor may recommend a supplement. Severe symptoms are linked to longer labors and a higher need for c-sections, so if it’s bothering you, make sure to check with your doctor. Typical RLS meds haven’t been proven safe for pregnancy, so the first suggestions from your doctor are more likely to be exercise, massage, and warm baths, but some pharmacological options may be available if you can’t get any relief.
Some rib pain is common during this period, as your rib cage may expand to make room for your organs. Be sure to differentiate between rib pain and chest pain — the latter requires medical attention.
Digestive Difficulty
By this point in pregnancy, you’re familiar with the long battles with your digestive system.
Hopefully, you left nausea and vomiting behind months ago, but you may have replaced it with heartburn and indigestion. Antacids like Tums and Rolaids are typically considered to be safe during pregnancy, but some antacids are not safe, so check the ingredients!
Avoiding trigger foods, eating smaller, more frequent meals, and putting a few hours between the last meal of the night and lying down can also help.
If you’re constipated, a common problem during pregnancy, you can try upping your water and fiber intake. Stool softeners are usually considered safe for quicker relief, but laxatives should be avoided unless your doctor says otherwise. Some women will have hemorrhoids, which may be worsened by constipation. Your doctor may advise you to use witch hazel or OTC meds for relief.
Cravings, of course, are a definitive struggle of pregnancy. If you can do so safely, give your body what it’s asking for! Note, though, that what your body is begging for might not be the food you’re craving — check out our guide to common cravings and what they may mean. Remember to contact your doctor if you have nonfood cravings!
Breathing & Fatigue
You may find you’re out of breath more quickly than usual during exertion. This may be more frequent as your pregnancy progresses. Shortness of breath may even lead to a bit of lightheadedness or dizziness.
If you experience this, sit down and rest a bit. If it happens more frequently, make sure to mention it to your doctor. However, if it’s severe or if you have any fainting, loss of consciousness, or chest pain, contact your doctor immediately.
Skin & Breasts
You may already wear a more supportive bra, but have you noticed other changes? Darkening and enlarging of nipples and areolae is typical by this point in pregnancy. Some women will also leak colostrum. This is not concerning but can cause your skin to stick to your clothing and result in painful pulling. Cracked, sore, or bleeding nipples are also standard during mid and late pregnancy. Check out our guide to nursing pads that might help prevent some of your pain (and clothing stains). If you do experience any bleeding or cracked nipples, reach out to your doctor. They may prefer to prescribe a prescription cream to prevent infection.
Stretch marks can be expected on your abdomen and may also appear in other areas of your body. These may cause an itching or pulling sensation. A gentle lotion, like cocoa butter, can reduce discomfort and appearance, including long-term scarring.
Some women have spider veins or visible veins through their skin. Although the appearance may be distressing, it’s usually nothing to worry about unless there’s any pain.
You may also see darkened or discolored patches of skin. These can be prevented to a degree by using sunblock to protect your skin, but they usually go away on their own after you deliver your baby.
Insomnia & Other Sleep Disruptions
With the new shape of your body, along with RLS symptoms, heartburn, and the stress and anxiety that are common with such a big life change as preparing to bring a baby into the world, you may find that sleep isn’t easy, even if you’re exhausted.
Even if you’ve addressed other symptoms and are using a pregnancy pillow to support your body, you may still find that you’re unable to get adequate rest. If you’ve also tried improving your sleep hygiene (turn off screens before bed, keep your bedroom cool and dark, and maintain a bedtime routine) and sleep disruptions still interfere with daytime life, talk to your doctor.
Other/Miscellaneous Symptoms
You’ve probably noticed for a while now that you’re running to the bathroom more frequently than usual. The pressure on your bladder gets more intense as your uterus takes up more space. If you notice that you’re leaking urine, kegel exercises can help strengthen the pelvic floor and may also make labor a bit easier.
When To Contact Your Doctor
Symptoms Of Preeclampsia
Some people are at a higher risk for preeclampsia, so if you have had high blood pressure readings before, or are diabetic, you should be on higher alert. Some autoimmune disorders may also increase the risk. However, anyone may have preeclampsia, and if you have any of the symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.
These include sudden swelling or excessive weight gain; swelling that affects the face or chest; swelling that is more prominent on one side of the body than the other; severe headaches; and vision changes.
Signs of Pre-term Labor
Any signs of pre-term labor should be communicated to your doctor immediately. These include contractions that increase in frequency and intensity, rupture of the amniotic sac, and pelvic pressure. Some women will feel pains similar to menstrual cramps or have severe lower back pain. Passing all or part of the mucous plug can be a sign your cervix is thinning or dilating but may not mean labor is imminent, but it should still be communicated to your doctor if it happens this early.
Other Reasons To Call Your Doctor
Passing any blood, or seeing changes in vaginal discharge, is a good reason to check in with your doctor. The same applies to signs of infection, such as swelling or redness.
Call for any pain that doesn’t go away with meds or is particularly severe.
Call for any signs of dehydration, such as being unable to pass urine over an extended period. Extreme nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea also warrant a call, though your doctor’s response may range from merely recommending that you stay hydrated to calling in prescription meds to asking you to meet him at the hospital.
In general, if something seems off or seems severe enough to worry you, make the call.
What Should Mom Be Doing At 27 Weeks?
Some airlines require a medical form from your doctor if you’re flying after 28 weeks (some have a similar requirement but not until 36 weeks), so if you’re planning any trips before your baby comes, make sure to check!
If you haven’t gotten a whooping cough vaccine yet, it’s typically offered until the 32-week mark and can pass down protections to your baby, so ask about it at your next appointment.
If the hospital or birthing center you plan to use requires pre-registration, check-in and find out when that needs to be done.
What To Look Forward To
Your doctor may order a growth scan at some point in the next 4 weeks, especially if your pregnancy is high-risk. If this is done, the doctor can estimate your baby’s current weight and ensure the little one is growing as expected. If it applies to you, it’s one more chance to peek at your baby before birth!
You’re also about to enter the third trimester, when prenatal appointments are more frequent, and it’s almost time to pack your hospital bag!