Your baby is now the size of a cauliflower in weight, measuring a little over nine and a half (9.5) inches from crown to rump (or fourteen and a half [14.5] to fifteen [15] inches from head to heel) and weighing about two (2) pounds. You are in your seventh month of pregnancy.
Your Baby
Week 27 of Pregnancy
During week 27 of pregnancy, your baby’s lungs are still immature developing. But, if born now, your baby has a 90% chance of survival with medical assistance to regulate breathing and other immature bodily functions. Layers of fat continue to deposit under the skin. The brain continues to mature and develop. You should notice that your baby wakes and sleeps at regular intervals, with more activity at night and less activity during your waking hours. While awake, your baby should move about ten times each hour. If you notice that your baby is not moving or moving less than usual, try drinking some juice or laying down. If your baby continues not to move, contact your health care provider immediately for an assessment of a more serious problem.
Your baby is opening and closing his or her eyes now that the eyelids are unfused. As the brain continues to develop, the hands and fingers gain coordination. Your baby wiggles his or her fingers, grabs the umbilical cord, and may even suck his or her thumb. Thumb sucking not only soothes your baby but also strengthens the cheek and jaw muscles that are necessary for breastfeeding. The lungs and vocal cords are developed enough now that your baby could cry. Hiccups are becoming more common, which you may notice as tiny rhythmic movements in your abdomen. Most excitingly, your baby now recognizes the sound of your voice, which will be especially important after he or she is born.
Your Body
As the second trimester ends during week 27 of pregnancy, you may notice yourself starting to suffer from more complaints. You may have backaches and leg cramps as your growing uterus changes your center of balance and puts pressure on different nerves. You may find yourself needing to use the bathroom more frequently as your uterus and baby put pressure on your bladder. Make sure to empty your bladder completely and to drink plenty of fluids to avoid a urinary tract infection.
You will have gained between sixteen and twenty-two pounds by now and should continue to gain between one and two pounds from now until you give birth. Your hands and feet may be slightly swollen due to the extra blood in your body and the increased pressure of your uterus on your body, although extreme swelling could be a sign of pre-eclampsia, so contact your health care provider if you have sudden or unusual swelling, especially in your face. Other symptoms during week 27 of pregnancy include stretch marks, flatulence, bloating, constipation, heartburn, indigestion, dizziness or faintness, restless legs, symphysis pubis dysfunction, bleeding gums, nasal congestion, and changes to the hair, skin, and nails.
During Week 27 of Pregnancy
Learn about your baby during week 26 of pregnancy or week 28 of pregnancy.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not meant to replace the professional medical advice of your health care provider.
References
27 weeks pregnant: http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/27-weeks-pregnant_70839
Curtis, Glade B. & Judith Schuler. 2011. Your pregnancy week by week. 7th edn. Philadelphia: Running Press.
Stone, Joanne & Keith Eddleman, eds. 2003. The pregnancy bible: Your complete guide to pregnancy and early parenthood. Willowdale, Ontario: Firefly Books.
Your pregnancy: 27 weeks: http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-27-weeks_1116.bc
Your pregnancy week by week: Weeks 26-30: http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/your-pregnancy-week-by-week-weeks-26-30
Image Credits
Baby Born During Week 27 of Pregnancy: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Premature_infant_with_ventilator.jpg
Baby Bump at 27 Weeks: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sheila_27_weeks.jpg
Cauliflower: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Courgette_jaune.jpg
