27 Weeks Pregnant: Buh-Bye 2nd Trimester!
Baby’s Size at 27 Weeks Pregnant
At 27 weeks, your snug baby is now a little curved bundle about the size of a cabbage!
27 Weeks Pregnant is How Many Months?
27 weeks pregnant is 6 ¼ months pregnant.
27 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Update
Feeling extra warm these days? That may be partly from your hormones and partly from that little bun you’re baking inside your oven! Your 2-pound baby is over a foot long—top to toe—and has a body temp that’s actually warmer than yours.
Do you feel some bubbly, fluttery feelings in your belly? That may be hiccuping! It’s cute to think about, right? That’s how your baby practices using the diaphragm, to prepare to start breathing within seconds after birth. The movement has been going on for a while, but this may be the week you notice this sweet reminder of your baby’s presence.
27 Weeks Pregnant: What to Expect
Congrats…you’re rocking it! You’ve officially entered the 3rd trimester!
From here on out, your baby really begins to put on weight and so will you. The further along you get, the bigger your bump will be. Most women now start to gain about a pound a week. But, don’t worry, a lot of this is water weight that you will shed pretty fast.
As your skin stretches, it may feel dry or itchy. It’s best to trade scratchy fabrics for soft, natural cotton and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! As soon as you step out of the shower, towel off and lube up. Bathing removes your skin’s natural oils, so you want to moisturize to replenish them as soon as you dry your skin. Creams contain lots of water, so they don’t work as well. Better to use rich natural balms, like cocoa butter or shea butter.
Have back aches begun, yet? Weight gain, hormones, weakened abs, and adjusting your posture (over-arching to accommodate your belly) all contribute to lumbar strain. When you’re hurting, exercising may be the last thing you feel like doing, but some gentle moves may be just the thing to help. Pelvic tilts, done on hands and knees (also called cat-cow pose in yoga) can really help. Going for a dip in the pool can also be a short vacation from that it-hurts-all-over feeling. And bonus…swimming improves circulation, especially in the lower half of your body. Of course, if you have back pain, it’s always smart to check in with your doctor, just to be safe.
Your body is gearing up for breastfeeding, and you may feel slight burning in your breasts, take it as a sign that—after a lifetime of waiting—your breasts are finally about to start the work they were always there to do! Even though feeding is still months away, your nipples have probably begun to darken and increase in size. And, they may start leaking a very tiny bit of yellow colostrum, the very early, thick milk that will nourish your baby the first few days of life. Don’t try to squeeze the milk out. Too much manipulation can lead to a painful infection called mastitis.
Note: If you have flat or inverted nipples, now is a time to mention it to your doctor or midwife. They may recommend using a breast shield to help the nipple lengthen, which makes nursing easier.
27 Weeks Pregnant: To-Do List
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Interview baby nurses, newborn care specialists or postpartum doulas: These helpers offer much needed support, teaching you and your partner about routine baby care, assisting with breastfeeding, running errands, even cooking and light cleaning. When interviewing, make sure to ask about her experience; how many hours she will work; what tasks she will (or will not) do; the fee structure (some require a minimum commitment of a few weeks, or longer); and ask what would happen if the baby is born early. Make sure your expectations are aligned and that your personalities are compatible.
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Take an infant CPR class: So important! You’ll learn how to handle emergencies like choking, as well as how to prevent accidents. There are online classes and books available, but nothing beats hands-on training. Visit the Red Cross website to find a class near you or check with your local hospital.
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Research cord blood banking: Saving your baby’s cord blood is becoming more and more common. Over the next 20-30 years, we will learn much more about stem cells. Besides treating certain cancers or immune disorders it’s possible that a baby’s cord blood may have many other life-saving benefits. You might consider banking your baby’s cord blood with a private company or in a public cord blood bank. The latter collects samples from thousands of babies and gives access to a much broader collection of genetic matches, in case a child ever has a need.
Pregnancy Quote of the Week
Making the decision to have a child—it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ― Elizabeth Stone
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