27th week of pregnancy
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With the 27th week of pregnancy, the third and final trimester is getting closer, and your baby's fine development is in full swing. Read here what is happening in your belly now and what is important this week.
How big is your baby in the 27th week of pregnancy?
Your baby is about 24 centimeters long this week, roughly the size of an eggplant. The crown-to-heel length is approximately 34 centimeters.
27th week of pregnancy: What is changing for you
As the last trimester of pregnancy approaches, many women experience increased water retention in the legs, ankles, and feet, as well as in the forearms, hands, and face. This is because the growing uterus presses on the surrounding vessels, slowing down the blood flow back to the heart. Although water retention can be uncomfortable, it is generally not dangerous. To prevent it, make sure to drink plenty of fluids and elevate your legs regularly. You can read more about what you can do to prevent and avoid edema in the article “ “.
Support the expectant mother
Usually, the expectant mother is the focus when it comes to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. However, support from your partner is now more important than ever. There are many ways they can support you emotionally as well as practically during this exciting time. Someone who knows what they're talking about is Micha from the YouTube channel “ ”, who has already accompanied his wife Cindy through two pregnancies. In the video, the father of two shares his very personal tips on how the partner can contribute during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
27th week of pregnancy: Development of your baby
The growth of your baby's head has shifted in recent weeks in favor of the torso, so that its proportions now resemble those at birth. Your baby's fat reserves continue to increase, making its skin smoother and improving its temperature regulation.
This week, your child's brain is developing significantly. Its previously smooth surface is now developing its characteristic folds. Especially exciting: Around the 27th week of pregnancy, brain activity can be detected, in which researchers suspect your child's first dreams. Additionally, this week marks the beginning of blood formation in your baby's bone marrow – until now, the liver and spleen have been responsible for this.
Many organs are already fully developed; only your child's lungs still need a little time. At the same time, their body begins to produce hormones that are released during birth and help to advance this process. Speaking of birth: it is quite possible that your baby has already assumed its final position. But don't worry if it is not yet head down; many babies turn during the next few weeks.
The reproductive organs are fully developed this week. In boys, the testes are now descending into the scrotum, and girls' ovaries already contain all the egg follicles.
This is now important
Many women report particularly vivid
dreams during this phase of their pregnancy. This may be due to a decrease in your sleep quality and less frequent attainment of deep sleep. Hormones are also suspected as a cause of the wild dreams.Has your nesting instinct already kicked in? You can use it effectively by now making the first preparations for your little explorer's future changing station. Find out everything you need to consider in the article “ 8 Tips for Buying and Setting Up the Changing Table “.
If you want a lasting memory of your pregnancy, now is the perfect time for a maternity shoot. You can creatively showcase your rounded belly, for example, with a DIY flower belt. The instructions can be found in the video "Make your own flower belt for pregnant women", more ideas for maternity shoots and other keepsakes can be found in the article "4 ideas to remember your pregnancy".
Tip from LILLYDOO Midwife Sissi
The sensory perception of your child is so well developed that it already perceives quite a bit of the world outside your belly. For example, it perceives light exposure through your skin and the uterus as a muted red. In some clinics and birth centers, newborns are therefore wrapped in red towels to create a familiar atmosphere for them. If you wish, you can also get a red cloth yourself, into which you can wrap your baby after birth.
With our pregnancy calendar, we want to accompany you through this exciting time and provide you with relevant information, which also in exchange with our
LILLYDOO experts are being developed. However, the advice listed here can never replace personal consultation with your doctor or midwife. For questions and professional support, always contact your healthcare professional.