In the 27th week of pregnancy, the third and final trimester is getting closer, and your baby's fine development is in full swing. Read on to find out what’s happening in your belly right now and what matters 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 happens because the growing uterus presses on surrounding vessels, slowing the return of blood flow to the heart. Although water retention can be uncomfortable, it is generally not dangerous. To help prevent it, make sure you drink plenty of fluids and elevate your legs regularly. You can read more about what you can do to prevent and reduce 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 more important than ever right now. There are many ways they can support you—both emotionally and practically—during this exciting time. Someone who knows what they’re talking about is Micha from the YouTube channel “ ”, who has already supported his wife Cindy through two pregnancies. In the video, the father of two shares his very personal tips on how a partner can contribute during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
27th week of pregnancy: Development of your baby
In recent weeks, the growth of your baby's head has shifted in favor of the torso, so its proportions now resemble those at birth. Your baby's fat reserves continue to increase, making its skin smoother and improving its ability to regulate temperature.
This week, your child's brain is developing significantly. Its previously smooth surface is now forming its characteristic folds. Especially exciting: Around the 27th week of pregnancy, brain activity can be detected, and researchers suspect this may be linked to your child's first dreams. In addition, 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 more time. At the same time, their body begins producing hormones that are released during birth and help move the process along. 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 still turn over 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 pregnancy. This may be due to decreased sleep quality and less frequent deep sleep. Hormones are also suspected to play a role in these intense dreams.
Has your nesting instinct already kicked in? You can put it to good use by 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", and 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
Your child's sensory perception is so well developed that they already pick up quite a bit of the world outside your belly. For example, they perceive light 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. If you wish, you can also get a red cloth yourself to wrap your baby in after birth.
With our pregnancy calendar, we want to accompany you through this exciting time and provide you with relevant information, developed in exchange with our
LILLYDOO experts. However, the advice listed here can never replace a personal consultation with your doctor or midwife. If you have questions or need professional support, always contact your healthcare professional.
