Week 27 at a glance
At 27 weeks pregnant, you’re in the last week of the second trimester, and baby is the size of a cauliflower ‒ cute!
How are you doing, mama?
At 27 weeks pregnant, your growing baby might be causing you physical and emotional strain.
It’s pretty normal to have a lot on your mind around now, whether that’s trying to relieve your pesky aches and pains, or deciding which car seat or crib to buy.
Our advice? Take it one day at a time.
You are doing an awesome job for your baby already!
Here’s the lowdown on what to expect at 27 weeks pregnant.
In this article: 📝
- Week 27 at a glance
- Baby development at 27 weeks
- Pregnancy symptoms at 27 weeks
- Pregnancy tips at 27 weeks
Baby development at 27 weeks
There’s a lot going on inside that 27 weeks pregnant belly!
Your baby is around 14.5 inches (37 cm) long and will be weighing in at approximately 2 pounds (907 grams) ‒ around the size of a head of lettuce.
And they’re pretty busy building up their muscle strength with all their kicks, punches, and flips.
Your fetus at 27 weeks is now practicing taking breaths.
Yes, they’re “breathing” amniotic fluid, but it means they’ll be able to fill their lungs with fresh air once they’re earthside.
This is a time of rapid brain development, and your baby is starting to show brain activity.
You’ve got a genius on your hands already.
Not only are they getting their thinking cap on, but they’re also working on their senses.
They’ll now be able to recognize your voice and other familiar sounds, albeit very muffled.
Their taste buds are developing too, so if you eat something spicy, you may well feel some little baby hiccups an hour or two later.
Cute!
What does a 27-week fetus look like?
27 weeks isn’t a time for a routine ultrasound, but if you could see your baby, they’d pretty much look like a smaller, skinnier version of that chubby-cheeked newborn you’ll be meeting in a few months.
What position is baby in at 27 weeks?
It’s hard to pin down an exact position for a 27-week fetus, thanks to all the moving and shaking they’re doing.
Hopefully, they’ll shuffle into a head-down position soon, which is best for a vaginal birth, but there’s still plenty of time for them to change up their 27 weeks pregnant baby position.
How long do babies sleep in the womb at 27 weeks?
Quite a long time!
Most of the time, babies in the womb will be asleep.
And when they’re awake, you’ll know ‒ they’ll be moving about and kicking more often than when they’re sleeping.
Can my baby feel me rub my belly at 27 weeks?
We think so ‒ at least, your fetus can respond to you rubbing your bump from about 26 weeks.
Pregnancy symptoms at 27 weeks
Now baby’s basically a mini version of their newborn selves, what about what’s going on with you, mama?
Your baby is working overtime, and you probably feel like you are, too.
It’s pretty much pregnant business as usual at 27 weeks.
You’re probably pretty used to most of the pregnancy symptoms by now, but here are some that might be new to you at 27 weeks.
Restless leg syndrome, mild swelling in your feet, and ankles (edema), and feeling a little faint are pretty normal, so make sure you rest up when you can, stay hydrated, and keep some healthy snacks with you for when you need a boost.
And that’s not all!
At 27 weeks pregnant, you might also experience:
Nasal congestion
You might not have heard of pregnancy rhinitis before, but it can be a real pain to deal with.
Rather than over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays that tend not to have a lasting effect, try staying hydrated, using a humidifier at home, and doing some gentle exercise.
Feeling hairy?
Some women can experience rapid growth of body hair throughout pregnancy.
While it can be great if the hair on your head is looking thick and lush, it’s not so great to have to tackle your legs with a razor when you can’t see what you’re doing…
It’s all thanks to hormones called androgens, and it’ll go back to normal after birth.
Phew!
How often should I feel kicks at 27 weeks?
It changes for more active babies, but you can typically expect about 6-10 kicks or general baby movements every 2 hours (although fetuses do sleep lots, as we know!).
But by now, you’ll know your baby best, so you may be familiar with their sleeping and kicking patterns.
If you haven’t noticed any movements for a while, try eating something spicy or moving about a bit to encourage baby to move.
And if you still don’t notice any movement after 2-4 hours, have a chat with your doctor to make sure you don’t need any further investigations.
How many months is 27 weeks pregnant?
27 weeks pregnant in months is about 6 and a half.
Only 13 weeks to go!
Is 27 weeks third trimester?
Not quite, mama ‒ this is the last week of the second trimester.
Pregnancy tips at 27 weeks
So what should you not be doing at 27 weeks pregnant?
Well, it’s pretty much the same as earlier in your pregnancy.
So no alcohol, raw fish or meat, smoking, unpasteurized milk and cheese, and anything else your doctor has recommended.
Can I lay on my back while 27 weeks pregnant?
You can lay on your back at 27 weeks pregnant, but it’s best not to, particularly for long periods of time.
You may find it uncomfortable, but there is also a link between sleeping on your back while pregnant (after 28 weeks) and stillbirth.
So it’s best to stick to sleeping on your side at 27 weeks, with the left side being better than your right.
What should I be doing at 27 weeks pregnant?
So at 27 weeks pregnant, what should you be ticking off your list?
Well…
- Start thinking about your birth preferences ‒ if you want a doula, get researching and booking one now!
`spacer - Try out a birth class (like Lamaze).
`spacer - Make plans for maternity leave.
`spacer - Invest in a pregnancy bump support belt to lift off some of the weight of your growing bump ‒ and save your back! We love this one by Lola&Lykke.
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So at 27 weeks pregnant, you’re in the final countdown ‒ keep going, mama!
You’re doing great!