27 Weeks Pregnant
second trimester · Month 6
13 Weeks to Go!
Baby is as long as a head of lettuce
Key Takeaways
- Brain very active; REM sleep (dreaming!) begins
- Lungs mature rapidly; breathing motions regular
- Can open/close eyes, recognize light
27 Weeks Pregnant
Baby’s Development
Your baby now measures about 36.6 centimeters — roughly the size of a head of lettuce — and weighs around 875 grams [1]. Your baby’s brain is remarkably active right now, and REM sleep has begun, which means your little one may actually be dreaming. The lungs are maturing quickly, with surfactant production increasing and regular breathing motions. The eyes can open and blink, sense light, and may even turn toward a light source. Body fat is building (around 3 percent of body weight now), and the skin still has some wrinkles but is less translucent. Taste buds are active — your baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and tasting hints of what you ate. Movement continues with kicks, rolls, somersaults, and hiccups. The third trimester begins next week [2].
Pregnancy Symptoms
Your energy may be waning. The usual symptoms are likely still present — backache, heartburn, constipation, leg cramps, swelling in your feet, ankles, and fingers, headaches, and Braxton Hicks. Your uterus now sits about 7 centimeters above your navel, and the kicks are very active, sometimes visible from the outside. Round ligament pain, sciatica, or pelvic pain (SPD) may bother you. Heartburn often worsens, and restless legs, hemorrhoids, or carpal tunnel may appear. Your resting heart rate runs around 80 to 100 beats per minute, you may feel short of breath, and “snissing” is common. Itchy skin — and possibly PUPPP rash — can develop as your belly grows [2].
Body Changes
Your uterus has risen about 7 centimeters above your navel, between your navel and your sternum. Most women have gained between 19 and 26 pounds by week 27, and the bump is clearly visible. You may notice stretch marks, the linea nigra, melasma, more visible veins, or varicose veins. Your breasts may be up about two cup sizes, and colostrum may leak. The “pregnancy mask” can appear on your face, and skin tags or a PUPPP rash may develop [2].
Tips for Week 27
- Savor the last week of the second trimester — enjoy the energy while it lasts, since the third trimester brings more physical demand.
- Get your Tdap vaccine — it’s recommended between 27 and 36 weeks in every pregnancy, even if you’ve had it before, because it passes protective antibodies to your baby for the first months of life.
- Start thinking about your labor and birth preferences — a written birth plan is helpful, but keep it flexible. Consider pain management (epidural, nitrous, or natural), positions, support people, and the environment you want, and talk it over with your OB.
- Ease leg cramps at night — magnesium glycinate (200 to 400 mg), calcium (around 1,000 mg a day), calf stretches before bed (a wall push-up works well), and plenty of hydration can help.
Things To Do (Checklist)
- Get TDap vaccine (27-36 weeks)
- Begin drafting birth plan/preferences
- Continue 150 min/week exercise
- Treat leg cramps (magnesium, calcium, stretching)
- Continue kick counting (10 in 2 hrs daily)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do I need Tdap every pregnancy? A: Because the antibodies wane over time. A Tdap between 27 and 36 weeks passes protection to your baby for the first months of life, until your baby’s own vaccines begin. It guards against pertussis (whooping cough), which can be dangerous for newborns [1].
Q: How do I write a birth plan? A: Think of it as preferences rather than requirements. Cover pain management, positions, support people, the environment (lighting, music), and the immediate postpartum (skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, breastfeeding). Discuss it with your OB at your next visit, and stay flexible [2].
Q: My belly is itching badly. Is that PUPPP? A: It could be, and it’s common. It’s worth distinguishing from cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver condition in the second or third trimester that causes severe itching — especially on the palms and soles — without a rash. Cholestasis needs medical attention, so mention it to your provider [1].
For Dads
- Discuss the birth plan with your partner — talk through pain management, who will be in the room, photos and video, and who announces the birth. Being aligned before the day makes everything smoother.
- Research pediatricians (round two) — interview two or three. Ask about office hours, after-hours coverage, hospital affiliation, vaccination policy, breast and formula support, and on-call rotation.
- Build the “hospital run” plan — keep a bag in the car, map the route and parking, know the entrance for day or night, line up a backup driver, and decide what to grab at the last minute.
- Read The Expectant Father, Chapter 25 — it covers the birth itself, your role, and the decisions you’ll make in the moment.
- Pray for the brain — REM sleep, dreaming, and the unfolding neural complexity that forms the architecture of personhood.
Sources
- ACOG — How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy
- Mayo Clinic — 27 Weeks Pregnant
- What to Expect When You’re Expecting — Heidi Murkoff (Chapters 15-16: Second Trimester to Third)
Sources
- guideline ACOG — How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy
- medical Mayo Clinic — 27 Weeks Pregnant
- book What to Expect When You're Expecting — Heidi Murkoff
Your Checklist
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Action Plan Items for Week 27
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