The story of being 27 weeks pregnant

            The second trimester of your pregnancy is closing and your baby is starting to look more like, well, a baby. By now your child is roughly fourteen inches long (if fully measured from head to little toes) and weighs about two pounds. In order for your baby to show his full strength you’ll notice a lot of activity in your tummy. Kicking and turning at all hours is normal, even if it’s not always noticeable. Many mothers claim that they don’t feel anything going on or only feel kicks a few times a day; this can be cause for concern, but most likely it’s not a dire emergency. Babies at twenty-seven weeks have developed sleeping patterns, so he might just be taking a nap. If it’s been even longer than a simple afternoon snooze there’s still little room to worry, placenta often blocks kicks (especially if anteriorly set) and keeps you oblivious to any acrobatics.

            Feeling your baby get some early exercise isn’t the only great milestone of the twenty-seventh week! He’s now taking on the well-dubbed ‘fetal position’, brain tissue is rapidly developing, his eyes are opening and closing, and the common knack for thumb-sucking has potential to start. While the lungs are still very immature, he’s progressed to using the amniotic fluid for oxygen. However, most exciting for future moms is the fact that your baby can recognize your voice! Sounds may be rather muffled in your child’s ears depending on where the placenta is located, but who can resist talking to their baby? If you and your partner are lucky enough there’s a chance that the infant’s heartbeat can be heard through your tummy!

            In regards to your baby, this stage of pregnancy and development can be extraordinary and beautiful, but in regards to yourself...not so much. Symptoms associated with pregnancy are in full swing, and as always, vary from woman to woman. Common ailments are fatigue, cramps (in the legs, mostly at night), nausea, heartburn, back pain, trouble sleeping, and swelling of the extremities. Edema (the aforementioned swelling) is due to fluid build up and is normal, but still annoying. ManyWeeksPregnant advises to remove your rings before swollen fingers make it impossible. Elevating, massaging, and exercising the troubled limbs, and reducing salt intake, can help keep the cankles at bay.

            Uncomfortable effects of pregnancy are sure to be felt until the day you give birth, but any severe pains or abnormalities need to be handled immediately. If you notice your abdomen to be aching or feeling especially tender, have excessive vomiting and/or nausea, chills or fevers, period-like cramps, vaginal discharge even slightly tinted with blood, or experience any abdominal trauma then contact your physician. It’s easy to jump to conclusions and expect the worst if these issues come up, but panicking won’t do your baby any good either. On the opposite end, trusting your body and heightened maternal instincts is vital to being a mother. Even a minor suspicion that something is amiss is worth your attention, and if you feel it’s severe enough then it’s worth medical attention as well.