27th week of pregnancy (27th TT): does the fetus already have its sleep rhythm?

The 27th week of pregnancy, in this week the second trimester ends and the last third trimester begins.

In a few weeks, you will have your longed-for baby with you. However, it still needs time to grow, gain weight and perfect the function of its organs.

You wonder who the baby will look like? Maybe you dream about the baby sometimes and imagine what it will look like. Whether it will have the shape of your lips, the colour of your hair, the eyes of its father. It's a little surprise that you won't know until after the birth.

In the meantime, enjoy the pregnancy, the movements of the fetus and prepare for the arrival of the longed-for baby.

The fetal movements are very intense during this period. The baby in your tummy makes itself known by kicking, rolling and stretching.

How is your baby developing in your tummy?

The baby measures approximately 36 cm and weighs at least 800 g.

The foetus stores subcutaneous fat, gains weight and the skin folds begin to fill in with fat, causing plumpness.

In one week, the fetus gains up to 200 grams.

The table shows the approximate dimensions of the fetus at 27 weeks, measured sonographically

For more information on fetal measurements, see the article: ultrasound in pregnancy: fetal size, what is fetal biometry?

The fetal lungs are not yet fully developed and need time to fully mature. The baby practices breathing from time to time, which improves the lungs. The fetus spends about 10 to 20% of the time breathing.

The surfactant in the lungs continues to build up slowly.

The fetus swallows amniotic fluid and sucks its thumb, developing the sucking reflex needed after birth. After swallowing amniotic fluid, the fetus may develop hiccups. They are common during this period of development.

The nervous system continues to develop and improve.

The brain becomes more active than before. Neurons and synapses form in the brain.

The nervous system is used to process stimuli from the environment and then to ensure the body's response to these stimuli. The nervous system is divided into the central system and the peripheral system. The central system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral system is made up of individual nerves and sensory organs such as vision, hearing, smell and balance.

Neurons are nerve cells and are the basic building blocks of the nervous system. Neurons are responsible for the generation, transmission and processing of signals.

There are different types of neurons in the nervous system. Neurons are interconnected and form neural circuits. A synapse is the point of contact between a neuron and another neuron and is used to transmit excitations from neuron to neuron.

Nerve transmission is the transfer of information from the internal and external environment through the nervous system directly to the cells of the body.

An infant listens to sounds from the environment, your voice, your heartbeat. However, he perceives sounds in a muffled way. His ears are covered with a lubricant called vernix caseosa, which protects the skin from getting wet.

Its hearing is still developing. Talk to it or sing to it so it recognises your voice.

The taste buds are developed and the baby enjoys the amniotic fluid. The taste of the amniotic fluid depends on the food you eat.

The taste of the food you eat passes into the amniotic fluid. Bitter and spicy foods can irritate the fetus. It may happen that about 2 hours after eating a meal, the fetus starts to cough.

In the womb, the fetus blinks and looks around.

The baby begins to have its own rhythm of sleeping and waking. Notice at what times it is active, when it kicks and when it sleeps. These periods begin to recur regularly at certain times each day. If your baby wakes, kicks and rolls over at night, this may also wake you from sleep.

Your partner may put his ear to your belly and feel the fetal heart beating at 110 to 150 beats per minute.

How does a woman feel at 27 weeks pregnant?

Your tummy is growing every day and has visibly increased in size over the last two weeks.

You are starting to gain more weight, which is quite normal. You may feel an increased appetite and a mixing of tastes.

Now is the time to start monitoring your baby's movements. If you notice a sudden drop in movements, tell your doctor.

A common symptom occurring in the 27th week of pregnancy is increased fatigue. You are tired earlier, feeling like you can't handle as much as you did in the previous weeks.

You've gained more weight in the last few months. The increased weight and growing belly make you feel like you can't do as much as you used to. Rest when you start to feel tired and weak.

The occurrence of uterine contractions (errands) may be more frequent than the feeling of your abdomen hardening. These contractions prepare the uterus for labour and come at irregular intervals during the day.

You don't need to worry. Painless abdominal cramping is normal if it occurs several times a day.

Itchy skin on the abdomen. Your abdominal skin is more stressed, tight, dry and itchy as a result. Apply a moisturiser to the skin to relieve dryness and the subsequent appearance of stretch marks. For dry and itchy skin, try an oatmeal bath to relieve itching and soften the skin.

You may notice that small red rashes have formed on some areas of your body. Rashes can be itchy and painful. During pregnancy, your body heats up more quickly. The combination of overheating, subsequent sweating and rubbing your skin against each other, such as on your thighs or against your clothes, can increase the incidence of sweat rash.

A very unpleasant symptom that sometimes persists throughout pregnancy. It is caused by pregnancy hormones, increased blood supply to the mucous membranes and subsequent swelling of the mucous membranes. Constant sniffling and sneezing can dry out the nasal mucosa and cause bleeding.

Snoring may occur more frequently because the mucous membranes are more swollen and clogged due to congestion.

Sleep problems are common. The size of your abdomen makes it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. You are more likely to wake from sleep when you change position or feel like urinating more often. The feeling of a stuffy nose or sore throat in your legs may also contribute to waking during sleep.

It is recommended to sleep on your side and avoid sleeping on your back. Lying on your back and the subsequent pressure of the uterus and fetus can press on the inferior vena cava and cause a drop in blood pressure, inadequate blood supply to the extremities and subsequent tingling.

Restless legs syndrome. Some women suffer from this very syndrome during pregnancy. You feel like your legs want to do something, they have to be constantly moving and you may feel tingling in your legs. This may be due to a lack of iron in the blood.

If you have this problem, tell your doctor. The doctor will draw blood to check your blood iron levels. Relaxation techniques or yoga can help you relieve this feeling.

Headaches may occur more often. Keep up your drinking regime. When you have a headache, lie down in a dark, well-ventilated room and try to relax.

Headaches can be caused by thirst, hunger, lack of blood sugar, fatigue, or even an unhealthy diet. If your headache is more frequent, try to think about whether a particular food is causing it.

Back pain, especially in the lumbar region. A growing belly forces you to change the position of your spine, you are more hunched over and your back muscles are under more strain. Try to keep your spine in a normal position and do not bend over. Exercises to strengthen your back muscles, such as yoga or exercising and sitting on a fit ball, are good for back pain.

Leg cramps can occur at any time of the day or even at night. The cause may be a deficiency of minerals such as magnesium or calcium.

Hot flushes are triggered by pregnancy hormones. They are manifested by a sudden sensation of warmth or heat all over the body, followed by sweating.

Dizziness can occur throughout pregnancy. A sudden feeling of dizziness or a feeling of fainting may occur.

If you feel faint, sit up immediately. It is best to lie down and raise your legs above head level. This will speed up the blood flow from the legs to the brain and make the dizziness disappear. Be careful when getting up. Get up slowly, first to a sitting position. Stay in this position for at least a few minutes. Then you can stand up.

You may feel faint somewhere where you cannot sit or lie down. In this case, alert the person with you. Stand up, lean against a wall or ask for support. Lift your head, look straight ahead and breathe deeply. Then take a drink. It should pass in a few seconds.

You'll get out of breath faster, you may even feel short of breath. You'll start having trouble walking up stairs, or even walking faster.

The dark line from the pubic bone to the belly button on the abdomen, called the linea nigra, is more pronounced and darker.

Swelling of the hands and feet may be more common. They are especially common in the wrist area, after long periods of walking, but also under normal conditions. If the swelling does not occur suddenly and does not increase in size, it is a common symptom of pregnancy. Swelling is especially typical towards the end of pregnancy.

Constipation and the subsequent pressure on the stool can cause the formation of hemorrhoids. Try to follow a drinking regime and add fiber, plenty of fruits and vegetables to the diet. Consuming prunes or plum compote is a good way to relieve constipation.

Symptoms caused by pregnancy hormones that persist throughout pregnancy include mood changes, different food cravings, increased odor, painful breasts, milky vaginal discharge.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, see your doctor or nearest hospital immediately:

• Extreme swelling of the feet, fingers, face
• Decreased fetal movements
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe cramps, abdominal or small pelvic pain
• Regularly coming contractions
• Sudden change in vaginal discharge or vaginal bleeding

Advice for pregnant women in the 27th week of pregnancy

There are no special tests waiting for you in the 27th week of pregnancy.

Between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, a test for gestational diabetes called oGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) is done.

You can find out more about the oGTT test and how it works in the pregnancy advice section of this article.

If you had the test in the previous weeks and are now scheduled for counseling, it will be done like any normal counseling session.

Your blood pressure will be taken, your urine protein will be checked, your weight gain will be recorded, and the growth of the uterus from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus will be measured. The doctor will check the consistency and closure of the cervix, uterine hardness, fetal position, and fetal heart sounds.

During the consultation, you have the opportunity to ask the doctor about any problems that are bothering you. The doctor will also ask about swelling, abdominal hardening and fetal movements.

What to look out for?

• Try to establish and follow a strict sleep schedule.
• Rest a lot, relax, do not lift heavy objects and do not overexert yourself.
• Try to go for a walk every day and get plenty of exercise. Being outdoors, preferably in nature, will help you recharge, relax and organise your thoughts.
• If the weather doesn't suit you, exercise at home. Exercise for pregnancy and pregnancy yoga are suitable.
• Exercise your back muscles to strengthen them and prevent lower back pain.
• A good pregnancy exercise for lower back pain, for better back flexibility and to strengthen the abdominal muscles is an exercise called the cat-back. Kneel on the floor, brace your arms so that your shoulders are flat on the ground and straighten your back. Then pull in your abdomen, buttocks and arch your back. Stay in this position for a while and remember to breathe steadily.
• Kegel exercises will firm your pelvic floor and prepare you for childbirth and a faster recovery after delivery.
• Try different relaxation techniques that will relax you and make you feel good. These include breathing exercises, meditation, aromatherapy, music therapy, relaxation massage.
• Eat a healthy diet with sufficient intake of vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium.
• During the day, follow a drinking regime to hydrate not only yourself, but also the fetus.
• Limit fluid intake an hour before bedtime so that a full bladder does not drive you out of bed
• Supplement prenatal vitamins to ensure a daily supply of vitamins, minerals and trace elements for healthy growth and development during pregnancy.
• Take care of yourself, your skin, which is prone to dryness and stretch marks.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that don't restrict or pinch.
• Find out about antenatal courses that focus on correct breathing techniques during labour. They will prepare you and your partner for a birth that will be an unforgettable experience full of indescribable joy at the arrival of your longed-for baby.

Read also other interesting articles about pregnancy:

• What is pre-eclampsia? Does it pose a risk to pregnancy?
• How to recognize pre-eclampsia and its symptoms in pregnancy? What are the risks of pre-eclampsia?
• Restless legs syndrome: How to manage it? Can exercise help?
• In pregnancy, watch out for anemia. What are its causes, symptoms?
• How much to gain during pregnancy? What does it depend on and what to watch out for?
• What causes burning skin and what helps?

Feel more about the other weeks of pregnancy in the summary article.