The Baby @ 27 Weeks
Weight: A bit over two pounds Height: A little over nine and one-half inches (crown to rump), or 15 inches from head to toe!
Beginning at this stage they begin to measure the baby from head to toe versus crown to rump. Babyzone talks about the maturing of the baby's lungs and brain and added layers of fat that are continuing to form. Chances of survival continue to increase, though the baby could definitely still use some more weeks of growing. What to Expect talks about development in the baby's hearing and taste buds.
Me @ 27 Weeks
Parenthood.com says "if it seems like you're getting bigger by the minute, well, you are. In the third trimester you'll gain an average of 1 pound a week." Yeah, like that hasnt been happening for the past 15 weeks anyway :) What To Expect states that "nearly three-quarters of pregnant women start to experience mild swelling of the extremities about now, particularly of the feet and ankles (but also your hands, as you may have noticed when you last tried to take off your rings)".
Parenthood also notes that shortness of breath may be noticeable over the next few weeks as your expanding uterus is now pushes against your organs and decreases your lung capacity. I have definitely noticed this in the past few weeks - its hard to get a good breath in. I think that yoga really helps because we spend lots of time "making room" and doing breathing exercises. What I do need to do is practice more of this stuff at home versus just in class!
For week 27 Babyzone also talks about "growing pains": skin itching as it stretches, smaller stomach=smaller, but more frequent meals, heartburn and indigestion as your stomach is pushed up closer to your esophagus, and many trips to the bathroom as the added baby weight puts pressure on your bladder. Recently I have had to go to the bathroom every-time I move, and 3-5 times at night! How am I going to find time to get the normal things in life accomplished if I spend all of my time in the bathroom??
