27 weeks pregnant
At 27 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a cabbage: around 36.6 cm head to heel and 875 g. Sleep and wake cycles are becoming more regular.
Your baby at 27 weeks
Sleep and wake cycles are becoming more regular.
| Size | About the size of a cabbage |
|---|---|
| Length | 36.6 cm head to heel |
| Weight | 875 g |
Your baby is settling into more regular cycles of sleep and wakefulness. The brain is very active, and the lungs, liver and immune system are maturing. Your baby may recognise your voice and your partner's. You may feel rhythmic jerks, which are your baby's hiccups and are completely harmless. This is the last week of the second trimester.
How far along are you at 27 weeks?
At 27 weeks pregnant you are in the sixth month of your pregnancy and the second trimester. You have about 13 weeks to go until your due date. Doctors count pregnancy from the first day of your last period, not from conception, so at 27 weeks your baby has been growing for about 25 weeks. Not sure of your dates? Use our due date calculator.
Your body at 27 weeks
Leg cramps and heartburn are common. A glucose test for gestational diabetes is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks.
Common symptoms at 27 weeks
Every pregnancy is different, and you may have some, all or none of these.
- Back pain. Your bump is getting heavier.
- Leg cramps. Calf stretches before bed help.
- Shortness of breath. Your lungs have less room as your womb grows.
- Heartburn. Eat smaller meals and sit up after eating.
- Swelling. Put your feet up when you can.
- Baby hiccups. Regular little jerks that can last several minutes.
Your checklist for week 27
- Have the whooping cough vaccine if you haven't yet. It works best given by 32 weeks.
- Ask about the RSV vaccine, which is offered from 28 weeks in some countries (32 to 36 weeks in the US) to protect your baby from a serious chest infection.
- Start writing your birth preferences: where you'd like to give birth, who you want with you and your thoughts on pain relief.
- Make sure your glucose test results are back.
- Talk to your partner about the plan for getting to hospital.
Tip of the week: Thinking about your birth plan
A birth plan isn't a contract, but it helps your team know what matters to you. Think about pain relief (gas and air, epidural or other options), positions for labour, who you want with you, delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin contact and how you plan to feed your baby. Keep it short and flexible, because labour doesn't always go to plan.
For your partner
Leg cramps and heartburn can ruin sleep.
- Rub her calves when cramps hit
- Keep antacids her doctor approved at home
- Look into paternity leave
When to call your doctor at 27 weeks
Contact your doctor, midwife or maternity unit the same day if you have:
- Your baby is moving less than usual.
- Fluid leaking, bleeding, or regular, painful tightenings.
Call your doctor or hospital straight away for bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, severe headache or vision changes, or fewer baby movements.
Questions about 27 weeks pregnant
Are baby hiccups normal?
Yes. Hiccups are very common from the second trimester and are harmless. They feel like small, regular jerks or taps and can last a few minutes. They are a sign that your baby's nervous system and breathing muscles are developing.
When does the third trimester start?
The third trimester starts at 28 weeks and lasts until your baby is born. From now, your check-ups usually become more frequent.
Which vaccines are recommended in pregnancy?
Flu, whooping cough (pertussis) and, in many countries, RSV vaccines are recommended in pregnancy, and COVID-19 vaccination may also be advised. All are given to protect you and your newborn. Ask your doctor which are offered where you live.