Hello Little One

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Day 189 of 280, second trimester

You are 27 weeks exactly

As you soak in a relaxing bath, it's amazing to watch your baby moving and stretching your belly.

91 days until your due date

Your belly is a marvelous thing. It's already changed so much over 27 weeks and will keep growing until you give birth.

When your baby kicks and turns, look down and you may see him move, or even the imprint of a foot as it kicks you.

Bath time is a good time to watch; your baby may be more active because you're relaxed, and you can take time to observe him. Keep your partner involved by encouraging him to touch your belly when the baby is active.

Focus on

Dads: Are you tired too?

Pregnancy is more tiring than most women expect. In the third trimester, pressure on her bladder wakes your partner at night, her belly makes it hard to get comfortable, and shifting organs and changing hormones add to her restlessness. If she can't sleep, you'll probably be disturbed too, so you both end up constantly tired.

Unfortunately, there's no real answer. Going to bed earlier can help, but so can relaxing together before bed. Disrupted sleep is now part of life for you both, and cutting back on evening socializing may help.

Explainer

Enjoy the bump

Watching your baby move is wonderful, and you may even miss your active, growing belly once you're no longer pregnant.

Ask a Doctor

My belly measurement hasn't changed for three weeks. Why isn't my baby growing?

Your abdomen is measured to find the height of the top of your uterus, which shows how the baby is growing. Check whether the same person is measuring you each time, because technique varies. It isn't useful early on, but after 26 weeks growth can be assessed this way.

Even with your own growth chart and the same person measuring, the estimate isn't 100 percent accurate. If there are concerns, your doctor may order an ultrasound to find out why your measurement (fundal height) hasn't changed.

Appointments and key dates around now

  • Whooping cough vaccineUsually around 20 weeks, best before 32 weeks

Read the full 27 weeks pregnant guide

This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.