Day 193 of 280, second trimester
You are 27 weeks and 4 days
Your baby is growing eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair on her head, and making full use of the space in your uterus.
87 days until your due date
Your baby's eyes are now open, her eyebrows and eyelashes have grown, and the hair on her head keeps getting longer.
She's probably using all the space available and may well be breech (bottom down) at least some of the time. That's the case in a third of pregnancies at this stage, but her position is unlikely to settle until after 36 or 37 weeks.
Because the shape of the uterus naturally favors a head-down position, only 3–4 percent of babies are still breech after 37 weeks. It can be hard for you, and your doctor, to tell your baby's position now. Feeling kicks in one place doesn't tell you much, because she's very flexible, and a scan might show her doubled up with her feet on her head.
Good to know
Blood tests
Some time between 26 and 30 weeks, your blood will be tested for anemia, and if you're anemic, your doctor may prescribe iron tablets. Because the fluid in your blood increases, your hemoglobin is likely to fall later in pregnancy, so it's worth tackling now. Iron tablets can cause constipation or diarrhea; if so, ask whether your prescription can be changed, or whether an over-the-counter liquid iron, which is gentler on the stomach, would suit you.
If an earlier test showed you're Rh-negative, you'll have an Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) injection at around 28–34 weeks, and another after the birth.
Focus on
Your health: Pelvic girdle pain
You'll know you have pelvic girdle pain (PGP) when sneezing hurts, you're waddling, and turning over in bed is a major task. Formerly called SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction), it affects one in five pregnant women. It's caused by hormonal changes that alter how the pelvic joint works and can be extremely painful.
If you have PGP, try:
- Keeping your legs together when getting in and out of bed or the car (a plastic bag on the car seat helps you swivel).
- Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs.
- Wearing comfortable shoes.
- Avoiding tasks that hurt, such as housework or pushing a shopping cart.
- Relaxing in warm water.
- Asking your doctor for a support belt.
- Physical therapy and acupuncture, which studies suggest may help.
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.