Week 27 of pregnancy: Last Week of the Second Trimester

This site counts weeks 13 to 27 as the second trimester and 28 to 40 as the third, so this is the last week of the middle stretch; other sources draw the line slightly differently. Your baby's eyes can now open and blink, and responses to sound are becoming reliable. Two useful things to start now: get to know how and when your baby usually moves, and ask whether a whooping cough vaccine is recommended in your pregnancy. It is also a good week to book antenatal classes.

Your baby is typically about 36 to 37 cm from crown to heel, and ultrasound estimates often fall around 0.9 to 1.1 kg. The 875 g shown is slightly under that, well within normal variation and in keeping with Indian babies often being smaller than Western chart medians. The aubergine is a rough guide to size only.

Every pregnancy is different - you may have some, all or none of these.

Breathlessness

The uterus presses up under the diaphragm and progesterone makes you breathe more deeply. Slow down on stairs and sit upright. Sudden breathlessness, or breathlessness at rest or with chest pain, is an emergency.

Leg cramps

A sudden, painful tightening of the calf, often at night. Pulling your toes up towards you and gentle calf stretches before bed may help. A calf that stays painful, swollen or warm is different and needs a same-day check.

Heartburn

A burning feeling behind the breastbone after meals or when lying down. Smaller portions, a gap before lying down and raising the head end of the bed help.

Stronger movements

Kicks and rolls are easy to feel now and may be visible from outside. The timing and feel of your baby's movements are individual, which is why learning their pattern matters.

Braxton Hicks tightenings

Tightenings that come and go without a pattern. If they become regular, stronger or painful before 37 weeks, get checked straight away.

• Whooping cough vaccine (Tdap)

  Varies by provider

  27–36 weeks (India, FOGSI; US); usually around 20 weeks in the UK

  Vaccination in pregnancy aims to help protect your baby after birth, as your antibodies cross the placenta in increasing amounts in the third trimester. India's government schedule gives Td; FOGSI recommends Tdap at 27 to 36 weeks, often in place of the second Td dose, mainly in private care. The US advises it at 27 to 36 weeks in every pregnancy.

• Flu vaccine

  Varies by provider

  Any stage, in flu season

  The inactivated flu vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy in the UK and US. FOGSI strongly recommends it in India, although it is not part of the national schedule.

• Glucose test deadline

  Routine

  By 28 weeks

  The recommended window for India's second gestational diabetes test closes at 28 weeks. If yours has not been done, ask about it this week.

• Antenatal classes

  Varies by provider

  Third trimester

  Many hospitals and some community groups run classes on labour, breastfeeding and newborn care. Booking now gives you time to attend before the final weeks.

• 🌿For vitamin A, rely on colourful plant foods. Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato (shakarkandi), ripe mango, ripe papaya and green leafy vegetables provide beta-carotene, which is considered safe in pregnancy.
• 🌿Avoid liver and liver products, cod liver oil and any supplement containing retinol unless your doctor prescribes it, because too much of this form of vitamin A can harm the baby.
• 🌿Check the label of any multivitamin or tonic you are offered, and tell your doctor about anything you take beyond your prescribed tablets.
• 🌿Ripe papaya in normal amounts is generally considered fine. It is unripe or semi-ripe green papaya, with its latex, that is best avoided, including kachcha papaya sabzi and salads.

• •Walking, swimming and prenatal yoga remain good choices. Use the talk test: you should still be able to hold a conversation.
• •As your balance shifts, avoid activities with a risk of falling, and move slowly from lying to sitting to standing to avoid dizziness.
• •Gentle calf stretches in the evening may reduce night cramps.
• •If you enjoy swimming, the water takes weight off your back and pelvis; avoid hot tubs and very hot pools.

• •Start learning your baby's movement pattern: when they tend to be active and what their movements feel like. There is no set number of kicks to reach, and movements do not slow down near the end of pregnancy. Any reduction or change is a reason to call the maternity unit that day.
• •Every baby has their own rhythm, so compare only with your own baby's usual pattern, not with other people's.
• •Book antenatal classes and, if you can, go with the person who will be with you at the birth.
• •If you plan to travel in the coming weeks, check with the airline first; many need a doctor's fit-to-fly letter late in pregnancy.

• ?Do you recommend the Tdap vaccine for me, and when should I have it?
• ?Is a flu vaccine advisable this season?
• ?Has my second glucose test been done, and what was the result?
• ?Which antenatal classes does this hospital run?
• ?Who should I call, day or night, if my baby's movements change?

• Note when your baby is usually active
• Save the maternity unit's contact number in your phone
• Ask about the Tdap and flu vaccines
• Book an antenatal class
• Make sure the 24–28 week glucose test is done