Pregnancy Symptoms Week 27: You Might Pee a Bit When You Sneeze!

The 28th week of pregnancy serves as a transition week between the second and third trimester. Your baby's organs are developing, he is building muscles and moving around a lot! He's getting ready to be born, and you should start prepping for labor and childbirth. You have about three months to go until your due date!

Pregnancy signs Week 27

You're ready to say goodbye to your second trimester, but it doesn't mean that the pregnancy symptoms common in the middle of your pregnancy will go away soon. They may even worsen as you pack on more pounds as your baby crowds all the organs in your abdomen.

Healthy weight gain at 27 weeks pregnant would be around 15 to 30 pounds if you had an average body mass index pre-pregnancy. Your doctor may start to be more strict about your diet if you've gained weight quickly than expected. If your oral glucose test results are less than favorable, your doctor may refer you to a nutritionist dietician to help you manage your weight gain to avoid pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.

Low-impact exercises are understandably difficult now with your big baby bump. But don't give up on pregnancy exercises entirely. Prenatal yoga and swimming are great options when you're feeling extra heavier and easily tired.

Pregnancy symptoms Week 27

By now, you're so used to listening to your body. The more you know what works for you in managing your pregnancy symptoms, the better you can adjust to what's coming when you enter your third trimester.

Many preggos notice they become more assertive in setting boundaries during this time. They will tell people to stop rubbing their belly without permission. It must be the maternal instincts kicking in, knowing that soon you have a little one to care for and protect.

Here are other symptoms you may experience during Week 27.

Peeing a little when you sneeze

It happens because your baby is growing bigger and is putting more pressure on your bladder. It's the same reason why you go to the bathroom to pee a lot. Kegel exercises and pelvic thrusts can help strengthen your muscles down there and help you prep for birth.

Frequently emptying your bladder may not save you from peeing a little. A pantyliner may come in handy, which you're probably using because of your increased vaginal discharge. Be sure to change your pantyliners regularly to avoid getting urinary tract infection (UTI). If it hurts when you pee, consult your doctor immediately. 

Itchy skin

The skin on your belly has stretched so much now that your baby is much bigger, which is why it's even drier and itchier. Lathering up your skin with moisturizers should help ease the itch and prevent stretch marks (also if you see some streaks already showing up). While mild itching and rashes are typical due to hormones and the increased blood supply to the skin, you should still have it checked by your doctor, especially when rashes evolve into patches. It could be pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), a rare hives-like rash.

Restless leg syndrome

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) gives you a tingling feeling like something is creeping and crawling on your feet and legs, sometimes accompanied by an urge to move your legs when you're trying to get some sleep. It may be linked to genetics, pregnancy hormones, and your growing baby pressing down on some nerve endings. Elevating your legs as you lie down to sleep (try to snooze while lying on your side), applying warm compress, and some stretching may help.

Aches and pains

You may experience some aches and pains on your back, lower belly or groin area (or round ligament pain), and your hips. This is due to the pregnancy hormone relaxin, which loosens your joints and ligament in preparation for childbirth. Pregnancy exercises and having correct posture can help relieve pain. Tell your doctor right away if any pain becomes more intense.

Leg cramps

Getting woken up in the middle of the night by painful cramps on the calves has been linked to diet, weight gain, and muscle fatigue. Prenatal yoga and doing calf stretches, such as stretching your legs and then gently flexing your ankle and toes back towards your knees, before bedtime can help.

Constipation, bloatedness, and gas

Your baby's growing size means more pressure on your whole digestive tract, where the muscles are not relaxed and might not be functioning as they should. Drink lots of water and eat fiber-rich food. Stay away from foods that produce gas, such as fried foods, broccoli, root crops, and beans. Don't to strain too much when you poop.

Dizziness and shortness of breath

Your growing uterus is also putting pressure on your veins which restricts oxygen distribution, especially to your brain. It's also crowding your lungs, giving you less room to take in a full breath and making you short of breath. Take your time moving from lying down to sitting and standing up positions. If you find yourself feeling dizzy often or having headaches, ask your doctor so he can rule our anemia or preeclampsia.

Increased bodily fluids

Your body is producing and circulating more and more blood to meet the demands of your growing baby, it has also lead to having increased fluids tend to accumulate in your tissues. This is the culprit behind increased vaginal discharge, vision problems, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, swollen ankles, feet, hands, sore or bleeding gums, a stuffy nose, and nosebleeds.

Your baby's development at 27 weeks

At 27 weeks pregnant, your baby is as big as a cabbage, measuring nearly 14 and a half inches and weighing nearly two pounds. That's nearly double his last week's weight! Should you get an ultrasound, you will still see little one in a snug fetal position.

Your baby's brain tissue is developing with increases in brain activity. By now, your baby is even tasting the food you eat through in his amniotic fluid. He can open and close his eyes now. The irises of his eyes start to develop color as well, though it may still change hue even after birth.

By now that your baby can hear you your voice more clearly, which he or she loves the most — yes, he can distinguish it from others! He can also hear your heartbeat, stomach sounds, and music outside the womb. They sound a bit muffled, not only because of the amniotic fluid that surrounds him (and he now also inhales through his nose) but also because his ears are also covered by vernix caseosa, the waxy protective covering coating his entire skin.

You're also probably detecting a surge of movements, from kicks and rolls to punches and even tiny hiccups. His hiccups don't really make a sound since he's not breathing real air yet. Start observing when your little one is awake and active or asleep. Your doctor may ask you to start counting kicks in your third trimester.

Your to-do list on Week 27 of your pregnancy

Starting next week, you’ll visit the doctor twice a month or every two weeks so he can monitor you and your baby as you get near your due date.

Finalize your birth plan

The earlier you do this, the better. If you haven't signed on to any birth classes yet, now is the time to do so and soon. Be sure to take your partner with you. If you plan to have a doula beside you during childbirth, time to settle and choose one now. Set these up now so you can focus on learning more about birth and your body.

Pick a pediatrician

Use your newfound decisiveness to choose the baby gear and essentials you're planning to buy. Just as you're staying on top of your nesting urges, take scouting for your little one's doctor seriously now.

Start on your postpartum care plan

You will need all the extra hands you can get after the baby arrives. You'll be recovering while trying to get a breastfeeding routine going with your baby. Consider also alternatives if your birth plan suddenly needs adjusting come delivery day.

Make time for your partner and older kids

Since you're going to be more focused on you and your birth, carve out time to spend bonding with your loved ones. Think of it as depositing happy memories in your emotional bank account, so when things get a little bit hectic, you can count on those to keep you going.

Try to enjoy the last stretch of your pregnancy

It's not easy with the worsening pregnancy symptoms. And you're worried about how your birth experience is going to be or having to meet the daunting task that is motherhood. Don't need to let it pin you down. Appreciating the little positive things can go a long way. If you're feeling helpless, don't hesitate to seek help from your partner, family, and your doctor if needed.

More on your week-by-week pregnancy:

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 26: Your Belly Button Pops Out!

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