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🌿Second TrimesterWeeks 14-27

Week 27 of Pregnancy

Your baby is the size of cauliflower
📏
Length
14.4 inches
⚖️
Weight
2 pounds
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Size Comparison
Cauliflower

👶 Baby Development

  • Baby can recognize and respond to your voice, your partner's voice, and familiar sounds
  • Lungs continue maturing but still aren't fully ready for breathing air
  • Baby has established regular sleep and wake cycles that may not match yours
  • Brain is highly active with waves that can be measured on EEG
  • Hands are active - baby grasps umbilical cord, touches face, and sucks thumb
  • Baby can open and close eyes now
  • Hiccups are common as diaphragm develops

💭 Common Symptoms

  • Preparing physically and mentally for third trimester
  • Possible sciatic nerve pain shooting down legs from baby's position
  • Increased Braxton Hicks contractions
  • Possible swelling in hands, feet, and face
  • Trouble sleeping and frequent nighttime urination
  • Possible anxiety about upcoming labor and delivery
  • Growing belly causing balance and coordination changes

🥗 Nutrition Tips

  • Continue balanced nutrition with variety of whole foods
  • Eat foods rich in vitamin K like leafy greens for blood clotting
  • Include healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and olive oil for brain development
  • Stay hydrated with 10-12 glasses of water daily
  • Include DHA-rich foods for final brain development surge
  • Eat small frequent meals to maintain energy
  • Continue prenatal vitamins religiously

To-Do This Week

  • Celebrate completing your second trimester - the "honeymoon period"!
  • Schedule third trimester appointments (now every 2-3 weeks, then weekly)
  • Start gathering items for your hospital bag
  • Review and refine your birth plan with your provider
  • Pre-register at your hospital or birth center
  • Take final maternity photos if desired
  • Begin thinking about postpartum support and help
  • Start stocking freezer with easy meals for postpartum
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Did You Know?

Your baby now has regular sleep-wake cycles and may even experience REM sleep, which means they could be dreaming! You may notice patterns in when baby is most active.