26 Weeks, 2 Days - The 27th Week

My Symptoms
I think we've hit the active time for baby movement. Before I kind of thought she didn't move a whole lot, because I just felt her a couple of times a day. I was thinking if I had to count 10 movements in 2 hours, it would really matter which 2 hours I picked. Now, I feel her a lot. These are strong movements too. Lots of these kicks really shake the belly and are totally visible to the outside. She also does some twisty or summersault type movements. They are kind of painful and put a whole lot of pressure on areas of my stomach. Yep, I'm going to need drugs for labor. It's nice though, I still love feeling her. Tonight she definately got my bladder. It wasn't so much a kick I felt as she was doing one of the big twisty movements and all the sudden I had to go NOW! I think I scared Eric because I was talking about how it kind of hurt how she was moving and then I just sprinted for the bathroom. The bellybutton is getting closer too. I'm not sure if it will pop, although I still have three months, but at the very least I think it will become entirely flat. It's just kind of interesting to watch it change shape. I can't really think of anything else. I still feel really good. No "bad" symptoms like excessive heartburn, consitpation, stretch marks, or anything. I've just got the good ones, round belly, baby kicking, and loving pregnancy.

The Baby
This week marks the beginning of your third trimester. Your baby now weighs a little more than 2 pouns, and crown-to-rump length is about 9.6 inches by this week. Total length is 15.3 inches.

If you haven’t already done so, make sure to register for a childbirth class this week. Childbirth classes are a great opportunity to share your experiences with other expectant couples, too.
Remember to count your fetal movements. Every fetus has its most active times (and often it’s late at night when you are trying to catch a few zzzzs!). During his active periods, your baby should move ten times an hour. Choose an hour, and mark each movement on a piece of paper. If your baby hasn’t moved ten times, drink some juice and count again for another hour. You should call your doctor if the baby hasn't moved at least ten times during any two hour stretch.
Growing, growing, growing! That wrinkly skin is filling out as the fat layers grow. Your baby's eyes are becoming sensitive to light, preparing to see after birth.

Your baby is really starting to fill up your uterus. This week he weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?

Your baby's skin is very wrinkled from floating in water. This will stay this way until a few weeks after birth as your newborn fills out into a baby. Although take heart in the fact that your baby's looks are assuming the looks that they will have at birth! Baby has also hit the 2 pound mark (900 grams).

The Mom
Your uterus is about 2.8 inches (7 cm) above your bellybutton. If measured from the pubic symphysis, it is more than 10.5 inches (27cm) from the pubic symphisis to the top of the uterus.

Are you terrified? At some point during pregnancy, virtually all pregnant women are. Your fears -- of delivery, failure as a parent, changing lives and relationships, finances, pain, and more -- are all common. Talking about them can help. Writing them in a journal can help, too. And sharing them with your partner (who is undoubtedly feeling some of the same fears) can aid you both as you work through these challenging times. Got an itchy belly? Your skin is stretched tight. Try not to scratch! Smooth on olive oil or evening primrose oil -- it DOES help!

Your body is gearing up for the final lap, so you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your uterus is putting extra demands on your circulation. (As your uterus expands, it puts pressure on the blood vessels that return blood from your legs to your heart and on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs.) Unfortunately, the cramps are likely to get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. Flexing your foot (by pointing your toes forward and then flexing them back toward your shins) stretches the calf and should give you some relief. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions before your baby arrives. And in some states, if you're considering a tubal ligation during your hospital stay, laws require that you sign a consent form at least a month before delivery day. (You can still change your mind later.)

Welcome to the third trimester! The home stretch! Around this time you will begin to really put on the weight, this will last until about week thirty-six. Although some cultures dictate otherwise, weight gained during pregnancy is not fat or unhealthy, but rather, necessary for a healthy pregnancy and baby. The weight that you gain will be distributed in several places. In the beginning of pregnancy you may have noticed that your breasts got larger. The average breast before pregnancy weighs about 7 ounces and during pregnancy each breast can weigh up to an average of 28 ounces! Some of the weight will go to body fluids (amniotic fluid, blood volume, etc.). Remember that your blood volume increase by 30-50% during pregnancy. And let's not forget the baby and the placenta! Add this to a few measly pounds put on as maternal fat stores, and you average about 25-30 pounds. The most important thing to remember is that a healthy diet is more important than what you gain. Some women will gain more, as in the case of women who were underweight to begin with, and those carrying multiple babies. While others will gain less. Pregnancy is not the time to go on a reducing diet. Even if you are overweight, reducing can actually harm the baby by burning your maternal fat stores sometimes toxins can be released that are harmful to the baby.