Your pregnancy week-by-week: Week 27

You are now 27 weeks pregnant or in your 28th week if that's how you're counting it

How is my baby growing?

Your baby's around 36cm long and weights 1lb 12oz.

It sleeps and wakes at regular intervals, opens and closes its eyes and sucks its thumb. The brain is active and some experts believe the baby may be able to dream.

How are you feeling?

You can feel breathless as the uterus gets closer to the ribcage, but this is perfectly normal.

You may have stretch marks now and other uncomfortable symptoms of later pregnancy including swollen ankles, leg cramps, varicose veins and piles.

Try eating your way back to comfort. For example, celery and watercress can help combat swollen ankles, high calcium snacks (such as cheese and yoghurt) can reduce leg cramp and red berries (including raspberries, blueberries and blackberries) can ease piles and varicose veins.

Top tips

Would you prefer a home or hospital birth, a birthing pool or an epidural?

It's time to start thinking about the birth, but keep your plans flexible. Discuss with your partner who will do what in those first few weeks and long nights - you're going to need lots of help.

Where to next?

- Pregnancy week-by-week home
- Guide to epidurals
- Where to give birth
- Your pregnancy week by week in 3D scan pictures
- Baby names - ideas and meanings
- Labour and birth

Choose your week

By Kate Corr