Week 27: Your pregnancy
Your baby's growth: She opens her eyes!
This week marks the beginning of the third trimester. And although your baby may not have grown much taller, she now weighs more than 2 pounds. Right now your baby looks like she will at birth, just a little thinner and smaller.
A big developmental change occurs as your baby's fused eyelids finally open. The lids have been closed since early pregnancy to protect the developing retina at the back of the eye. The retina is the part of the eye that receives light information and transmits the information to the brain for interpretation. The retina develops its normal layers during this week.
Other developmental changes include:
- Organs and systems. Lungs, liver, and immune system are still developing.
- Hearing. As hearing continues to develop, some scientists suggest your baby may start to recognize your voice, although sounds may be muffled because a waxy coating still covers the ears.
- Response to sound. This will become more pronounced as the development of the auditory nerve is completed.
- Brain. Her brain continues to grow and develop rapidly.
What's happening with you
- Loose hips. As your uterus has grown and you've gained more weight, your ligaments get looser in preparation for delivery, which can make your hips feel unstable or loose. This loosening and shifting may cause occasional sharp pains in your pelvic area that can get stronger with each successive pregnancy. It's important to move slowly and deliberately, and avoid sudden movements.
- Breathlessness. You may notice that it's getting increasingly hard to breathe as the uterus continues to expand near the rib cage, adding more pressure to your lungs. Getting a bit breathless is expected; still, you and your baby are getting all the oxygen you need.
- Memory and concentration issues. You may begin noticing changes in your behavior due to hormonal changes—and everything that's on your mind. For example you may have trouble concentrating, keeping track of belongings or remembering important things. You can help yourself to feel more in control by trying to minimize the stress in your life, getting plenty of rest and taking those brief memory lapses in stride.