27 WEEKS PREGNANT

• Now that the baby-to-be is growing rapidly, it's harder to get a complete profile in the womb (your baby just doesn't fit in the picture anymore!).
• Even though he/she has more than tripled their weight since this trimester began, there's still plenty of growing left to do.
• This week marks the end of the 2nd trimester -- just one more trimester to go.

• Your little one measures up to 14 inches and a half this week and weighs almost 900 grams. This week, your baby's brain has reached the final stage of development and his/her brain is starting to show some activity.
• Last week we mentioned that your baby's eyes were finally fluttering open. Now, most babies can open their eyes wide open for the first time ever! This helps the baby figure out the difference between day and night.
• The other big news comes in the form of dreams. Yes, your baby now dreams and experiences Rapid Eye Movement (REM), while dreaming in sleep.
• While the placenta is almost fully developed, your baby is also accumulating a lot of fat under his/her skin. This fat insulates the baby against the cold and provides energy once after birth.
• Although your baby's heart is still beating at a crazy rate, this week shows a gradual slow down to 130 beats per minute in comparison to the previous 160 beats.
• As you have reached the last week of your second trimester, you should take a step back and think about just how far your baby has come.
• He/she has learned how to breathe (amniotic fluid though), is significantly grown, and finally has his/her eyes open too!
• If you sense some twitching inside your womb, it could be because of two things. He/she might be actually twitching in the sleep or could be hiccupping.

• Nasal congestion : Nasal congestion or that stuffy feeling inside the nostrils is a common symptom during pregnancy. Remember that your body is producing high levels of pregnancy hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which leads to a significant rise in blood flow through all mucous membranes. This, in turn, results in stuffiness in the nose, and even nosebleeds in some cases. Try saline sprays or nasal strips for some relief.
• Round ligament pain : Again, the growing belly is to be blamed for this symptom as well. All you can do to get some relief is relax and go easy on your chores.
• Protruding navel : Is your navel popping out? Don't worry, this is what happens around this time. You can just wait for it to go back after delivery. It could be a bit wider than earlier, but treat it as a reward for the tough test called pregnancy and be proud of it!
• Itchy stomach : Your stomach is all stretched now and this leads to some amount of dryness in the skin. Use a natural moisturizer and have a nice oil massage once in a while for some relief.
• Frequent urination : During pregnancy, the body undergoes a series of changes that result in increased blood flow through the kidneys. This, in turn, causes the bladder to fill up quickly, and thus, you feel the urge to urinate more often than normal. Empty your bladder every time you go and don't stop yourself from drinking water to prevent this.
• Lower back pain : What you may be facing is a symptom called Pelvic Girdle Pain. This is an umbrella term for all the pain happening in regions near the pelvic area. You may be in pain as your joints are not moving properly. This in turn strains your other joints and muscles. Try to relax, stretch and take frequent breaks from work.

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• We hope you are sticking to your diet and fitness plan and not indulging in any cheat-eating.
• As the weeks progress, it's very important to have small regular meals rather than large ones at a go.
• Even though you feel a bit bloated and you are all swollen, do not cut down on your fluid intake.
• In fact, drinking enough water can sometimes help decrease the swelling.