By weeks 26 and 27, women enter their 7th month pregnancy. The fetus is maturing fast, and women continue to experience some of the newer signs of the third trimester, such as the Braxton hicks contractions, shift in body weight and a prominently visible baby bump.
What happens during week 26 of pregnancy?
During the seventh month of pregnancy, by week 26, the fetus measures more than 33cm long and weighs close to 900g. They are fast depositing a layer of fat under the skin and growing newer muscle tissue which makes them look more human as the weeks pass. The third-trimester baby movement is also more prominently felt by women as the fetus begins to respond to the sounds and light from outside the womb. They will also respond if the belly is touched or the hand is rubbed firmly over the tummy.
The lungs continue to develop but are not fully mature enough to sustain the fetus outside the uterus; however, they still have an 80% chance of surviving in the event they are born prematurely in a neonatal unit. In male fetuses, the testicles would have descended by week 26.
Women will find that the pregnant belly makes it harder to stay balanced as the center of gravity is constantly shifting. Some would take up a clumsy posture to counteract the weight and, in the process, strain their lower back muscles. This is often a common cause of pregnancy back pain. Standing straight with the shoulders back and frequent gentle exercises will keep the muscles strong and toned enough to avoid poor posture. The third trimester is also when a blood Rh type test is done to provide protection against the rhesus disease. Having different Rh types in the mother and the fetus would necessitate special injections around 26-28 weeks and again at 34 to 36 weeks to protect the fetus.
What happens during week 27 of pregnancy?
By week 27, the fetus weighs more than 900g and will be about 36cm long. Their muscles continue to develop, and the body looks proportionate for the first time. They will continue to put on more weight in the upcoming weeks. The skin also goes from being transparent to red and wrinkly while being covered with a waxy coating called vernix for protection. They respond well to sounds and touch and kick whenever someone tries to interact.
Women’s body continues to change to prepare for the growing nutritional and spatial needs of the fetus. Most women gain the bulk of their pregnancy weight during these weeks and continue until week 36. The pregnancy bump makes fine stretch lines appear on the skin of the abdomen, while increased fat under the skin makes stretch lines appear on the thighs and even the breasts. Women who are unvaccinated can get their whooping cough vaccination during week 27 to protect the newborn babies from serious disease. It is also a common experience that the third trimester Braxton hicks frequency increases as the weeks pass.
Wrapping Up
During the seventh month of pregnancy, women’s bodies change to adapt to the growing needs of the fetus. They gain more weight in preparation for the increased nutritional demand of the fetus. The fetus will now begin to gain weight as well and continue to put on until birth.
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