You are now 27 weeks pregnant which is the beginning of week 28. Your baby is about 37cm long (or 14.8 inches) and weighs about 1,100 grams (or 2lb 7 oz). Many babies of this gestation like to lie in a breech position(or bottom down, head up). For most women , the uterus will now encroach on their ribcage and lungs, often causing breathlessness, even while just sitting and talking.

Your baby is now developing their immune system, as your natural antibodies pass to them through the placenta. They are now capable of starting to coordinate their 'suck and swallow' action that will be needed for them to drink milk after being born. However, this reflex is not fully mature until 32 to 34 weeks. Your baby may look around and is capable of distinguishing light from dark and tracking movement.

Babies born at 28 weeks or less are regarded as 'extremely premature'. However, only 9% of all premature babies are born at less than 28 weeks gestation. In recent years, modern advances in technology have increased the health and survival rates of babies born this early. Babies born at around 27 to 28 weeks gestation have about a 75 to 85% chance of survival, if they have access to specialised care and a fully equipped intensive care nursery.

You may want to continue following the journey of your unborn baby's development by going to baby's development - weeks 29 to 42.


Information sources