Welcome to the last week of the second trimester. At 27 weeks the finish line still feels far off, yet the baby is doing real groundwork for life outside the womb.
At 27 weeks, your baby is roughly the size of a head of cauliflower, around 36.6cm from head to heel.1
What's happening at 27 weeks
The lungs reach a meaningful point now. They're capable of breathing as the organs continue to mature.1
Fat is also building under the skin, filling out areas that were wrinkled before. The baby is starting to look rounder and more finished.1
What's common around week 27
Feeling bloated and constipated is common this far along.1 Pregnancy slows digestion down, and a growing baby leaves less room, so things can feel sluggish.
This tends to vary day to day. Your midwife or doctor is who to ask if it's persistent or you'd like guidance suited to you.
Start your baby-essentials list
The third-trimester tiredness hasn't fully landed yet, which makes this a smart week to start the baby-essentials list. Sketch out what you'll need in the first weeks: somewhere for the baby to sleep, a way to get them home in the car, feeding gear, and a stack of the basics.
Keeping it as a running list means you can add to it whenever something comes to mind, rather than facing one big shopping marathon later.
It's also a natural moment to set up nappi. Build the baby profile with the due date now, invite your partner, and you'll both share the same record the day the baby arrives. Our resources cover what to expect once you're home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the baby at 27 weeks?
About 36.6cm from head to heel, roughly a head of cauliflower.1 The baby keeps gaining length and weight through the third trimester.
Are the baby's lungs developed at 27 weeks?
The lungs are capable of breathing around 27 weeks as the organs mature, and fat is filling out the previously wrinkled skin.1
References
1. NHS. "You and your baby at 27 weeks pregnant." Link