Our Baby Journey27 weeks pregnant
27 weeks pregnant is about 6 months. It falls in the sixth month of pregnancy. You are in week 27 of 40, in the second trimester. Here is what is happening with your baby and your body this week.
Your baby is about the size of a cabbage.
Length: about 36.6 cm (14.4 in) from crown to heel · Weight: about 875 g (1.9 lb)
Your baby at 27 weeks
The brain is very active. The baby may get hiccups, which you might feel as rhythmic movements.
Your baby's brain is very active this week. Brain tissue continues to develop, and the surface is beginning to form the folds and grooves that allow it to hold many more nerve cells. Your baby may now have more distinct periods of activity and rest, and may even get hiccups, which feel like small, rhythmic jerks.
The lungs, liver, and immune system are continuing to mature. Your baby is filling out as more fat is stored under the skin, which will help control body temperature after birth.
Your baby is now large enough that you may sometimes be able to tell which part is which, such as a foot pushing against your side. Many babies change position frequently at this stage, because there is still plenty of room to move. Babies are often head-up or sideways now, and many turn head-down later in pregnancy.
Your body at 27 weeks
This is the last week of the second trimester. You may feel more tired again.
As you approach the end of the second trimester, tiredness may return. Your body is working hard to support a rapidly growing baby, and discomfort can make it harder to sleep well. Your uterus is pressing on your diaphragm and stomach, which can cause heartburn and some breathlessness. Swelling in your feet and ankles may be more noticeable, particularly in the evening. Some people also start to feel more aware of the approaching birth, which can bring a mix of excitement and worry. Taking time to rest and plan can help.
Your belly at week 27
In month 6 (weeks 23–27) your bump keeps growing forward and upward, and the top of the uterus is now above your belly button. Fundal height is usually around 23–27 cm, close to the number of weeks.
Belly size and shape vary a lot depending on your build, whether this is your first pregnancy, your baby's position and the amount of amniotic fluid. At checkups your doctor or midwife may measure your fundal height to track your baby's growth, and may arrange an ultrasound if the measurement is quite different from what they expect.
Symptoms at 27 weeks pregnant
- Returning fatigue
- Feeling your baby's hiccups as rhythmic movements
- Shortness of breath with exertion
- Swollen feet and ankles by evening
- Heartburn
- Back and pelvic discomfort
Checkups around week 27
Many countries offer the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine during pregnancy. In the US, Tdap is usually recommended between 27 and 36 weeks, while in the UK it is offered from around 16 weeks and ideally by 32 weeks. You may also be offered other vaccines, such as flu or RSV, depending on the season and local guidance. If you have not had your glucose screening, it is usually done by 28 weeks.
Tips for week 27
- Ask your provider about the Tdap (whooping cough) vaccine, usually given at 27–36 weeks.
- Start learning your baby's movement patterns.
- Rest whenever you can.
Common symptoms in the second trimester
The second trimester runs from week 14 to week 27. Nausea often eases, energy returns, your bump starts to show, and you will begin to feel your baby move. Not everyone has every symptom, and it is normal for symptoms to come and go. Common ones include:
- A growing bump and weight gain
- First baby movements, usually felt between weeks 16 and 25
- Round ligament pain (sharp pains low in the belly or groin)
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Back ache
- A blocked nose or nosebleeds
- Leg cramps
- Skin changes such as a dark line on the belly or darker patches on the face
Read the full second trimester guide.
When to call your doctor or midwife
Contact your healthcare provider or maternity unit straight away, or get emergency care, if you have:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain or cramping
- A severe headache, blurred vision, or sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet
- A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
- Fluid leaking from your vagina
- Severe vomiting where you cannot keep fluids down
- Your baby moving less than usual or a change in their pattern of movements (later in pregnancy)
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Feeling very low, anxious, or having thoughts of harming yourself
Have a question about week 27?
Ask our AI pregnancy assistant about symptoms, nutrition, scans or anything else on your mind this week.
Frequently asked questions
How big is my baby at 27 weeks pregnant?
At 27 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a cabbage. That is about 36.6 cm (14.4 in) from crown to heel, weighing about 875 g (1.9 lb).
How big is my belly at week 27 of pregnancy?
In month 6 (weeks 23–27) your bump keeps growing forward and upward, and the top of the uterus is now above your belly button. Fundal height is usually around 23–27 cm, close to the number of weeks. Bump size, shape and when you start to show vary a lot from person to person.
Why should I get the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy?
Whooping cough can be very serious for newborns, who are too young to be fully protected by their own vaccines in the first months of life. When you get vaccinated during pregnancy, your body makes antibodies that pass to your baby through the placenta. This gives your baby protection from birth. The vaccine is recommended in every pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or midwife about the best timing for you.
How do I know if my baby has hiccups?
Baby hiccups usually feel like small, regular jerks or twitches in one area of your belly, repeating at a steady rhythm for a few minutes or longer. They feel different from kicks, which are less regular. Hiccups are a normal part of development and are thought to be related to the baby practicing breathing movements. They are not a cause for concern.
Is 27 weeks the start of the third trimester?
Definitions vary slightly. Many sources count the third trimester as starting at week 28, while others begin it at week 27. Either way, you are at the transition between the second and third trimesters. From this point, your prenatal appointments may become more frequent, and you will be encouraged to pay close attention to your baby's movements.
What trimester is 27 weeks pregnant?
Week 27 is in the second trimester, which covers weeks 14 to 27.
How many months is 27 weeks pregnant?
27 weeks pregnant is about 6 months. It falls in the sixth month of pregnancy. The sixth month covers weeks 23 to 27. Pregnancy is about 40 weeks, or roughly 9 months, counted from the first day of your last period.
This page is general educational information and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or midwife. Every pregnancy is different, and baby sizes are approximate averages. Last updated 2026-11-07. See our medical disclaimer.