What’s happening to the mother in week 27 and 28?
During these weeks, it is common to get stretch marks, pigment spots and a dark pigment strip in the middle of the belly. This will probably disappear or fade after birth. The nipples and the area around them may also become darker.
Many people may experience changes in the skin, such as red dots on the face, upper arms and upper body. This is due to changes in the blood vessels, and will disappear after pregnancy.
Many people experience an increased need for sleep from now on and throughout the rest of their pregnancy. It is common to wake up several times during the night, and many need short rests during the day. Increased fetal movements and changes in the body due to pregnancy can affect the quality of your sleep. It is important that you rest when you can.
Development of the foetus
By now, the foetus is about 36 cm long and weighs around 1,000 grams, but both length and weight can vary from pregnancy to pregnancy.
Around this time, the foetus may start to open its eyes for the first time. Vision gradually develops throughout the rest of the pregnancy and after birth.
During this period, some foetuses will be oriented with their head down inside the pelvis. This seems to be most common in first-time mothers. If the foetus is not yet lying in the head-first position, there is still a possibility that it may turn later on during the pregnancy.