My Pregnancy Week 27
Baby
Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring about 14.5 inches long, he weighs just about 2 lbs.
This week, his brain is developing quickly. His eyelids, which have remained closed up until this point, begin to open and now his retinas can begin to form. The retina contains specialized photoreceptor cells that respond to light, called rods and cones. Cones in particular help us perceive color.
His skin is still wrinkly but by 27 weeks, he basically looks how he will look when you give birth to him, in just a couple of months!
Mom
Congratulations! You are at the end of your second trimester!
How are you feeling? Muscle cramps in your legs may be more common as your pregnancy progresses. Not only are you carrying extra weight but slowed circulation and compressed nerves are adding to the problem. Going for a walk? Stretching your calves and asking your partner for a massage are all great ways to deal with these pesky cramps!
Did you know? - The average woman needs 15mg of iron a day but while you are pregnant you will need about twice that or 30 mg a day. Iron is essential for the production of the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to other cells. This protein is called hemoglobin.
When you're pregnant, you have about 50% more blood volume than usual. Therefore, you need more iron to make more hemoglobin. You also need extra iron for your baby and placenta. Below you will find some foods that are rich in iron.
- Red Meat
- Eggs
- Peas
- Dried Fruit
- Poultry
- Dark Leafy Greens
- Legumes
You may have heard that liver is a great source of iron but it also contains unsafe levels of vitamin A and should be avoided during pregnancy. Also, the iron in vegetables is best absorbed when foods rich in vitamin C are eaten in the same meal.
It may be hard to get enough iron from your diet alone. If you are worried that you aren't getting enough iron from your normal diet, you should ask your physician if an iron supplement may be right for you.
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