You are 27 Weeks Pregnant!

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH YOU

Perhaps right in the middle of a … a … achoo … excuse me, a sneeze, an embarrassing thing can happen — a bit of urine leaks out. “Stress incontinence” is very common in pregnancy; Urine can leak when coughing, laughing, exercising, changing positions, running to catch a bus or to catch up to your children. Due to the influence of hormones, and also to the compression of the bladder by the growing baby, you may develop this new symptom anytime during your pregnancy, but most commonly in your third trimester. Women who already given birth may find that they have this troublesome symptom more often than those having their first baby. The good news is that muscles which support the pelvic floor and surround the vagina and urethra can be strengthened, minimizing the occurrence of stress incontinence.

  • Kegel exercises that strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, helping support the bladder, can reduce this problem, while also helping to get those important muscles ready for giving birth.
  • To help identify the muscles involved, consider the muscles that you would use to stop your urine stream.
  • Practice slowly squeezing the same muscle throughout the day. Work up to 50 repetitions and hold the muscle tight for 8 to 10 seconds.
  • Practice these exercises with your partner when you’re making love. Your partner can tell you if your pelvic muscles are getting stronger and you may find this improves your orgasms!
  • After your baby is born, start doing Kegel exercises right away. Contracting muscles of the perineum can increase blood flow to the area to speed healing.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

Your baby is about 15 inches — head to toe. If someone puts his or her ear up to your belly, over the fetal back, your baby’s heartbeat will probably be distinguishable! Your baby will probably be very active between weeks 24 and 28. You may notice in the weeks to come that your baby will begin to have regular, predictable patterns of movement and sleep.

EATING FOR TWO

  • Gaining weight too fast? It may be time for a quick nutrition review! But before you do, realize that from now until about 36 weeks, it’s normal for you to gain weight at a slightly faster rate. If, however, you and your care provider are concerned about excessive weight gain, try to follow the servings outlined below, choosing healthy, lowfat foods. Don’t forget to consider portion size! Remember that one serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards.
  • Milk and dairy products: Three servings or more. An 8 ounce glass of skim milk, a cup of yogurt or 1 ounce of hard cheese all have about the same amount of calcium.
  • Whole grains, breads or cereals: At least five servings. Try whole-grain breads, granola or iron fortified cereals such as Total, Product 19 and Special K Plus.
  • Vegetables: Three or more servings. One cup of carrots equal a serving.
  • Fruits: At least two servings. A 1/2 cup of juice equals one serving but it is best to eat the fruit whole for its fiber content and for dental health.
  • Meat and substitutes: Two to three servings. Three ounces of fish can be a lean way to equal a serving. Beans such as navy, kidney and pinto, are excellent substitutes for meat.

FACT OF THE WEEK

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of blood infection and meningitis in newborns. Between 10 and 35 percent of women carry this bacteria within the vagina and/or the lower intestine. Most of the time, the bacteria does not cause any symptoms in the pregnant woman.

It is a different story in the newborn infant. Usually, babies are exposed to Group B Strep during labor and delivery, when they swallow or inhale the bacteria. There is also evidence that GBS may cross intact membranes to expose the baby while it is still in the womb. Exposure to GBS can cause life-threatening infection of the blood or infection of the fluid and lining surrounding the brain (meningitis). The majority of infections in newborns occur within the first week of life and most infections become evident in the baby’s first three months of life.

It is recommended that all women be routinely screened for GBS between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy by collecting a swab from the vagina and rectum.