27 weeks pregnant: breathlessness and anti-D if you're rhesus negative

At 27 weeks pregnant you may find yourself short of breath, KKH says. For now it's your body's higher oxygen demand; soon your growing womb will press up against your diaphragm too. That kind of breathlessness is normal. The sudden kind, with chest pain or fever, needs help immediately.

When breathlessness is an emergency

Seek help immediately if breathlessness comes on suddenly and you have chest pain when you breathe, or a fever. KKH says doctors need to rule out a blood clot in the lungs or a chest infection.

Your baby at 27 weeks

• Fingerprints are fully formed.
• Brain tissue is growing, forming grooves called sulci.
• Hearing is sharper, and your baby recognises deeper voices and patterns of speech more easily.
• By the end of this trimester, HealthXchange says, your baby is about 23cm long and weighs about 800g, and can open the eyes.

Movements matter more from now. KKH says that by about week 27 the kicks become more constant and easier to keep track of, and few or no movements means seeking medical advice straight away. KKH's count-to-ten chart is one way to keep track: starting at 9am, tick each movement on the chart, and call your doctor immediately if your baby makes fewer than 10 movements a day on two days in a row.

If you're rhesus negative

If your blood group has a minus, such as O-, you'll be offered anti-D injections at 28 and 34 weeks and after delivery, HealthHub says. They stop your body making antibodies if your baby is rhesus positive, which protects future babies from a serious blood condition. KKH's timeline lists the first injection at week 28, so check your appointment is booked.

What's due in Singapore at 27 weeks

When to go to the hospital

Sudden breathlessness with chest pain or fever, fewer movements than usual, regular or painful tightening, leaking fluid, bleeding, or pre-eclampsia signs need the hospital now.

From 22 weeks on, KKH sends leaking fluid, bleeding and labour signs to its Delivery Suite, Level 2 of the Women's Tower. NUH's is Ward 22 on Level 2 of the Main Building. Save your own hospital's delivery suite number in your phone now, so nobody has to look it up in a rush.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to be breathless at 27 weeks pregnant?

Yes, KKH says it's very common. Sudden breathlessness with chest pain or fever is not, and needs help immediately.

When is anti-D given in Singapore?

At 28 and 34 weeks and after delivery, for rhesus-negative mums, HealthHub says.

How many kicks should I feel at 27 weeks?

KKH gives no fixed number, but its count-to-ten chart says to call your doctor if your baby moves fewer than 10 times a day on two days in a row.

27 weeks pregnant is how many months?

About six months, counted from the first day of your last period.

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