27 Weeks Pregnant with Twins – Symptoms, Baby Development and Complications

Being 27 weeks pregnant with twins can feel exciting, exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming all at once. Your twins are growing rapidly, while your body is working harder to support two little ones. You may experience increased tiredness, backache, swelling, heartburn, or other pregnancy discomforts as your bump continues to grow. At this stage, your babies’ organs, including their lungs and brain, are still developing and maturing. From now on, you will need to be more vigilant as this is the final phase of your pregnancy. The initial month of the last trimester holds the key responsibilities to ensure that your tiny twins or triplets stay safe and secure. A twin pregnancy or one with triplets needs to be given some more attention than usual.

Growth of the Babies at 27 Weeks

By the beginning of the 27th week of pregnancy, the physical development of your babies will be progressing the way it was in the earlier weeks, but their awareness levels are taking on a new page altogether. Do you remember the phase when your babies rested quietly in your womb with their occasional movements? Well, that would seem like a thing way in the past now!

• Their eyesight will improve, and their sensitivity towards the light as well as sounds within the body and from the outside will increase tremendously. This begins to manifest in such substantial ways that if the babies wish to sleep and you are outside in the daylight, they would choose to turn around in your womb and face the other direction to sleep peacefully.
• Many babies will have their genitals developed around this time, while in other babies, it might be in progress as of yet.
• The testicles in male babies begin to descend gradually, as the growth of the scrotal sac begins to reach a size that can hold the testes together. Similarly, the clitoris of the female babies initiates its growth around this time.

For mothers who are pregnant with twins or multiples, the size of their babies would always be a cause of worry, since most of the references that you’d come across would be about women who are pregnant with a single child. The weight and height of multiples are generally less than those of an only child, and this is a well-observed and accepted medical fact. These little ones will catch up pretty soon once they are out in the real world. A proper diet will make it easier for babies to achieve this. Now that their suckling tendencies are getting stronger as well, with thumb sucking being their favourite activity, a proper breastfeeding schedule will support their growth later on.

What Is the Size of the Babies?

By the 27th week of your pregnancy, your little ones will be as large as a cauliflower (1). Single babies are usually 900 grams in weight and their height is around 37 centimetres. However, multiple babies may weigh less.

Common Bodily Changes

When pregnant with twins at 27 weeks, your body begins to show numerous body signs that will make you fully aware of the third trimester’s onset (2).

• The pain that plagues the body will begin to spread across many other sections, due to the increased uterine size and body weight. Your thighs and leg joints will bear most of it since all the weight of the babies will have to be carried by them. Combined with the pushing of internal organs and the shifting of the centre of gravity, the pain in the back and lower hip will take a new form altogether.

• The stomach and intestines will have a hard time together since they are being constricted for space. You can prepare yourself for increased bouts of indigestion and sensations of feeling bloated, as there might even be instances where acid reflux rises to your throat. You might have to adjust your dietary schedule further to keep this in check.

• Your heart will pump immense amounts of blood to the uterus as well as other sections of the body. Your face receives a huge side effect of this increased circulation, leading to sensitive gums, nostrils and throat. While you may experience bleeding in your gums when you brush your teeth, there might be occasional instances of bleeding through your nose, or a constant stuffy feeling, combined with a throat that’s extremely sore.

• Hormonal fluctuations reach their peak this week, and you may have a problem with sleeping and you may also get weird dreams. Some women also tend to experience hot flashes or sudden chills in the day. In any case, it is best to get a doctor to take a look if this tends to get severe.

Symptoms of Twin Pregnancy at 27 Weeks

When you have already completed 27 weeks of your pregnancy, you honestly do not need further signs to understand that you are pregnant. Yet, your body will keep throwing up symptoms that you need to get used to:

• As the third trimester starts, you will get false alarms for labour. These tiny contractions, known as Braxton Hicks, will occur randomly and fade away in a few minutes. While these are fine, any specific frequency or increase in the pain should be brought to your doctor’s notice immediately.

• The constant passing of gas and acid reflux will also be frequent because of the internal uterine pressure. The babies inside can put a lot of weight on the intestine, resulting in increased bouts of constipation this week. Also, the hormones in action affect the intestines, making them sluggish, which leads to constipation. If you have haemorrhoids, it can get really difficult for you!

• Your body can only allow so much space for the babies in your womb before it needs to push things around and compromise with itself. As a result, your diaphragm and lungs will struggle with tiny space. A consequence of it is the failure of these organs to expand as much as they used to, leading to smaller intakes of breath.

• Out of all the organs, your bladder will bear most of the pressure. By this stage, your bladder control will be out of toss, causing you to pee a little every time you sneeze, laugh, or put any pressure. Frequent loo visits are your only way out.

Complications of Twin Pregnancy at 27 Weeks

As your body adapts to support the growth of multiple babies, you may encounter various challenges. The likelihood of a miscarriage in the initial trimester rises, and there’s an increased risk of common pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Additionally, a twin pregnancy raises the chances of needing a caesarean section and experiencing a premature birth (3).

According to a study, twins at 27 weeks’ gestation have a significantly higher risk of intraventricular haemorrhage and neonatal death compared to singletons (4).

Twin Pregnancy – Belly at 27 Weeks

If you are one of those women who are lucky not to experience numerous irritating symptoms of your pregnancy, rest assured your stomach will do its job in making you realise how far into the pregnancy you genuinely are. Your babies’ growth continues unabated as they gain weight. Your weight will increase too, which will be reflected in the increase in your belly size. Some women may feel a point of stress or pressure around their tummy.

Twin Pregnancy at 27 Weeks – Ultrasound

Regular and frequent ultrasounds would usually begin in the coming weeks, and your doctor won’t ask you to have one at the 27th week of pregnancy unless there is a need to investigate any particular condition. There’s nothing much the 27 weeks pregnant with twins pictures will reveal, except for the babies sleeping soundly while sucking their thumbs intermittently.

What to Eat?

It is advised that you follow your previous week’s diet this week as well. Just remember that the key to a healthy pregnancy is healthy eating habits. Ensure that your meal portions are small and frequent, as it will reduce the chances of indigestion. Start your day with a carbohydrate-rich breakfast, while the rest of the meals should have copious quantities of calcium and iron. Try to eat yoghurt regularly. Drinking water or homemade fruit juices without any added sugar would serve you well.

Pregnancy Care Tips

Take good care of your body and prepare yourself for the third trimester with a few tips mentioned below.

Dos

• Discuss with your doctor the checkups that will be conducted with the ultrasound.
• Prepare yourself for the possibility of a premature delivery.
• Continue your pelvic floor exercises. If you haven’t started, it is a great time to start (5).

Don’ts

• Do not ignore your dental hygiene even if you experience bleeding gums.
• Refrain from scratching your belly as much as possible.

What You Need to Shop For?

Soon your babies will be out in the real world, and you need to be prepared to take care of them in the best possible way. So, here is what you need to buy for your babies:

• A pram with seats for multiple babies.
• A large diaper bag with various compartments.

When to Consult a Doctor?

You must consult your doctor if:

• Severe or persistent abdominal pain or cramping at 27 weeks pregnant with twins
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Sudden or severe swelling in hands, face, or legs
• Significant changes in fetal movement or a sudden decrease in movement
• Signs of premature labour, such as regular contractions before 37 weeks
• Any unusual or concerning symptoms, such as dizziness, severe headaches, or difficulty breathing

FAQs

1. How many months are 27 weeks pregnant?

At 27 weeks with twins, you are six months pregnant.

2. What is the weight of twins at 27 weeks?

At 27 weeks of gestation, the average weight of each twin is approximately 2 pounds (907 grams) or more. Keep in mind that this is an average, and individual weights can vary.

3. Is it normal to feel extremely tired at 27 weeks pregnant with twins?

Yes. Carrying two babies can make pregnancy fatigue more noticeable (6). But sudden or severe tiredness should be reported to your doctor at your next pregnancy appointment, particularly because twin pregnancies have a higher risk of anaemia (7).

4. What is the survival rate of twins born at 27 weeks?

The survival rate for twins born at 27 weeks is generally around 80% to 90% in modern neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), as organs like the lungs and brain are mature enough to get support from advanced medical care. However, they are still very premature and need significant support for breathing, feeding and other immature body functions (8).

5. What should I do if I notice less movement from one or both babies?

Do not wait for your next appointment. Contact your doctor promptly if your babies’ usual movement pattern changes or you are concerned about reduced movement.

Carrying twins at 27 weeks in the womb would have already instilled you with confidence that you can very well hold them safely until delivery. Keep this confidence alive and maintain your physical and mental strength to see yourself through the final trimester with ease and happiness.

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Next Week: Twin Pregnancy Week 28

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Sources References

1. UnityPoint Health – Pregnancy: What to Expect in Your Third Trimester (Week 27 – End of Pregnancy)

2. NHS – Week 27

3. Mayo Clinic – Twin pregnancy: Getting ready for twins or multiples

4. AJOG – Twins 27 weeks gestation have significantly higher risk of intraventricular hemorrhage and neonatal death compared to singletons

5. Tommy’s – 27 weeks pregnant: baby’s development, your pelvic floor and trusting your instincts

6. Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust – Multiple Pregnancy (Twins and Triplets)

7. NHS – Antenatal care with twins

8. Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – NICU – Development Care