Mom, this is the 27th week of your pregnancy! Let's find out the details of the baby? (Pregnancy Week 27)

Hello dear mom! You have reached a very important milestone in your pregnancy. It is the third trimester, that is, the first week of the last three months of pregnancy! In about three months, your little one will be sleeping soundly in your arms. At this time, you must be feeling a lot of joy, a little impatience, and maybe a little fear, right? That is very normal, mom. Today, let's talk about the amazing development of the little one inside your womb in this 27th week.

Does the baby look like a little person now?

Yes, mom, your baby has grown so much that you can't even imagine! By this week, he looks almost the same as when he came into this world. Like a little doll, but very delicate and beautifully shaped. However, he is still a little thin and small. The reason for this is that the baby's body fat has started to accumulate little by little. It was in the previous weeks that he grew so much, and his milk became milky and beautiful. So don't worry about anything now that the baby is thin, right? That's very normal at this time. His eyelids and eyebrows are now clearly visible. Sometimes the baby may even open and close his eyes.

What's going on inside the baby these days?

While the outside is shaping up beautifully, very important and complex things are happening inside the baby's body. He is slowly preparing to enter this world.

Lungs are still in the process of maturation (Lungs Maturation)

Your baby's lungs are not yet fully developed, mom. They are maturing little by little, day by day. Think of it like two little balloons. In order for those balloons to inflate well and fill with air, there has to be something special inside them, right? That's how a baby's lungs are. When he comes into this world, he is still developing the strength and ability to breathe on his own. For that, a special substance called `(Surfactant)` needs to be produced in the lungs. This is a very important substance. This is what keeps the lungs functioning properly and not getting clogged when breathing. So, this `(Surfactant)` production continues this week as well. That is why it is very good for the baby to stay in the womb for a while longer.

The liver and immune system are also preparing.

Like the lungs, the baby's liver and immune system are not yet fully developed. These are other important organs in the baby's body.

• Liver: The liver does many important things in the body, such as removing waste products, storing nutrients, and purifying the blood. The baby's liver is still learning these tasks.
• Immune System: This is the body's defense system. It protects us from diseases and germs. The baby's immune system is still developing. The protective proteins that you give him to protect him from diseases, that is, ``Antibodies,'' are very important at this time. That is why it is very important for the mother to eat nutritious food and be careful of diseases during pregnancy.

All of these senses develop gradually and naturally, so there is no reason to worry.

What if the baby is born prematurely? (Premature Birth at 27 Weeks)

This is a question that many mothers wonder, and perhaps even a little fear. "What will happen to my baby if he is born this week?" You may be wondering. The good news is, moms, if your baby decides to come into this world by this 27th week, even if it is by chance, the chances of survival are very high . In fact, with the advancements in medical science today, that chance is more than 90 percent. Isn't that a big deal?

However, if that happens, the baby will need special medical care. Because, as mentioned earlier, the lungs are not yet fully developed, they may need help with breathing, such as a ``Ventilator''. They may also need help with controlling body temperature and drinking some milk. There are special units in hospitals to care for babies born at such low birth weight. We call them ``Neonatal Intensive Care Unit'' or ``NICU''. That means "Neonatal Intensive Care Unit". The doctors and nurses there will take very good care of the baby.

But mom, we all hope that every baby is born full term, meaning between 37 and 40 weeks, inside the mother's womb, and comes into this world healthy. That's what's best for the baby. So take good care of your health.

Can the baby hear your voice now? What is that white thing on its body?

Yes, Mom! This is a very sweet thing. Your baby's auditory system, that is, the ability to hear, is very developed by now. Isn't it amazing? He can now recognize your voice very well. When you talk, when you hum a song, he may even respond to it, perhaps with a little movement, a shake. Not only your voice, but also that of your husband, that is, the baby's father, is gradually getting used to him. And he can even hear the voices of other people in the house.

So, talk to your baby often . Tell him beautiful stories, sing songs, tell him about your day. These things will strengthen the bond between you and your baby. This is also said to be good for the baby's brain development.

However, his hearing is muffled, as if he were hearing from underwater. There are two main reasons for this. One is that the baby is in a liquid called ``Amniotic Fluid``. The other is that the inside of the baby's ears, and perhaps the earlobes, are still covered in a thick, waxy coating called ``Vernix``.

What is Vernix Caseosa?

Simply put, `(Vernix Caseosa)` is a natural coating that protects the baby's delicate skin. It is white, cheese-like, and a bit like thick cream. The baby spends months in a liquid called `(Amniotic Fluid). Just like our fingers shrink and become brittle when we stay in the water for too long while bathing, the baby's very delicate skin can also be affected by that liquid in the long run. This coating called `(Vernix)` is there all over the baby's body to protect it.

There are several benefits to this:

• Skin protection: Prevents the baby's skin from drying out, cracking, and becoming damaged by amniotic fluid.
• Temperature control: It also helps to control the baby's body temperature to some extent.
• Easy childbirth: When the baby is born, this slippery coating helps the baby pass through the birth canal more easily.
• Protection from infections: Some studies suggest that this `(Vernix)` also has some antibacterial properties.

So this `(Vernix)` is a very important, natural thing. In the past, sometimes the baby would wash it off after it was born. But now doctors say it's better to leave it on the baby for a while.

Mom, how are you doing this week?

As your baby grows, your body will feel it too. You may feel a little tired, your back may ache, your legs may swell. You may also find it difficult to breathe, as your growing uterus presses on your lungs. These things are mostly normal. However, if you have any unbearable discomfort, definitely see your doctor. Drink plenty of water, eat nutritious foods, and do as much light exercise as possible. It is also very important to get plenty of rest .

So, what are the things to remember about this week?

Okay, Mom, we talked about a lot about week 27, didn't we? It must be hard to keep all of this in your mind. So here are a few things to remember in a nutshell:

• Your baby looks like a little person now, but he's still a little skinny. That's normal at this age, he'll grow up in the future.
• The baby's vital organs, such as its lungs, liver, and immune system , are not yet fully mature , and they are still developing.
• If the baby is born this week, even if it is born suddenly, there is a very good chance that it will survive under medical care.
• Your baby can hear and recognize your voice very well. So talk to him often, sing songs to him . It's good for the bond between you two, as well as for the baby's development.
• The white, waxy coating called ``Vernix'' on the baby's body acts as a natural shield that protects its delicate skin .

The most important thing is that you stay happy, healthy, and mentally relaxed during this time. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly, attend your clinics on time. If you have any questions or doubts, never be afraid to ask the doctor. Only if you are healthy, the baby will grow healthy inside the womb. There are only a few more days left to hold your little one! So enjoy this journey.

` Pregnancy, 27 weeks, baby development, third trimester, preterm birth, vernix caseosa, fetal hearing