Pregnancy Week 26
What Are a Preemie’s Chances of Survival?
In week 27 of pregnancy, everything quite literally revolves around the bump: Your little one is becoming increasingly rotund and is tumbling around even more, while your baby bump continues to grow. To find out what else you need to do now, and why it might be a smart move to start thinking about a stroller, read on!
The fetus is around 15 inches long (crown to heel) and weighs approx. 2 lbs.
Your baby is continuing to put on weight and is building its fat reserves – this is particularly important for after the birth, as it takes some time for lactogenesis, or "milk production", to get going. Each week, your little one's weight will increase by around ½ a pound.
Your baby is now about the size of romaine lettuce.
Space in the uterus is becoming increasingly tight, although there remains sufficient room for the baby to turn and move. Babies don’t adopt the final birth position until later on. There is no need to worry if your child is in the upright position at the moment on an ultrasound.
Many organs are now fully developed – only the lungs need a bit more time before they are fully functional. Meanwhile, the baby's bone marrow is forming its own blood cells. In the brain, the characteristic furrows are starting to form in the previously smooth surface. This is a clear indication that brain development is significantly progressing.
As babies are still able to turn, you may also feel kicks in various places. These can be very painful, as baby’s muscles and bones are becoming much stronger.
If you are thinking about buying a new stroller, it's worth having a good look round for one. Depending on your requirements, buying a stroller can be as big of a challenge as buying a car – and some manufacturers' delivery times are also very long.
Which stroller is best?
As with many other things, the "perfect" choice depends on many individual circumstances and preferences.
Questions you can ask yourself to help you find the best model for your family include:
Regardless of your preferences, there is one thing you always need to pay attention to: Make sure the stroller is safe for your baby and made from non-toxic materials. There are various independent testing institutes who put different stroller models through their paces. It is best to ask a retailer about suitable models they would recommend or do some research on the Internet to find your favorite.