Your Nutrient of This Week

How to add fiber to your pregnancy diet?
It’s best to increase your fiber intake gradually, so your body can adjust. Add fiber slowly and throughout six small meals or snacks a day.

You can find fiber in a variety of foods. Experts say that the type of fiber you eat is less important than making sure you get enough overall. However, getting fiber from natural food sources is always best. Try eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes to add a mix of various fibers, as well as a wide range of nutrients to your diet.

To find out more click here.

Your Wellness Tips This Week

Make exercise fun and social
By now, you’ve probably met many other pregnant women at the gym, at childbirth classes, and at work. Consider meeting with other expecting moms for a walk.

Your Baby's Development at Week 27^{2, 3}

Your baby gets very active when you are 27 weeks pregnant. Discover the other changes she’s going through:

• At 27 weeks pregnant, your baby weighs almost 1 kg, and is about the length of a head of broccoli.
• Her lungs, liver, and immune and nervous system keep maturing.
• She may know your voice and your partner’s voice.
• During the 27th week of pregnancy, your baby is as much as four times longer than she was during the 12th week of pregnancy.

Your Changing Body at Week 27

At 27 weeks pregnant, you’re nearing the end of your second trimester. Your body probably will start experiencing changes to help you get ready for childbirth:

• Your urine flow may be slow. Use the bathroom often and speak with your doctor if you are concerned about a urinary tract infection.⁴
• You may continue to have a thin, white, odourless vaginal discharge. Talk to your doctor if it’s heavy, green, yellow, or strong-smelling. You may have a vaginal infection, which can be treated during pregnancy.
• Braxton-Hicks contractions (false labour) continue.
• Ligaments in your pelvic area soften to get ready for delivery.
• You may experience back pain.

Learn the signs of preterm labor
At 27 weeks pregnant, you’re nearing the end of your second trimester. Your body probably will start experiencing changes to help you get ready for childbirth:

• Your urine flow may be slow. Use the bathroom often and speak with your doctor if you are concerned about a urinary tract infection.
• You may continue to have a thin, white, odourless vaginal discharge. Talk to your doctor if it’s heavy, green, yellow, or strong-smelling. You may have a vaginal infection, which can be treated during pregnancy.
• Braxton-Hicks contractions (false labour) continue.
• Ligaments in your pelvic area soften to get ready for delivery.
• You may experience back pain.

Learn the signs of preterm labor⁵
Preterm labor is when contractions start before the 37th week of pregnancy. Some signs of preterm labor include:

• Contractions that feel different than Braxton Hicks
• Contractions that occur at regular intervals, that are consistent, or that become more intense
• Contractions with lower back pain, cramps, or other pain
• Changes in your vaginal discharge that include spotting or bleeding
• Water from your vagina

If you experience symptoms of preterm labor, call your doctor.

References:

¹ Pretorius RA and Palmer DJ. Nutrients. 2021 Jan; 13(1): 35. DOI: 10.3390/nu13010035
² Verywellfamily. Week 27 of your pregnancy. Available [Online] at: https://www.verywellfamily.com/27-weeks-pregnant-4159102. Accessed on 26 August 2023.
³ ACOG. How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy. Available [Online] at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancy. Accessed on 26 August 2023.S
⁴ Healthline. What is urinary stasis? Available [Online] at: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/urinary-stasis-pregnancy. Accessed on 28 August 2023.
⁵ Herbst A, Nilsson C. Diagnosis of early preterm labour. BJOG 2006;113(Suppl. 3):60–67.
* Comparison among all maternal milk in Singapore as of January 2022, as declared on the label.

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