Your fetus weighs more than 1.3 pounds/ 600 grams. Though she still has little body fat and her skin is thin and fragile, she's now well-proportioned. Her brain is growing rapidly, and she is starting to fill the space in your uterus. From crown to heel she could measure 11.8 inches/ 30 centimeters. If you went into labour at this time, however, many obstetricians and doctors would make every effort to halt the progress of premature labour to enable your baby to continue maturing. You may be noticing faint, red or brown streaks known as striae or stretchmarks on your abdomen, hips and breasts. While creams won't erase them, wearing a supportive bra may help prevent or minimise them on your breasts. They are very common at this stage of the pregnancy - about 90 per cent of women get them. After you've given birth, the reddish or brown pigmentation in the stretchmarks gradually fades, and the streaks become lighter than the surrounding skin. Also, your eyes may be light-sensitive and may feel gritty and dry. This is a perfectly normal pregnancy symptom known as “dry-eye”. To ease your discomfort, use an “artificial tears” solution to add moisture. A healthy diet is still important at this stage of pregnancy, so visit our eating well section for weeks 25-28.
