What may change in your body
Back pain, leg cramps, heartburn, tiredness and trouble sleeping are common. A feeling of heaviness in the pelvis may appear. Occasional, irregular contractions can happen, but a regular rhythm, pain, pelvic pressure or leaking fluid need to be checked.
Care for this week
Tell occasional discomfort apart from symptoms that keep repeating or get worse.
Take breaks and change positions.
Talk about work, commuting and ergonomics if your routine is getting heavy.
Prenatal care focus
- Get ready for the change in appointment frequency that usually happens from week 28 in low-risk prenatal care.
If you're expecting twins
Because preterm birth is more common with twins, the team may advise extra attention to contractions, the cervix and fetal growth.
For those by your side
Help recognize the signs that justify calling the care team instead of insisting on 'waiting to see'.
Questions for this week
Are contractions normal now?
Irregular tightening can occur, but contractions that are regular, painful or come with leaking fluid/bleeding need to be checked.
Can the baby open their eyes yet?
The eyelids are entering this stage of maturation, but that doesn't mean vision similar to a newborn's.
When to seek care
- Once movements have become familiar, a significant decrease in the pattern you notice should be evaluated without waiting until the next day.
- After 20 weeks, a severe/persistent headache, vision changes, severe pain in the upper abdomen or sudden swelling deserve evaluation for a possible hypertensive condition.
- Before term, regular contractions, increasing pelvic pressure or signs of labor need prompt advice.
In an emergency, go to the urgent care service in your area. This content does not replace a professional assessment.
The next chapter
In week 27, the second trimester comes to an end and the brain and lungs enter an even more intense stage of maturation.
See week 27Was this helpful?
Sources and transparency
- Brazil's Ministry of Health — Brazilian Pregnancy Booklet, the official prenatal record (Caderneta Brasileira, updated in 2026)
- Brazil's Ministry of Health — Prenatal care (Ministério da Saúde — Pré-natal)
- Brazil's Ministry of Health — High-Risk Pregnancy Manual — Multiple pregnancy (Manual de Gestação de Alto Risco — Gestação múltipla)
- NHS — Week-by-week guide to pregnancy
- ACOG — How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy
- Brazil's Ministry of Health — Prenatal tests and vaccines (Ministério da Saúde — Exames e vacinas no pré-natal)
- ACOG — Bleeding During Pregnancy
Nilu editorial content, written from the official sources above. Individual clinical review of each week is in progress — this text is for information and does not replace your prenatal care.