Pregnancy Week 28
What to expect when you’re 28 weeks pregnant
Baby development at 28 weeks pregnant
Welcome to the third trimester! This week, you may be feeling tired as a result of being unable to get a full night of rest. Your baby is working on getting into the right position.
Your 28 week baby now measures 14.25 inches long (362 millimeters). Your baby is now the size of an iPhone X.
Baby’s brain is growing at a rapid pace, and they are now adding fat stores under their skin. Your little one is also preparing to get in the right position for birth, which is head down. Baby can now open and close their eyes and is practicing coughing, sucking and swallowing. You might even feel their little hiccups from time to time. (Adorable!)
Week 28 pregnant belly
You should gain roughly a pound a week during the third trimester. During your entire pregnancy, your total weight gain should be 25 to 35 pounds. If you feel you are gaining too much or too little weight at this point in your pregnancy, be sure to consult with your physician to make sure you are on the right track.
Your body is getting more and more crowded as the baby continues to grow, which can lead to new pregnancy symptoms or a worsening of pregnancy symptoms you’re already experiencing.
Common pregnancy symptoms at 28 weeks
During the third trimester, you and baby still have a bit more growing to do. In the coming weeks, you may find you are easily getting tired — and for good reasons. Your body is working harder than ever to support your little one’s growth. During this time, try to keep moving and maintain your exercise routine. Resting, staying hydrated and practicing self-care are also essential as you prepare to meet your baby.
- Shortness of breath: As your uterus expands, your abdominal organs are adding some pressure to your lungs, which makes it harder to take full breaths. Try standing upright to give your lungs some more room.
- Frequent urination: If you experienced a sudden increase in bathroom trips in the beginning of pregnancy, you might have seen it taper off. In the 28th week of pregnancy, this symptom may be returning. Your growing baby and uterus are crowding your insides and putting pressure on your bladder.
- Backaches: The bigger your baby gets, the more your back may begin to ache. Watch your posture — slouching can make back pain worse.
- Itchy belly: Skin around your belly becomes thinner and more sensitive throughout pregnancy. Itchy skin can be a side effect of this increased sensitivity.
- Restless leg syndrome: Over one-third of pregnant women report having restless leg syndrome (RLS), or the urge to move their legs due to a tingling or itchy sensation. While it is not clear why some pregnant women experience RLS, some suggest it may be caused by a lack of folic acid. Make sure your prenatal vitamin has folic acid!
- Pain in pelvic region: Pregnancy hormones are causing your joints and ligaments to loosen in preparation for delivery. The joint that connects the two halves of your pelvis becomes more flexible and, in some cases, causes pelvic pain.
Pregnancy checklist at 28 weeks pregnant
Between 26 and 28 weeks pregnant, you will likely have just one prenatal check up. The next appointment to look forward to will take place at around 30 weeks. You may be scheduled to receive the RhoGam shot if your blood type is Rh negative.
Reminders for
Week 28
- Practice kegels. This vaginal exercise helps strengthen your pelvic floor, which helps support the added weight during pregnancy, during birth and in your post-delivery recovery. Plus, the extra strength helps prevent urine leaks.
- Talk to the baby. Baby can hear you and your partner from inside the womb. Talking to your baby and having your partner talk to your belly helps create a bond before they’re even born. Read books and sing songs so your little one will be instantly comforted by the sound of your voice when they arrive.
- Find out who your doctor’s backup practitioner is. In the event your doctor is not available or out of town at the time of delivery, it’s a good idea to learn who their backup provider is.
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Week 27 | Week 29
