Week 28 of Pregnancy

Key Takeaways at Week 28

• Welcome to the third trimester! You're in the home stretch; worry and exhilaration may be setting in. You'll be seeing your obstetrician more often now that you're nearing the end. Expect a routine appointment every two weeks

• Baby isn't giving you much space. Their confined conditions may cause you to experience unpleasant symptoms such as shortness of breath, incontinence, and overall discomfort

• You've been feeling the baby move and groove for many weeks. Now is the time to start counting kicks. Basically, you want to experience at least ten movements during a two-hour period

• Moms-to-be who are 28 weeks or more pregnant are very sleep-deprived. If you find yourself awake in the middle of the night, try something calming. (Now is not the time to clean the whole home from top to bottom.) Instead, try reading a book, drinking pregnancy-safe herbal tea, or listening to relaxing music. Then return to bed and attempt to get some rest!

• If you are in Week 28 of your pregnancy you are in the third trimester and in the seventh month

• 12 more weeks remaining in your pregnancy

Baby's Movement and Baby’s Development at Week 28

Inside your tummy, your baby is gaining fat, and its once-wrinkly skin is smoothing. In very exciting news, your baby is practising breathing, and their lungs are maturing every day.

If you're expecting a boy, the testicles normally descend from the abdomen into the scrotum between weeks 27 and 28 of pregnancy. Here's an intriguing fact: For the first several weeks following conception, baby males and girls have identical sex organs. Around week 9 of pregnancy, the Y chromosome in males drives the development of testicles, which release male hormones that stimulate the growth of sex organs (such as the penis).

In week 28 of pregnancy, the baby's immune system continues to grow, with the placenta guiding the process. The womb was long thought to be a sterile environment that protected the newborn from external microorganisms. Babies' immune system development was assumed to be exclusively driven by antibodies acquired from their mothers. However, other experts (controversially) contend that data indicates that babies are born with a distinct microbiome (or collection of microorganisms), implying that they may have been exposed to germs in the womb.

After week 28 of pregnancy, your baby will continue to grow, get smarter and will just need a few more finishing touches before meeting you. Your infant can now blink, cough, suck, and hiccup.

Your child can now get deep REM (rapid eye movement) slumber.

As you approach the third trimester, your baby may begin to turn headfirst into the delivery position. Most infants are delivered in this position.

• Baby Weight: Around 997 grammes
• Baby Length: 16 inches long
• Baby Size: Comparable to cucumber.

Pregnancy Symptoms and Body Changes This Week

During week 28 of pregnancy, your body is continuously changing. As your baby develops, so will you, and you may feel specific pregnancy symptoms throughout this period.

• You may see colostrum leaking from your nipples; this is the initial stage of breast milk production
• The third trimester offers its own set of aches and pains as your baby grows and pregnancy hormones affect your body. There are advantages to exercising—some pregnancy-safe workouts may help relieve achiness and stiffness in your body
• Approximately 15% of pregnant women globally acquire gestational diabetes. If your blood sugar levels are high, your doctor will monitor them and work with you to improve your health (for both you and your baby)
• Your baby may be lying on your spine's sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatica. You may have shooting, acute pain or tingling that spreads from your buttocks to the back of your legs. To alleviate pain, consider taking warm (not hot) baths, using a heating pad, and stretching on a regular basis
• Fluid retention may release your pelvic bones in preparation for birth, but it can also cause swelling in your wrists and ankles. Elevate your feet whenever possible, wear comfortable shoes, and drink enough water to keep the fluids flowing through your kidneys
• Constipation and haemorrhoids are common concerns. Consuming high-fibre meals, keeping hydrated, and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing may bring relief

Body Changes This week

It's the third trimester, and your body will feel every bit pregnant, with aches and pains, laboured breathing, and difficulty sleeping. Now is the moment to practice self-compassion, both physically and psychologically.

The swelling in your limbs may worsen. Elevate your feet whenever possible, avoid salty meals, and attempt to stay cool during these last months.

Heartburn is also prevalent. Some natural, pregnancy-safe heartburn cures include a handful of almonds, papaya, milk, or yoghurt. Chewing low-sugar or sugarless gum for half an hour before meals stimulates saliva production, which may neutralise excess acid in the oesophagus. If coffee or spicy foods make you uncomfortable, avoid them.

Braxton Hicks at 28 weeks

Braxton Hicks contractions are usual throughout a healthy pregnancy and may get more intense as you get closer to the end. They will not induce you to go into labour, but your body is preparing for the big moment.

These contractions, often known as "false labour," cause the muscles across your belly to tense, and your uterus may feel hard to the touch. They may mimic menstruation cramps. Changing positions, getting a massage, and keeping hydrated might help relieve them.

These contractions are usually harmless, but if they occur on a regular basis, you should see your doctor.

28-week Ultrasound

Now that you're 28 weeks pregnant, you'll start visiting your doctor twice a month (every two weeks). If your pregnancy has been straightforward, you should not anticipate an ultrasound at this visit. Even while you'd definitely want to see inside that belly, it's simply unnecessary to have more than a few ultrasounds during your pregnancy, unless your doctor has a specific reason to watch you more closely. Try to remain patient! Soon, the baby will arrive, and you will be able to stare at them as much as you want.

Your Baby Bump at Week 28

At your prenatal visit, your OB will most likely measure your belly. This week, your fundal height (the distance between your pubic bone and the top of your uterus) should be about 26 to 30 centimetres. Knowing you're measuring within the usual range provides confidence that the baby's development is on track and that the baby is in the proper position, since a breech or sideways position may impact the measurement. Women who are 28 weeks pregnant with twins should not be overly concerned about their fundal height measures, since physicians find it difficult to establish an "average" for twin pregnancies.

Doctors suggest starting kick counts at 28 weeks. You'll be keeping track of how frequently the baby moves and if their motions are constant from day to day. Here's how to accomplish it. Choose a time of day and set the timer. Determine how long it takes to reach 10 foetal movements; it should be less than two hours. Repeat the process the next day around the same time. Keep track of the times each day, and you'll be able to determine your baby's typical range. It's fantastic to know that they're doing well there. If anything seems to be inconsistent, notify your doctor.

Tips and Exercises at Week 28

Being 28 weeks pregnant is a significant milestone for both you and your baby. Here's some additional professional advice on how to transition to this new stage while keeping you and your baby safe.

• Give yourself little treats to help relieve the aches and pains. You're past the period of intense exercise, but you may still go for walks, practice yoga, or get a prenatal massage to relax your muscles
• If you haven't had your babymoon yet, this might be your final opportunity. Before proceeding, get approval from your healthcare physician. To avoid swelling and clotting while flying, drink plenty of water, get up and stretch your legs, and rotate and flex your ankles frequently. Book an aisle seat to make it easy to get up and stretch. Remember to bring medical documents and contacts just in case
• Kick counts may be both enjoyable and stressful. Try to conduct your kick counts at the same time every day, at a time when the baby is generally most active, and don't panic if you don't get kicks. Wiggles, bladder stomps, tumbles, and pokes all count. Remember that babies sleep, therefore you may need to wake them up!
• What sort of birth to have, what to name the baby, whether or not to circumcise, and so on. Some choices will be simpler than others, and others will be entirely your own, but it may be beneficial to consult with trusted friends, a partner, or your doctor to help you reach a conclusion
• Baby will be here before you realise it, so get things ready early. Wash some baby clothing and bedding, prepare the baby's room, and begin stocking up on postpartum recovery supplies

Checklist for Week 28

• Schedule a 30-week prenatal checkup
• Take your babymoon while you can
• Count the small kicks
• Research and speak with your doctor about pain-relief choices during labour and delivery
• Begin exploring for ideas for birth announcements

Frequently Asked Questions on Week 28 of Pregnancy

1. Should sneezing be unpleasant during pregnancy?
   When you sneeze, you may get severe discomfort in your lower abdomen, hips, or pelvic region. This is a natural feature of pregnancy. Beginning in the second trimester, your increasing baby bump strains and pulls on your round ligaments, which are strips of connective tissue on each side of your belly that help maintain your uterus in place. To alleviate the pain, consider folding forward at the hips before sneezing to lessen the strain on the ligaments when your muscles tighten.
2. How can I make a birth plan?
   A birth plan organises your preferences for labour and delivery and may help you and your practitioner prepare for the big day. It may make you feel more confident about going into labour and happy with the outcome. Using a template will assist you in determining which variables are essential to you, such as whether you want an epidural, who will accompany you in the delivery room, props you'd want to utilise (such as a birthing ball or bathtub), and feeding and skin-to-skin instructions. Stay flexible and recognise that it is not always feasible to follow every request on your plan due to unanticipated problems.