Overview of Week 28 of pregnancy
During week 28 of pregnancy:
- Your baby is 14.75 inches long
- You are in trimester three
- 12 more weeks to go
- Baby may be dreaming
Congratulations, you have made it to the third trimester! During this last phase of pregnancy, your baby will continue to grow in weight and length. Their lungs will continue to mature and get ready for life outside of your uterus. Your baby will also position themself into the birthing position.
For you, this will likely become the most uncomfortable trimester. Your belly will continue to grow and the uterus will put additional pressure on your lungs and bladder. The added weight and size of your belly will also contribute to some back pain and difficulty sleeping. Trust me, by the end of this trimester, all you will want is to get that baby out of there!
How many months pregnant is 28 weeks?
At 28 weeks you have reached a big milestone of pregnancy: the third trimester! This is the home stretch of pregnancy now. You are roughly 6 months, and 2 weeks pregnant. You have about 2 and a half months of pregnancy left.
How big is baby at 28 weeks pregnant?
Your baby is now around 14.75 inches long, from head to toe. Curled up in your uterus, it is roughly the size of a head of lettuce. As for weight, your little one weighs about 2.25 pounds by week 28 of pregnancy.
Baby development during week 28 of pregnancy
Eyes
Your baby’s eyes are now open and your little one is practicing blinking. The eyelids are even complete with little eyelashes to bat.
Sleep
Research on brain waves in developing fetuses has shown that by 28 weeks pregnant, your baby goes through different sleep cycles. This includes the REM (rapid eye movement) cycle that occurs when we dream. That’s right, your little one may be dreaming away in your uterus right now.
Pregnancy Week 28 Symptoms
Braxton-Hicks
Braxton-Hick contractions are false labor pains caused by the contraction of the uterus. They are not contractions that indicate that labor is coming; instead, they prepare your body for labor. Unlike labor contractions, these contractions come irregularly and do not increase in length or strength. They can feel uncomfortable and like mild menstrual cramps. You may start to feel Braxton-Hicks at any time in your pregnancy from now on.
Stretch marks
You may have started to notice stretch marks forming on your belly and breasts. These indented, purple, red, or blue lines occur when skin is stretched quickly. It is difficult to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy and they are usually permanent scars. You may not be able to avoid them completely, but you can start to use lotions and oils on your belly and breasts to help reduce the severity of the marks.
Swelling
Swelling in pregnancy is a normal symptom that usually starts in the second trimester and may worsen towards the end of pregnancy. Excess fluids in the body and pressure from your growing uterus can cause water retention in the feet, ankles, and hands. If you notice your fingers starting to swell, you should remove any rings until the swelling goes down. Let your doctor or midwife know if the swelling worsens or if there is a large amount in your face or around your eyes.
Pregnancy brain
You may notice that you seem to forget more things nowadays. You may not remember specific details, dates, or things on your to-do list. Perhaps you may not be able to focus on tasks and your mind seems to wonder. This is a common occurrence in pregnancy. In order to combat this, writing yourself notes and leaving them around your home might be a beneficial idea.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your rectum and around your anus. During pregnancy, increased blood flow to the pelvic area, as well as increased pressure from the uterus, causes veins around your rectum to swell.
Pregnancy week 28 tips
Take pictures
Have you taken your weekly baby bump photo yet? These pictures will be a good memory to look back on and it is a fun way to show your belly growing throughout your pregnancy. In fact, if you have been taking pictures since the beginning of your pregnancy, you will probably already see some transformation.
Think about your birth plan
This is a good time to start thinking about your birth plan and deciding on how you want your labor and delivery experience to go. A birth plan is a written plan about what your ideal delivery experience will be like. It includes things like if you want any pain medication, who you would like to be in the delivery room with you, and your wishes for possible induction. Other things you may want to consider are how you plan to feed your baby and if you would like music, candles, or anything else in the birthing room.
Research car seats
If you haven’t already, start researching car seats. You will need a car seat before you take your baby home from the hospital, so you will need to make sure you have your car seat purchased well before your due date. For newborns, you can choose between either an infant seat or a convertible seat; both will need to be rear-facing. Infant car seats can be detached from the base and you will be able to carry your baby around in them. Convertible seats remain in the car; therefore you will need to take your baby out every time you make a stop. Convertible seats, however, can be switched to a forward-facing position, and therefore you will be able to use them for a much longer period of time.
Take an infant CPR class
As a mom-to-be, it is good to be prepared for any scenario. An infant CPR class will train you how to deal with the unfortunate event that your baby has a cardiac or breathing emergency. Even if you never use it (hopefully you won’t), it will give some peace of mind that you will actually know how to respond.
