28 Weeks Pregnancy: Key Information Every Pregnant Woman Should Know

28 Weeks Pregnancy: Key Information Every Pregnant Woman Should Know 1. Baby's Size at 28 Weeks At 28 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is about the size of a large eggplant or cabbage, measuring approximately 14.8 inches and weighing around 2.2 pounds. 2. Entering the Third Trimester 28 weeks marks the beginning of the third trimester, where your body and baby will undergo the final stages of growth and preparation for birth. 3. Fetal Movements at 28 Weeks At this stage, your baby’s movements become more frequent and stronger. You may notice patterns of kicking, rolling, and stretching, and may even feel hiccups. 4. Baby’s Brain Development The baby’s brain is growing rapidly at 28 weeks, with an increase in brain tissue and development of sleep-wake cycles. This is a critical time for neurological development. 5. Lung Maturation By 28 weeks, your baby's lungs are starting to mature, but they are still not fully developed. If the baby is born prematurely at this stage, they may need help with breathing. 6. Changes in Your Body at 28 Weeks As you enter the third trimester, you may experience more pronounced symptoms like back pain, swollen feet, and fatigue as the baby grows and puts pressure on your body. 7. Monitoring Baby's Movements Around 28 weeks, doctors recommend starting kick counts to monitor fetal movements. You should feel around 10 movements within 2 hours. If movements decrease, contact your healthcare provider. 8. Gestational Diabetes Screening By 28 weeks, you may have undergone the gestational diabetes screening, which tests your body’s response to sugar. Managing blood sugar levels is crucial for both mother and baby’s health. 9. Third Trimester Ultrasound Some women may receive an ultrasound at 28 weeks to monitor fetal growth, check the position of the placenta, and assess amniotic fluid levels. 10. Braxton Hicks Contractions During this time, you may experience Braxton Hicks contractions, which are practice contractions as your body prepares for labor. These are usually painless and irregular. 11. Weight Gain in the Third Trimester By 28 weeks, you should have gained around 17-24 pounds, depending on your pre-pregnancy weight. It’s important to maintain a healthy diet to support the baby’s development. 12. Eye Development Your baby's eyes are fully formed at 28 weeks, and they can blink and even respond to light changes outside the womb. 13. Preparing for Labor At 28 weeks, it’s a good time to start preparing for labor by discussing birth plans with your healthcare provider, considering childbirth classes, and learning about signs of preterm labor. 14. Position of the Baby By this time, your baby may start to settle into a head-down position in preparation for birth, although some babies may still change positions frequently. 15. Emotional Changes and Fatigue It’s common to feel more emotionally sensitive and fatigued during the third trimester. Make sure to get plenty of rest and practice self-care to manage stress. 16. Common Symptoms at 28 Weeks Common symptoms include heartburn, difficulty sleeping, and shortness of breath as your uterus grows and pushes against your diaphragm. 17. Regular Prenatal Visits From 28 weeks onward, you’ll have more frequent prenatal check-ups to monitor both your health and the baby’s growth, typically every two weeks. 18. Importance of Staying Active Gentle exercises like walking or prenatal yoga can help relieve discomfort, improve circulation, and support a healthy pregnancy as you move into the third trimester. 19. Preterm Labor Awareness By 28 weeks, it’s important to be aware of the signs of preterm labor, such as regular contractions, lower back pain, or fluid leakage, and contact your doctor if these occur. 20. Preparing the Nursery Many expectant mothers begin preparing the baby’s nursery at 28 weeks, as this is a good time to finalize arrangements before fatigue increases in the later weeks. SEO Keywords: 28 weeks pregnant, 28 weeks pregnancy baby size, third trimester pregnancy, fetal movements at 28 weeks, 28 weeks pregnant symptoms, Braxton Hicks contractions at 28 weeks, gestational diabetes screening, fetal development at 28 weeks, third trimester ultrasound, baby’s brain development at 28 weeks, preparing for labor at 28 weeks, preterm labor signs at 28 weeks, weight gain at 28 weeks pregnant, baby’s position at 28 weeks, kick counts at 28 weeks