At 28 weeks pregnant, you are officially in your third trimester and only have a few months left before you get to finally hold your baby. Around this time, you have probably already started mentally preparing yourself for the post-delivery phase, going through your list of baby names along with reading up on all the newborn care tips. You may be having trouble sleeping at night, either due to the movement of the baby or all the thoughts running through your mind. Still, your excitement is not dampened because all of this is worth hearing that melodious first cry.
This week, you may have a few things on your schedule, such as a prenatal appointment as well as extra self-care suggestions for any new symptoms. You may feel like there is a lot left to do, but you have to remember that rest is essential, too. The most important thing is for you to be healthy and happy at that moment when your baby is born, so both of you can bask in the warmth of your union without any hindrance.
Size of the baby at 28 weeks
The size of the baby at 28 weeks is around 14.8 inches, weighing approximately 2.2 pounds. This means that the size of the baby at 28 weeks from head to toe is around that of eggplant. Your tiny one is not-so-tiny anymore as they keep growing with each day. This week, their eyelids are partially open with eyelashes formed, which means that your baby can now have a glimpse of their surroundings and might even move in reaction to shifts in light.
Your baby’s brain is developing deep ridges and indentations, while also increasing the amount of tissue. Your baby may now be able to blink, make faces and even dream. You have both made a lot of progress in all these weeks and have grown so much amidst all the changes happening in both your bodies.
Your 28 week baby bump just can’t seem to stop growing, making you unable to look away from it. When the doctor measures your fundal height (distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus) at the next prenatal appointment, your 28 week baby bump will probably measure around 26 to 30 centimetres, if you are pregnant with a single child. For those pregnant with twins, fundal height is usually not measured as it is hard to determine an average.
Isn’t that so far from where you started all those months ago? Now, you’re getting closer to the day when you get to do it justice in a proper maternity photoshoot in all your comfortable and beautiful maternity outfits.
28 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
You have crossed the early pregnancy symptoms of the first trimester, the brief relief within discomforts in the second semester and finally reached the third semester. For your 28 weeks pregnant symptoms, sleeplessness will likely be what troubles you the most. There are other changes which may happen too and previous symptoms may continue, but you will be able to handle them, as well-equipped as you are with self-care tips.
Pregnancy Week 28Remember to keep a close eye on your body, so you can call your doctor if you have any concerns whatsoever. Right now, no doubt is too stupid and what matters most is the relief you get when your questions are answered. After all, you deserve to understand just what is happening to your body.
Here are the 28 weeks pregnant symptoms which you may experience:
1. Trouble sleeping at night
The closer you get to your due date, you may find it more and more difficult to catch proper sleep at night. This could be because of a variety of reasons, such as hormones, dreams, movement of baby, discomforts, stress or the combination of everything. Remember to take it easy and try to rest even if you may feel defeated with how hard it is for sleep to come. Try calming activities such as listening to music, nature sounds or reading a book before bed so it can relax you and make it easier for you to slip into slumber.
2. Aches and pains
As hormones fluctuate and your body keeps growing to adapt to the presence of your baby, it can put a strain on certain parts, giving you aches and discomforts. For example, the hormone relaxin loosens the ligaments and muscles in your hips, pelvic floor, stomach and pelvis, to ensure that the baby can make their way out safely and comfortably. However, this can cause the joints to become unbalanced, leading to pain. This can lead to more painful conditions such as symphysis pubis dysfunction.
Your baby is also putting a lot of pressure on your pelvis, due to their size and weight, which can further increase discomfort.
There are a variety of options you can consider to seek relief from aches, such as yoga, stretching, walking, swimming and even a prenatal massage. You can also consider investing in a maternity support belt, especially when you are moving around so that it gives you some relief.
Remember to consult your doctor before you make any decision, especially if you are experiencing pelvic pain so that they can confirm with options are the safest for you. If there is a more serious condition at work, your doctor may even recommend a physiotherapist.
3. Shortness of breath
As the baby grows, they will continue crowding your diaphragm and lungs, which can cause shortness of breath. Remember to take rest and not push yourself too hard, especially when exercising. Knowing your body’s limits is not a sign of weakness, but a gesture of respecting your body and its needs,
4. Leaking of breasts
Your breasts might produce the baby’s first food way ahead of their arrival, leading to them leaking a yellowish substance called colostrum.
5. Braxton-Hicks Contractions
These are called “false labor” because it is just your body practicing for the real thing. Braxton-Hicks contractions are the occasional tightening of your uterus for about 30 to 60 seconds and a maximum of 2 minutes.
These are uncomfortable but not too painful and do not happen regularly. Actual contractions get longer, stronger and closer together with time. Keep an eye on them, because in case the contractions are getting stronger and more frequent and do not go away when you change positions, you need to call your doctor immediately.
28 weeks pregnant Ultrasound
You may or may not have a 28 weeks pregnant ultrasound, because if your pregnancy is uncomplicated, your doctor may not feel the need to monitor the baby very frequently. However, you will likely be curious either way about just what you can see in the 28 weeks pregnant ultrasound.
By this time, the baby’s wrinkly skin is starting to get smoother and they’re practicing breathing. They have probably moved into the position for delivery, with their head near the cervix. In case they haven’t, they may move into it within the next few weeks. From now on, you’ll likely see your OB twice per month for an appointment.
As small as the baby is, their body is slowly starting to work just like your own and it won’t be long until they’re all ready to be brought out into the world.
Self-Care Tips for Being 28 Weeks Pregnant
By now, you are most likely used to revising your self-care checklist with each week. At 28 weeks pregnant, there are a few points you need to add and keep in mind.
Healthy diet
Keep up with your nutritional, balanced diet and drink sufficient water throughout the day. Continue taking your prenatal vitamins.
Count fetal kicks
This week, your doctor may recommend counting your baby’s kicks, so you know how to tell that things are normal. For this, you will usually have to pick a time when the baby is most active, like after a meal and count the time it takes for 10 fetal movements, which includes kicks, jabs, rolls, etc. This should usually take less than two hours. Then, repeat the process at the same time every day so you can find out an average, so you can report to the doctor if anything seems inconsistent.
Discuss labor pain relief options
As exciting as the big day maybe, you also have to prepare yourself for the pain. Discuss different labor pain medication options with your doctor, so you can choose the one you feel comfortable with. Knowing how you will be taken care of can relieve some of that stress and give you the reassurance you need.
Start preparing for the big day
Even though you have a few months before your due date, start preparing from now on, both mentally and physically. Find out all the procedures which will take place when you get to the hospital, make a list of contacts, start preparing the items for your hospital bag and research on the quickest route to the hospital.
Seek out cathartic activities such as writing, journaling or even therapy, so that your mind is given the care it deserves, too.
As busy as everything seems at the moment, try to ground yourself in the present, as well. Savour this experience by remembering all these feelings and immortalizing them in whatever way you want. Give yourself constant reassurances and positive affirmations, because you are doing a good job, even on the days when you feel like a complete mess. Remember that you don’t have to be the perfect parent. You only need to be ready to grow and learn from all your stumbles.
We are cheering for you in this beautiful, magical journey.
Also Read: 6 Physical Activities Every Pregnant Woman Should Avoid
