28 Weeks Pregnant

At 28 weeks pregnant, baby is around the size of a Blockbuster VHS tape, and there are many exciting developments happening with them as you enter the third trimester. Baby may be able to tell the difference between light and dark and even move around in the womb in reaction to bright lights. What else? Read on to find out.

How Many Months Is 28 Weeks Pregnant?

28 weeks pregnant in months is six months pregnant, which is part of the third trimester.

Your Baby at 28 Weeks

The third trimester happens somewhere between weeks 27 and 28 of pregnancy, so by now you are firmly in your third trimester. With the third trimester comes a lot of big development, like the brain and senses. See what’s happening with your baby this week.

• Brain power: We’ve been talking a lot about your baby’s bones and organs, but in the third trimester, brain neuron development explodes, according to the New York Times.
• Senses develop: Your baby’s ears are making better connections, and they’re understanding some of the sounds around them. Their eyes now may even be able to see some light shining through your belly.
• Sleep cycles: Your baby’s sleep cycles now include dreaming. Yep, rapid eye movement (REM) can be detected in babies by this stage. Maybe they’re dreaming of you.
• Plumping up: As your baby puts on many finishing touches for their entrance into the world, they’re also putting on more body fat.

How Big Is a Baby at 28 Weeks?

Your baby is around 9.7 inches long from crown to rump and weighs 2.2 pounds this week. That’s about the size of a Blockbuster VHS tape.

28 Weeks Baby Movement

Your baby is starting to take up more and more space, and will soon settle into a head-down position (or cephalic presentation) for labor and birth. Most babies are fully head-down between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. But others may take a little longer, need some coaxing by your healthcare provider to get there or never end up head-down, in which case, a c-section is likely.

Your Body at 28 Weeks Pregnant

Now that you’re in the third trimester, you’re about to lose more of your precious energy. It’s no wonder—your baby is getting bigger, and it can be tough to get comfortable enough to get a good night’s sleep.

28 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

The third trimester is here! And while that means you’re getting closer to baby’s arrival, it also means you might be starting to feel less comfortable. Here’s what you can expect.

Frequent urination

The need to pee all the time may return now that baby’s big enough to crowd your bladder.

Heartburn

Your growing baby is also putting pressure on your stomach and intestines, making heartburn a strong possibility. Try to prevent it by avoiding spicy and greasy foods, and other foods you notice bother you. “Keep a food journal to pinpoint which foods trigger you the most,” says Al Bradlea, a lactation consultant and birth and postpartum doula. “Some usual culprits are spicy and fried foods, coffee and chocolate.”

Also avoid lying down within an hour of eating, and try to eat smaller meals more often—five or six mini meals, instead of three big meals, for example. “Sleep on a slight incline,” adds Bradlea. But think twice before popping an OTC remedy. “If it gets to the point where you’re in pain after every meal despite your best efforts, talk to your doctor—especially before trying antacids, some of which aren’t safe for pregnancy,” says Bradlea.

Backache

Over two thirds of pregnant women experience back pain, and with good reason: a bigger baby changes your posture and strains your spine. Not to mention the fact that hormonal changes are relaxing your ligaments, which can make you less stable while on the move.

Sciatica

Even worse than run-of-the-mill back pain? Feeling tingling, numbness or shooting pain through your lower back, butt and thighs. These are symptoms of sciatica—it gets its weird name from the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back and branches down both legs. It can happen during pregnancy because the growing uterus puts pressure on the nerve—and bloating, weight gain and posture changes don’t help either. Try a warm compress wherever you feel pain, remember to rest and add pelvic tilts to your Kegels routine to help strengthen your core. “When in doubt, get into child’s pose —and then, seek extra help to build strength and show your body some love,” says Bradlea.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Look out for sporadic tightening of your belly as your body preps for labor and birth. Braxton Hicks contractions are different from true labor contractions because they’re not regular and go away fairly quickly. The real deal would intensify in frequency, coming more and more often and more intensely.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS)

About 10-34 percent of pregnant women simply can’t keep their legs still at night. “People are sometimes surprised that after another exhausting day of pregnancy, they can get into bed and have Restless Leg Syndrome!” says Bradlea. RLS can make you antsy and really mess with your ability to get sleep. Talk to your doctor about taking a supplement if you have RLS—magnesium, iron, B12 or folate could help. Stretch and massage your legs, using a heating pad or warm bath or try ice to relieve symptoms. “Incorporating some movement into your routine is the first step. You don’t need hours of intense aerobics—an evening stroll for a half hour can provide immense relief,” says Bradlea.

More appointments

This technically isn’t a symptom, but it is a fact of pregnancy at this stage: In the third trimester, your OB or midwife is going to become your new best friend (if they aren’t already). At 28 weeks, you’ll have two appointments per month (every other week), and by 36 weeks pregnant, you’ll be going weekly.

Pregnancy Symptoms Coming Up In Week 29:

In week 29 of pregnancy, some common symptoms can include constipation, lightheadedness or UTIs.

28 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms Not To Ignore

If something feels off, run it by your doctor. Some symptoms you don’t want to ignore include running a high fever or noticing a significant increase in your vaginal discharge.

Commonly Asked Questions About 28 Weeks Pregnant

Once you hit the third trimester, the final countdown is on. Give your growing belly a rub and check out these commonly asked questions with month seven just around the corner.

How can I sneak in some fun before baby arrives?

Sometime in the next 14 weeks, life is about to get a lot more hectic. Use your final trimester to sneak in some extra fun. Schedule a few date nights, plan some visits with friends, get your nails done and head to your favorite coffee shop for a leisurely latte as often as you can.

What are the benefits of red raspberry leaf tea?

The purported benefits of red raspberry leaf tea are many, but studies have shown that the herb can actually help reduce the length of labor and help birthing parents avoid extra interventions. Check with your healthcare provider, then start with a cup a day of 100% red raspberry leaf rather than a blend. FYI: The tea doesn’t actually taste like raspberries—sorry!—but you won’t have to hold your nose to get it down.

What’s a good way to pass the time while 28 weeks pregnant?

For some people, pregnancy is a race to the finish line. For others, the weeks can really drag. If you fall into the latter camp, now’s a great time to start binging a long-running series. Try Friends or The Office for laughs, and Scandal or The Sopranos for drama and suspense. For feel-good vibes, you can’t go wrong with The Great British Baking Show. Don’t worry if you’ve already seen it before; what matters is it keeps your mind occupied and the hours flying by.

How can I prep for postpartum chaos?

If your budget allows, consider a night nurse to help in those first few weeks. These experienced individuals, also called postpartum doulas or night nannies, come to your home at the end of the day and care for your baby all night long, so you can, you know, sleep like a baby. If you’re nursing, they’ll wake you for a feeding, but afterward, the baby goes straight back into their care. Some night nurses even do your laundry and wash your dishes. The downside is that this extra help comes at a cost. Do your research to compare rates—and remember, even one night a week can make a noticeable difference. You could also add it to your baby registry—it could make a great baby shower group gift.

Sources

• Al Bradlea, IBCLC, Birth & Postpartum Doula
• Fetal Brain Said to Live at 28 Weeks
• Fetal Positions for Birth
• Back Pain During Pregnancy
• How accurate are ‘due dates’?
• Herbal Tea and Pregnancy

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