28 Weeks Pregnant: What To Expect?
When you hit the 28-week mark, you are six months pregnant. Your baby is getting big and strong, but they still have plenty of developing to do between now and the end of pregnancy. Moms-to-be who are 28 weeks pregnant and beyond are known for their lack of sleep. If you find yourself up in the middle of the night, do something relaxing.
Baby’s Growth During Pregnancy – Week 28
On the 28th week of pregnancy, if you shine a bright light against your abdomen, he may open his eyes and turn away from the light.
At 28 weeks pregnant, your baby’s brain wave patterns will indicate that they are responding to sounds in the environment, such as the sound of your voice, the growl of your stomach when you’re hungry, even noises outside your body.
28-weeks pregnant is a vital stage in your baby’s lung development. The bronchial tubes are maturing, dividing into smaller and smaller branches.
Your baby’s facial features are quite well-developed, and they even have tiny eyelashes. You may feel them making little twitching and jerking movements inside you – this could be them getting hiccups as their digestive system matures.
What is the Baby’s Size?
At 28 weeks pregnant, the baby is the size of an eggplant. They are putting on layers of fat, and now measures about 14.8 inches from head to toe and weighs in around 2.2 pounds.
28-week Symptoms of Pregnancy
Baby continues to crowd your lungs and diaphragm, making it tougher to catch your breath. Give yourself time and don’t push too hard and try to take breaks.
All the pressure that the baby is putting on your lower half can cause this and you will have to pay frequent visits to the washroom.
- Abdominal aches and pains
As your uterus grows, the round ligaments supporting it have to stretch. Occasionally, these stretched-out ligaments will cause a sharp pain or a dull ache in your lower abdomen, usually on one side or the other. It’s probably most noticeable when you change positions or get up suddenly. Rest usually offers the best relief.
- Braxton Hicks contractions
You may have noticed your belly occasionally feeling really tight and that’s actually a contraction. Braxton Hicks might be more noticeable for women who are 26 weeks pregnant with twins. It’s nothing to worry about. It is just your muscles flexing to practice for labor. Tell your doctor if the contractions are painful or don’t stop as those can be signs of preterm labor.
- Leaking breasts
Your body has already started preparing for your baby. This also happens to prepare you in case you have a preterm delivery.
28 weeks pregnant belly
Your OB will probably measure your 28 weeks pregnant belly at your prenatal appointment. This week, fundal height—the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus—should be about 26 to 30 centimeters. Knowing you’re measuring within that normal range is a reassurance that baby’s growth is on track and that baby’s in the right position since a breach or sideways position could affect the measurement.
Doctors recommend you start doing kick counts at 28 weeks. You’ll be keeping tabs on how often a baby’s moving and whether his or her movements are consistent from day to day.
28 Weeks Ultrasound
Now that you’re 28 weeks pregnant, you’ll start seeing your OB twice per month (or every two weeks). If your pregnancy has been uncomplicated, don’t expect to get a 28-week ultrasound at this appointment.
Inside your 28 weeks pregnant belly, a baby is starting to develop more fat, so his or her once-wrinkly skin is starting to get smoother. And most of all your baby is practicing breathing.
PREGNANCY CHECKLIST AT 28-WEEKS PREGNANCY
- Practice labor exercises
- Start picking baby names with your partner
- Don’t freak out with increased dramatic or vivid dreams which may be just due to the extra hormones.
- Trying to remain in quiet, peaceful surroundings as your baby is now developed enough to respond to sounds, and sudden loud noises are likely to upset him. You can even play soothing music to keep the baby calm.
Also Read: 27 Weeks Pregnant: What To Expect?
