As the second trimester comes to a close, the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy signifies the beginning of the end of your pregnancy. At about this time, your healthcare provider will begin showing you fetal movement charts. If your baby is in the breech position, there is still time for him or her to turn around by the due date. If your baby does not move out of the breech position, you will have to deliver via C-Section. Your blood tests will also have come back, and if your blood contains the Rh antibody, your healthcare provider will give you an anti-D injection during this week, then again in the thirty-sixth week.
Symptoms and Body Changes at 28 Weeks
As your uterus applies pressure to your colon, constipation becomes more frequent. This is a very common symptom at this stage of pregnancy. Other symptoms such as fatigue, leg cramps, pregnancy pains, frequent urination, hemorrhoids, and insomnia continue to plague your day-to-day life. Most women also begin to experience Braxton Hicks contractions at this point; this is a false sign of labor. Some women also experience heartburn as the uterus continues to rise above the belly button and apply pressure to the stomach. The average weight gain by this week is 17 to 24 pounds, but this number is only an average, as every woman and every pregnancy is different. So keep informed, and inform your healthcare provider of any worries you may have.
Baby’s Development
At 16 inches long and weighing close to four pounds, your baby is continuing to grow at a steady pace. For the last few weeks, the growth has seemed to slow down, but from this week on your baby’s growth will start to pick up speed again. You may notice in the ultrasound images that he or she is looking plump. This is due to the fat that continues to build under the skin. The eyes have opened, and the eyebrows and eyelids are fully formed, and even the eyelashes are now visible. The enzyme system and the endocrinological processes are still developing, and the lungs are still maturing as the third trimester begins. As your baby moves around, you may be feeling kicks and punches more frequently.
Pregnancy Week 28 Tips
Trips to your doctor for regular check-ups are more frequent these days. It is important that you take the time to write down any questions or concerns you may have before each appointment. Things are changing drastically week to week, so be prepared for your appointments, and do not hold back. To learn more about pregnancy pains, read our articles about what is causing these pains and why, and what you can do for relief. Next is pregnancy at 29 weeks.
Photo credit: Kimi Coopet 28 weeks pregnant, ultrasound