28 weeks pregnant symptoms and the development of your baby

You are now 28 weeks pregnant, that means, you are now in the 3rd trimester of your pregnancy journey. Here's what to expect during this time.

Loading...
You got lucky! We have no ad to show to you!
Advertisement

28 weeks pregnant in months: You are now 28 weeks pregnant and maybe you are wondering how many months you are pregnant now. 28 weeks pregnant in months is equivalent to 7 months. So, 28 weeks pregnant how many months? 7 months. It is the beginning of your 3rd trimester. Just a few more months and you are finally giving birth to your little one.

During this time, you may have difficulty sleeping but remember that taking rest is really important. Get as much rest as you can. You need to gain enough energy to stay safely active.

28 weeks pregnant: How big is your baby?

Your little one continues to gain some pounds as a preparation for the life that is waiting for them outside your womb. During your 28th week of pregnancy, your baby is about 37 centimeters long and weighs about .9 to 1.1 kilograms.

28 weeks pregnant ultrasound

Photo by Misael Moreno on Unsplash

Your belly might start to feel uncomfortable at this time around because your baby is getting bigger. According to flo.health, your baby when you are 28 weeks pregnant is almost the size of a coconut. When you undergo 28 weeks pregnant ultrasound, you will know how your baby’s heart is beating strong.

Your doctor may let you hear your baby’s heartbeat using the stethoscope but other people, your partner, for example, may actually hear your baby’s heartbeat when they put their head on top of your belly – that’s how strong your baby’s heartbeat is during the 28th week of pregnancy.

28 weeks pregnant baby position

During the ultrasound, you can be able to see how your baby positions itself inside your womb.

28 weeks pregnant baby position: Since you are now at the beginning of your third trimester – the last trimester of your pregnancy journey, your baby now is getting ready to position itself for birth.

According to flo.health, your baby now is in a diagonal position where the head is facing your left thigh and its face is towards your buttocks. This position is called the right occiput anterior. On the other hand, if the baby is facing your right thigh, then its position is called left occiput anterior.

Moreover, your baby at week 28 is settling into the right position, preparing for childbirth. However, it might still twist and change position inside your womb, but most of the time its head is facing down while the legs are facing up.

Loading...
You got lucky! We have no ad to show to you!
Advertisement

How big is your baby bump? 28 weeks pregnant belly

Because your baby is growing bigger, more pain may occur in your belly area as the pressure on your ribs and upper stomach increases. This is perfectly normal during 28 weeks of pregnancy.

You are now in the 7th month of your pregnancy, two more months and you will be giving birth to your baby. Your baby bump is protruding now and you may feel that your ribs are stretching.

Remember that it is normal during this time and there is nothing to worry about it. It won’t cause you and your baby any harm. However, if you feel that you cannot bear the pain you are feeling, it is always best to consult your doctor. They may give you advice on what to do to ease the pain.

Loading...
You got lucky! We have no ad to show to you!
Advertisement

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Your baby’s development

Your baby’s consciousness is starting to develop at 28 weeks of pregnancy. Most brain developmental milestones happen at this stage of pregnancy. The amount of brain tissue is now increasing.

According to Planned Parenthood, at weeks 27-28 your baby’s eyelids are still fused together and may start to open at week 28. While according to Healthline, at this stage, the baby’s eyelids are now partially open, and have eyelashes, too.

What is more exciting during the 28th week of pregnancy is that you may see through ultrasound that your baby is now capable of blinking and making faces. According to Healthline, your baby at week 28 may start dreaming when they sleep inside your womb.

Loading...
You got lucky! We have no ad to show to you!
Advertisement

28 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore

Your belly gets bigger at this point and you may have difficulty fitting into your clothes. What’s more challenging is that the struggles or the difficulties during the first trimester are now coming back.

Food aversion and morning sickness that is gone during the second trimester are now coming back at the beginning of 3rd trimester. It is because your stomach experiences more pressure due to the developing baby. So, you will feel more sensitive to different foods, especially oily and fatty foods. Salty and spicy foods may also irritate your stomach.

Furthermore, since giving birth is now 2 months away, you may feel more Braxton Hicks contractions as your body prepares for real labor. It is important to note that Braxton Hicks contractions also known as false labor contractions are different from true or real labor contractions.

Braxton Hicks contractions usually begin in 3rd trimester of pregnancy and intensify when you are closer to delivery. You may feel that the muscles of your uterus are tightening for about 20 to 2 minutes. But Braxton Hicks contractions, unlike real labor contractions, do not cause intense pain. Aside from that, it does not come regularly. False labor contractions may go away on their own once you change position or change the activity you are doing when it occurs.

On the other hand, real labor contractions cause intense pain and come regularly. It comes longer, stronger, and closer together. And lastly, it will not go away even if you change position. In case you feel that your contractions at week 28 are signs of real labor and not Braxton Hicks then consult your doctor right away. It may be a sign of premature birth.

Loading...
You got lucky! We have no ad to show to you!
Advertisement

Furthermore, aside from false labor contractions other 28 weeks of pregnant symptoms are constipation, backaches, leg cramps, and insomnia.

Photo by John Looy on Unsplash

28 weeks pregnant symptoms not to ignore

If you are experiencing insomnia, you can talk to your doctor or a sleep therapist to help you with your sleeping problem. They may teach you some relaxation techniques to help you sleep well. Finding a more comfortable place to sleep may also help you. In addition, you may listen to calming music to fall asleep faster.

Additionally, if you are having a hard time because of backaches and leg cramps, booking a prenatal massage might help. Your doctor may also recommend some gentle stretches to help your muscles relax.

Moreover, if you are suffering from constipation, what you need according to Healthline is to try to eat six small meals instead of eating three large meals. It may help your digestive system relax to lessen the extra gas it is creating.

Loading...
You got lucky! We have no ad to show to you!
Advertisement

You may also experience other 28 weeks of pregnant symptoms such as the following:

  • Heartburn and indigestion
  • Swollen limbs
  • Varicose veins and spider veins
  • Frequent need to urinate
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Breast growth and leakage
  • Increase in vaginal discharge

Other things to remember

Since you are now just 2 months away from giving birth to your baby, it is now the best time to plan for delivery. You may start talking with your doctor about your wishes and desires regarding delivery. It’s the perfect time to have a birth plan. You can also talk to your partner and you can plan together for the “big day”.

 

Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. theAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.

Written by

Jobelle Macayan