Why is the 28th week of pregnancy crucial? Is 28 weeks considered 7 months pregnant? Is a 28-week old baby fully developed? What should you not do at 28 weeks pregnant?
Still got questions coming in at the last leg of pregnancy? Fret not, mums! Here’s everything you need to know about week 28 of pregnancy?
28 Weeks Pregnant in Months
28 weeks pregnant is how many months?
At 28 weeks pregnant, you are entering the seventh month of pregnancy. Pregnancy is typically considered full-term at 40 weeks, with three trimesters, each roughly corresponding to three months. The third trimester typically starts around the 28th week and continues until the end of the pregnancy, which is typically around 40 weeks.
The 28th week of pregnancy is considered crucial because it marks the beginning of the third trimester. At this stage, the baby’s organs and systems continue to mature rapidly, and their chances of survival outside the womb significantly increase.
It’s also a time when healthcare providers often monitor for conditions like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, which can become more apparent in the third trimester.
Pregnancy Week 28: Baby
It’s amazing to think that a baby is already on the way. It can be exciting and scary – especially if you’re unprepared for all of the changes taking place in your body. If you’re expecting a baby, this guide acquaints you with basic advice and helps you gain healthy living tips for pregnancy week 28.
Baby’s Growth
Your baby is now about the size of a Chinese cabbage, measuring between 37.7cm – 38.5cm and weighing about 1kg to 1.1kg.
The baby is now about 13 inches long and weighs about 2 pounds, 5 ounces. The amniotic sac has filled with fluid again, although it is still not very large.
The baby’s head will continue to grow in size, but the rest of its body will also become proportionately larger. The skin is still wrinkled and thin and the fingers are beginning to develop fingernails rather than just skin folds.
Image courtesy: Pixabay
Baby’s Development
Is a 28-week-old baby already fully developed?
While a baby at 28 weeks has made significant progress in development, they are not fully matured. At this stage, most of the baby’s vital organs are functional, but they may still need time for further growth, especially in terms of lung development. Babies born prematurely at 28 weeks may require specialised medical care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to support their ongoing development.
In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you’ll learn that:
- Your baby’s brain is rapidly developing. According to BabyCenter, the baby’s brain triples in weight during the third trimester.
- Your baby’s sense of hearing, smell and touch are fully developed and functional.
- They are getting used to blinking their eyes by the time you reach week 28 of pregnancy. Moreover, your baby might also be dreaming at this stage.
- Their bones are nearly developed, though they are still soft. (Don’t worry, they will harden more after your baby is born.)
- You may notice that your baby looks plump in the ultrasound. That’s because of the layers of fat forming.
- Great news! Their lungs are mature enough to survive the outside world if they were to be born now.
- Your baby is also excited to see you! By this time, they are already starting to get into position, which is head down looking for the nearest exit!
Baby’s Hearing
By the end of week 28, your baby’s hearing is fully developed. The cochlea, which is located in the inner ear, has fully formed and is sending signals to the brain. Your baby can hear high-pitched sounds, like those from a dog whistle or alarm clock.
As their hearing develops, she can also tell the difference between sounds that are loud and soft. This helps them coordinate their movements with what they hear around them.
At this point in development, your baby has probably heard more than you know! They should be developing some basic understanding of sounds and their meanings by now.
Baby’s Teeth
Your baby’s gums are filled with a soft, rubbery substance called “baby tooth tissue.” This tissue will become your baby’s first set of teeth.
As you get closer to your due date, you may notice that your baby’s gums are swollen and red. This is caused by the buildup of blood vessels in the gums as they prepare for teething.
Baby’s Movement
Your baby’s body is growing bigger, and their movements are becoming stronger and more frequent. They may also be practising breathing movements, which help strengthen their lungs.
This week, you may start to feel your baby move around inside of you as they get ready for birth. You’ll probably be able to feel these movements around four months after conception, but they might not be very noticeable until after six weeks.
It can be hard to tell the difference between gas pains and early pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness or heartburn. If you’re unsure whether the sensations you’re experiencing are a sign of a pregnancy or an ordinary stomach issue, try keeping a diary of when they happen and what you’re doing when they occur.
This will help identify if there’s a pattern associated with certain activities (such as eating certain foods) or times of day (like after meals).
28 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body
At 28 weeks pregnant, your body is undergoing significant changes to accommodate the growing baby. Your uterus has expanded considerably, reaching several inches above your belly button. As a result, you might be experiencing increased backaches and discomfort due to the extra weight you’re carrying.
You may also notice more frequent trips to the bathroom as the baby’s head presses against your bladder. Additionally, you might experience shortness of breath as your diaphragm gets crowded, making it harder to take deep breaths. Swollen ankles and feet, along with occasional leg cramps, can also be common at this stage.
Here are other symptoms to watch out for this week:
28 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms
- The top of your uterus can now be felt well above your belly button.
- Your pregnancy symptoms are changing once again. Many women begin experiencing leg cramps and even haemorrhoids at this point.
- It is hard to get a good sleeping position, especially because your baby is big enough to give you some sharp kicks to the ribs.
- As the uterus applies pressure on your colon, constipation becomes more frequent.
- You start wondering if you have been pregnant forever. Of course, the anxiety revolving around labour and birth also takes over your thoughts.
Maternal Weight Gain
The average gain for a woman during pregnancy is between 25 and 35 pounds. That’s quite a range! But don’t worry, it’s normal to gain different amounts based on your body type and metabolism.
So if you’re someone who naturally tends to put on weight easily, you might find yourself gaining more than the average—or less. It all depends on how your body handles pregnancy.
The normal weight gain for pregnancy at 28 weeks is 10 pounds. You may have gained a little more or less than this, but it’s likely that your weight gain will be within the normal range.
Your doctor will probably advise you to gain less than 20 pounds during pregnancy, so if you’ve gained more than 10 pounds since your last appointment, it’s time to talk about what can be done to get back on track.
Nutrition
Your baby is growing and developing at a rapid rate, and your body is doing its best to keep up with them. In fact, you may already be feeling some of the effects of this growth—like a sore back or difficulty sleeping!
Because your baby is growing so quickly, one of the most important things you can do for yourself during the third trimester is to make sure that you’re consuming enough nutrients to support their development. You can do this by eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy products.
It’s important to note that it’s still not safe for pregnant women to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Even though this is an exciting time in your life, it’s also a time when you need to be as healthy as possible to support your growing baby.
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 28 Weeks Pregnant
- While exercising is advisable, you must not indulge in anything strenuous. Remember that pregnant women are sexy. So treat yourself to cute maternity workout clothes.
- With the increasing appetite, ensure you munch on healthy snacks.
- Drink at least eight to 10 glasses of fluids every day to avoid dehydration in pregnancy.
- To relieve swollen ankles and feet, consider using Dr. Scholl MediQtto Compression Socks. These socks provide a comfortably tight fit and apply gradual compression based on medical science, effectively shaping and refreshing your legs. Designed specifically for bedtime use, they feature a flat ankle design suitable for sleeping postures and a toeless design for heat dissipation. Made with a cotton-like material, these socks offer a soft, tactile feeling while retaining sufficient compression.
- Your baby is so active now. If you haven’t yet, this is your reminder to start counting your baby’s kicks. Check out the kick counter tool in our theAsianparent app.
- This is the best time for a 3D or 4D ultrasound. Many gynaecologists bake the price of a 4D ultrasound into their package price, so do check if your doctor can do it for you complimentary.
- Now is the best time to look into a confinement caterer, should you choose to hire one.
- Your doctor may want to see you more often to monitor your pregnancy. She may ask you to come in for a checkup every two weeks until week 36, then switch to once-a-week visits until you give birth. Take this opportunity to ask more about your pregnancy and get tips about labour and delivery.
What should you not do at 28 weeks pregnant?
At 28 weeks pregnant, it’s important to avoid activities that can put undue stress on your body or pose risks to your baby. Activities like heavy lifting, strenuous exercise without proper guidance, or any activities that could result in a fall should be avoided. Additionally, consult your healthcare provider for specific guidance on your individual pregnancy.
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
Your next week: 29 weeks pregnant
Your previous week: 27 weeks pregnant
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
