28 Weeks Pregnant | Belly, Ultrasound and Symptoms

You’re 28 weeks pregnant. That means you’re officially in your third trimester and officially 7 months.

One of the important tests to review is the GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test), this checks for GDM (Gestational Diabetes).

More about GDM later.

Are you wondering what to expect at 28 weeks pregnant? Read on for some helpful advice and tips!

28 Weeks Pregnant

You’ll probably start to see your care provider every two weeks now.

This will continue until your 36th week when visits will become weekly.

If you have developed, or are at risk of developing, gestational diabetes, it’s more important than ever to stay healthy.

As a result, you might need more frequent monitoring and prenatal appointments.

Because you’re getting closer to the baby’s due date, it’s time to start making a checklist of those last things you need to accomplish.

Make sure you have everything you need for your baby and that all the arrangements are made for your hospital visit.

If you haven’t toured the maternity ward of your hospital, it should be happening soon. Speak with your doctor or midwife to book a tour.

It’s important you don’t skip your birth class; before the big day arrives you need to know what to expect and where to go when you get to the hospital.

You definitely don’t want to be wandering around the hospital trying to find your way while you’re in active labor.

If you haven’t looked into independent childbirth classes for more in-depth pain relief strategies and tools to help your partner support you, then it’s time to do that.

You might also notice Braxton Hicks contractions getting stronger and more frequent from now on.

These practice contractions are usually mild, and they are part of the way your body prepares for your little one to arrive.

28 weeks pregnant belly

Backache, joint pain, ligaments stretching, heartburn with indigestion, headaches and nerve pain are hallmarks of the third trimester of pregnancy.

Generally, these pregnancy symptoms aren’t serious, but they can be annoying.

The extra weight and strain of your growing belly and baby are usually the cause.

Shortness of breath often becomes more noticeable after week 28 of pregnancy.

As the baby gets bigger, your lungs become more squished up, and taking a deep breath becomes especially difficult.

Try to have at least a few breaks during the day and take the weight of your belly off your lungs.

Try to lean forward on your hands and knees. Being weightless by lying on your front in water is also particularly useful.

28 weeks pregnant – symptoms

At 28 weeks pregnant, your breasts might have started to leak colostrum.

This yellowish fluid is food for your baby during the first few days after your baby is born, while you wait for your milk to come in.

Leaking colostrum does not indicate what your milk supply will be like after your baby has arrived. In fact, not all pregnant women experience it.

If your breasts have begun to leak, try placing breast pads inside your bra. It will make you feel more comfortable and prevent wet patches from appearing on your clothes.

Your sleep cycles might start to be more disturbed now. This will make you feel even more tired as your pregnancy progresses.

Try to avoid doing anything too stimulating during the evening.

If you do find yourself wide awake in the middle of the night, try reading a book or having a cup of warm camomile tea. It usually helps.

Be sure to make adjustments for your shortness of breath and your changing shape.

Gestational diabetes at 28 weeks pregnant

What is GDM (gestational diabetes)?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition in which a hormone made by the placenta prevents the body from using insulin effectively. Glucose builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cells.

Before testing, you will be required to eat nothing overnight and drink a glucose drink in the morning. You will then have three blood tests – each done one hour apart.

GDM testing has increased by a huge amount. Testing is done for all pregnant women between 26-28 weeks of pregnancy.

The outcomes for mothers and babies, however, have not improved because of testing.

If you don’t want to do the GDM test there are other ways of testing your blood sugar on a daily basis.

How is GDM treated?

Those who develop gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

In most cases, there are no symptoms.

A blood sugar test during pregnancy is used to make a diagnosis.

Treatment strategies include daily blood sugar monitoring, a healthy diet, exercise, and monitoring the baby.

If blood sugar is too high, medication is required.

More here: Gestational Diabetes | Diet and Symptoms | BellyBelly

28 weeks pregnant and anti-D

What is anti-D?

If your blood type is Rhesus D negative, you will be offered a medication called ‘anti-D immunoglobulin’.

The medication is given to prevent a condition called Rhesus disease. It is quite rare now, as pregnant women are offered blood tests to screen for their blood type early in pregnancy.

The anti-D injection is offered to Rh D negative mothers between 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy.

To find out more, be sure to read Rhesus Factor And Pregnancy: A Must Read If You Have Rh- Blood.

Why do I need a vaccine?

If your blood type is Rh D negative, it is given in case your baby’s blood type is Rhesus D positive, which can cause problems for future pregnancies.

The anti-D injection is offered between 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy.

To find out more, be sure to read Rhesus Factor And Pregnancy: A Must Read If You Have Rh- Blood.

28 weeks pregnant and weight gain

You can now feel the top of your uterus is well above your belly button – about 8.9 cm (3 ½ inches) or more.

Your weight gain is most likely between 7.7 and 10.8 kg (between 17 and 24 pounds).

Be kind to yourself, though. Some gain more or less than this, and if you’re over the recommended BMI it’s not the end of the world.

It’s important, however, to maintain a healthy diet, and do some low impact exercise.

Discuss weight concerns with your midwife or healthcare provider at your next appointment.

More here: What To Avoid During The First Trimester | BellyBelly

What you should not do at 28 weeks

• You should not do any heavy lifting at all
• Don’t eat food that is not good for your pregnancy
• Avoid stressing out!
• Never consent to anything that does not feel right for you or your baby
• Don’t worry about how your baby is lying in the womb

28 week pregnant twins

If you’re having twins, at week 28 you are likely to have multiple appointments with midwives, anesthetists, obstetricians and gynecologists.

You will probably be offered serial scanning to keep an eye on the twins.

Birth Planning is vital for all women but even more so when you are pregnant with twins.

Here are some questions to think about:

• Who will be attending or supporting you?
• Where are you planning to birth?
• Will you have a C-section or vaginal birth?
• Will you be able to have delayed cord clamping?
• Can you receive your own twins at the birth, rather than the doctor?
• How long between the birth of the twins?
• The date the twins will arrive – your choice or the twins’?
• What about vaccinations?
• How are the placenta or placentas to be birthed?
• Information is power – what do you need to know?
• Pain medication – epidural or water?

Do some research, and speak with a trusted care provider about all your options, before consenting to the birth plan.

You have the absolute right of autonomy over your body and your babies. If you do not agree, say ‘I do not consent’.

28 weeks pregnant and baby position

Your baby is likely to be settling head down around pregnancy week 28.

It’s not unusual, though, for the baby to change positions during the next few weeks.

Your own posture and body position can really help your baby find the optimal position for labor.

More here:  Optimal Fetal Positioning – How To Make Birth Easier

Pregnancy week 28 – baby movements

Your baby will develop an individual pattern of movement, and you can usually feel these movements from around 20 weeks.

The pattern is different for all fetuses. Some might move more in the evening; some more in the morning. Some kick all the time and some not so much. This pattern should not change.

The key thing is, if your pattern changes or you feel reduced movements from your baby, you need to contact your doctor for an assessment.

There is some outdated information out there. You might hear, for example, that if you have a cold drink, the baby will move, or that your baby’s movements slow down in the third trimester.

This information is not correct.

Babies do sleep, however, and will not be moving as much at this stage. Some have extended periods of sleep.

It’s difficult to know whether they are sleeping for a long time or whether there is a problem. Always check it out if you’re not sure.

More here: Baby Kicking – 9 Important Facts You Need To Know | BellyBelly

Baby at 28 weeks pregnant

Your growing baby is putting on a lot of fat now. At 28 weeks pregnancy, your baby weighs about 1.2 kg (2.8 pounds) and is about 36-40 cm long (14-16 inches)– about the size of a cabbage.

Your baby’s skin now looks a lot less wrinkled and, at 28 weeks your baby is looking a lot more like a newborn.

It’s a good time to consider what you’ll need to take to the hospital for your baby.

It’s not too early to start packing your bag. Start with items you know you will need.

Don’t worry too much about including everything right now.

You’ll have time to add more things as you think of them.

If you need daycare after the baby is born, now is the time to finalize your choices.

More here: Hospital Bag Checklist For Labour – What To Pack | BellyBelly