It's the official starting time of the tertiary trimester — congratulations!

You may non always feel like celebrating if yous're dealing with common week 28 symptoms like dorsum hurting and sciatica. Hopefully, though, yous're still fairly comfy now that yous're in calendar month 7 of pregnancy.

Baby is getting more than skilled past the day and can at present blink and even dream. And that's only the offset ...

Your Baby at Week 28

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It's week 28 and from hither on out there will start to be small differences in the rate of growth depending on your whether your baby-to-be is a boy or daughter — a bouncing blue bruiser is likely to grow bigger and heavier than a princess playing on team pink. Genetics and other factors besides weigh on how fast a baby grows and how big she will ultimately be on arrival.

So while on average, a 28-weeker is around two and a half pounds and almost 16 inches tall, your trivial i may currently exist longer, shorter, heavier, or less tubby. As long she continues to get good reports at those prenatal checkups, you tin remainder bodacious your baby's on the right track and in the right range for growth.

Your minute miracle has added some other trick to her repertoire…hiccupping. If you haven't yet, you lot'll not merely be able to experience hiccups on the within, as trivial rhythmic twitches — yous'll exist seeing them on the outside, as well, making your belly milkshake like a bowl of jelly. These tiny spasms are idea to be acquired by the sudden, irregular contraction of the immature diaphragm, which is still trying to gear up for life outside the womb by practicing the ins and outs of breathing.

Some babies hiccup several times a twenty-four hour period every day, others not so much — just you lot're jump to experience those adorable twitches every so often — and an ultrasound might pick that petty chest heaving from the hiccups, as well. Entertaining for you, and happily, not uncomfortable for baby.

Another activity that can be picked upwards: REM or rapid centre movement. Those tiny flutters of infant'south eyes suggests that she'southward is dreaming away, since REM is considered the "dream" phase of sleep — just there's no way of knowing what'southward on your petty 1's listen — or what, if anything, she might be dreaming of. What we practice know is that slumber cycles are coming at more regular times… pregnant that your sweet sleepyhead is developing a more regular pattern of sleeping and wakefulness.

Trouble is, your on-the-go movements lull her to sleep during the day, keeping her awake and raring to go just when you're settling downwardly for the night. Notwithstanding, at that place's cipher more satisfying than feeling your amazing miracle summersault and stretch inside of you. Plus, every bit they say, baby's keeping y'all up with those antics now is good training for later on she'south born…and when every night's a nighttime to howl.

Want more satisfaction? Though the bun in your oven is far from being fully baked, her chances of survival outside the womb are at least 90 percent at this point.

At a Glance

Your little dreamer

Your baby begins to experience REM (rapid middle motility) sleep, which means it's very likely your piffling i is dreaming!

Baby can blink

So far, your baby's eyes have been shut tight. Now, your piffling sweetie can open up and close those beautiful optics, complete with brand new fluttering eyelashes.

Making faces

Fetuses frequently stick out their tongues at this age. No one is certain exactly why, but it'due south possible that your babe is tasting your amniotic fluid.

28 weeks significant is how many months?

If you're 28 weeks pregnant, y'all're in month 7 of your pregnancy. But 2 months left to go! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months and trimesters are cleaved down in pregnancy.

How big is my baby at 28 weeks?

Your little piece of work-in-progress now weighs nearly 2¼ pounds and is almost xv inches long when measured head to toe.

Infant'southward getting into position

Your baby is settling into the proper position for nascency, which volition be caput-down toward your trunk'southward nearest exit!

Infant is busy these days blinking — outside in the existent world, blinking is necessary to help proceed strange objects out of the eyes. That skill is just one of an already impressive repertoire of tricks she's working on, similar coughing, more than intense sucking, hiccupping and, peradventure most important, improve breathing.

Baby might be dreaming

Dreaming nearly your baby at 28 weeks pregnant? Your baby may be dreaming almost you lot too. Encephalon wave activity measured in a developing fetus shows different slumber cycles, including the rapid middle motility phase — the phase when dreaming occurs.

Your Torso at Calendar week 28

baby size at 28 weeks pregnant

Sciatica (tingling leg pain)

This is it — at 28 weeks pregnant, you lot're 2-thirds of the mode to the terminate line as y'all enter the third trimester. And what a difference a trimester makes!

Gone, nigh likely, are the days when you could phone call pregnancy "comfy" — that is, if yous ever did. Now, your infant'south kicking (or lack of) is keeping y'all upwards at nighttime and worried during the twenty-four hours, your feet may exist swollen, you're getting tired all over over again and your backache is a pain that just won't quit.

And even though she hasn't started crying nonetheless, it may seem like your baby'south getting on your fretfulness already — literally. As she gets settled into position for birth, your fiddling 1'due south head and your growing uterus may residue on the sciatic nervus in the lower part of your spine.

If that happens, y'all may feel sharp, shooting pain, tingling or numbness that starts in your buttocks and radiates downward the dorsum of your legs — otherwise known as sciatica. The pain of sciatica can be quite intense at times, and though information technology may pass if your baby shifts positions, it tin can also linger until you've delivered.

A heating pad, a warm tub, stretches or just some self-imposed bed remainder can help with the discomfort. So tin some complementary and alternative therapies.

Feeling sensitive (skin)?

Sensitive skin can surface during pregnancy — even in someone who's never had sensitive peel before. Some parts of the body may react because they're dry out and flaky, others because of oestrus rash or an external irritant, like the lotion yous've been using for the past 10 years, which is suddenly driving you lot crazy.

Typically the nearly sensitive spot is the belly, as it stretches. Other potential trouble spots include your hips and thighs.

Your raging hormones brand you lot more sensitive to contact with substances that might not normally impact you, such equally sunlight, rut, detergents, chlorine and even certain foods. And if you lot've got eczema, you lot can wait some major flare-ups — or if yous're very lucky, a ix-month respite.

For itchy spots, a dab of calamine lotion should do the fox. If any rash or irritation lasts longer than a couple of days, ask your practitioner about next steps. Avoid products that are laden with tons of additives, dyes or fragrance, any of which can exacerbate the trouble.

Pregnancy Symptoms Calendar week 28

Bloating and gas

Your growing uterus may exist putting extra pressure on your rectum, causing you lot to lose some control over the muscles in your rear. Add your sluggish digestive system to the equation — thank you to pregnancy hormones that relax intestinal muscles — and you may observe that you lot're specially gassy. Try to eat six small meals a day instead of three large ones so y'all don't overtax your digestive system. Read More

Faintness or dizziness

If you lot thought your days of feeling featherbrained were over after your starting time trimester, think over again. For some women, that bulging belly puts pressure on claret vessels, which reduces claret flow to the brain and causes dizziness. Go on claret circulating and pumping to your encephalon by drinking plenty of water each solar day. Read More

Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)

This weird pregnancy symptom develops when the hormone relaxin makes the ligaments in your pelvic joint as well relaxed and stretchy, causing the pelvic joint to go unstable. If this is causing you pain, inquire your practitioner about wearing a pelvic support chugalug, available online, which stabilizes the ligaments and helps keep the pelvic articulation in identify. Read More

Stuffy olfactory organ

High levels of estrogen and progesterone increase blood menses to the mucous membranes in your nose, causing them to neat. If your stuffy olfactory organ is making it hard for you to breathe at dark — or making yous snore — endeavour wearing a nasal strip at bedtime to open up upwards your nostrils. Read More

Bleeding gums

Inflamed and irritated gums are quite common during pregnancy since ramped-upwardly hormones may cause gums to swell and leave your mouth more vulnerable to leaner and plaque. When you brush your teeth, call up to brush your tongue as well as to minimize the amount of leaner in your mouth. Read More

Mask of pregnancy (melasma)

Pregnancy hormones tin can cause hyperpigmentation of the pare — especially if you have a darker complexion to brainstorm with. This can result in pronounced freckles or moles, a dark line down the heart of your breadbasket (linea nigra) or dark or chocolate-brown patches on your face called melasma. Don't worry — most discolorations fade a few months afterward giving nativity. Since sunlight can intensify hyperpigmentation, try to stay in the shade and put on sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. Read More than

Tips for Y'all This Calendar week

Have the circumcision talk

Before you got pregnant, you may not have thought too much virtually whether or not to circumcise a baby boy if yous had one. But if you've got a son on the fashion, it's a determination you'll take to brand — and it may be a catchy one if y'all don't have religious or cultural traditions guiding you.

If you lot're having a boy, yous may desire to think near this at present. Go your pediatrician's POV as well!

Find out your Rh status

Do you lot know if you're Rh positive or Rh negative? If not, it's important to find out.

The Rh factor is a protein found in most people'southward red blood cells. If you lot have it, y'all're Rh positive; if you lot don't have it, yous're Rh negative.

Unless you lot're significant, your condition usually doesn't matter much, but issues can occur if, for case, you're Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive.

In the case of Rh incompatibility, your allowed organization may view your baby's blood cells as "foreign" substances and mobilize an army of antibodies to set on them.

If you are Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive, you'll need a vaccine-similar injection of Rh-allowed globulin, known every bit RhoGAM, this calendar week to forbid the evolution of antibodies.

Ask about breast changes

Though finding a chest lump during pregnancy can be scary, residual assured it's more than than likely nothing to worry about. Having breast cancer during pregnancy is very rare, especially if yous're nether 35, co-ordinate to the American Cancer Lodge (ACS) — plus the many changes that are happening to your breasts while you're expecting tin cause them to feel much more lumpy, heavy and firm than you're used to.

Tender lumps are mutual during the third trimester, only still, they shouldn't be ignored. Enquire your provider for a breast test at your side by side checkup.

Up your iron

Babies absorb the majority of their iron stores during the third trimester, and so nosh on iron-rich foods like chicken, beans, spinach, tofu, beef and enriched cereals.

Apart from Popeye, vitamin C is atomic number 26'southward best bud since information technology can improve iron absorption. And then accept a drinking glass of OJ with that iron supplement during pregnancy, a side of red pepper with those shrimp or some fresh strawberries in your oat bran cereal.

Skip fish-oil supplements

Heard that fish oil supplements are the easiest way to pop your DHA — particularly if y'all're not a fatty-fish fan? While they may be a cinch to swallow, when y'all're significant, they're not always easy to keep down.

If you lot don't want to exist burping upward fish oil all day — because let'southward face up it, you're burping enough every bit it is — stick to a prenatal vitamin that already has DHA in it, or if that has the same effect, y'all may want to try a vegetarian DHA flaxseed supplement, which usually is easier on the aftertaste. Ask your doctor start earlier adding whatsoever supplement to your daily regimen.

Choosing a childbirth class

Now is a good time to inquiry childbirth classes. You tin cull a class at the hospital or with a local instructor, but sign up early then you tin finish several weeks before your due date. Enquire whether your form includes lessons on babe care, CPR and breastfeeding (it should).

Have special requirements? There are classes for second-timers who need to brush upwards on their techniques, classes for moms who are attempting a vaginal nativity afterward cesarean (VBAC) and classes designed for those expecting multiples. Many places also now offering virtual classes.

Whichever class you choose, brand sure your instructor is certified past a national childbirth education organization. And here's a bonus: Your insurance company may cover your tuition, so exist certain to submit your nib.

Schedule a infirmary tour

The offset of the third trimester (month 7) is a expert time to schedule a tour of the hospital or birthing center where yous'll be having your babe. If you've signed upwardly for childbirth classes and they're at the aforementioned place where you lot'll welcome your new arrival, check whether a tour volition exist included (it usually is).

You can also ask your practitioner near how and when to set one up. It's a good manner to get the lay of the country, and it helps to visualize where the magic volition happen!

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses just apparent sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic enquiry institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we go along our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

  • What to Expect When You lot're Expecting, fifth edition, Heidi Murkoff.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Finding a Breast Lump During Pregnancy, Feb 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, How to Salvage Breast Pain and Tenderness During Pregnancy, April 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Rh Factor Testing and Pregnancy, March 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, RhoGAM Shot for Rh Negative Moms During Pregnancy, March 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, How Much Iron Do Y'all Need During Pregnancy?, May 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Why Are Prenatal Vitamins And then Important?, April 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Your Guide to Birthing Classes, June 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Taking a Hospital (or Birthing Eye) Tour During Pregnancy, March 2021.
  • American Academy of Dermatology, Melasma: Overview, 2021.
  • American Academy of Pediatrics, Where We Stand: Circumcision, July 2014.
  • American Cancer Society, Finding Breast Cancer During Pregnancy, October 2019.
  • American Higher of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, How Your Fetus Grows in Pregnancy, August 2020.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, The Rh Gene, June 2020.
  • American Higher of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Commitment, April 2019.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Omega-3 Supplements: In Depth, May 2018.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, PLOS One, Eye Motility Activeness in Normal Human being Fetuses Betwixt 24 and 39 Weeks of Gestation, July 2017.
  • National Institutes of Wellness, National Library of Medicine, Rh Incompatibility, June 2021.
  • National Institutes of Wellness, National Library of Medicine, Sciatica, April 2021.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Your Baby in the Nascence Canal, June 2021.
  • U.Due south. Department of Health and Man Services, Role on Women's Health, Stages of Pregnancy, April 2019.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Homo Services, Office on Women's Wellness, Birthing, Breastfeeding, and Parenting Classes, January 2019.

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