28 Weeks Pregnant: Third Trimester Begins - What to Expect

At 28 weeks, you're entering the third trimester of pregnancy. Your baby is about 14.80 inches long, weighing around 1 kg, and is practising breathing. Learn about baby's brain development, physical changes like stretch marks, and essential tips for week 28.

This week, you are embarking onto your third trimester. Can you believe you've made it this far?! It's nesting time. Relax and take some rest as this is an important stage in your baby's lung development. Read a book, drink chamomile tea or listen to some soothing music!

Your Baby's Development at 28 Weeks

Your baby is speedily growing up in your 28th week as it is putting on weight and filling out beautifully. Your baby continues to take practice breaths, breathing amniotic fluid in and out of his lungs and swallowing it as well. He can also suck, blink, roll, kick, grasp and hiccough.

Baby Measurement	Details at Week 28
Length (crown to heel)	About 14.80 inches
Weight	About 2.22 pounds (1 kg)
Brain	Developing grooves and indentations on surface
Hair	May be growing; varies from bald to full thatch
Skills	Can suck, blink, roll, kick, grasp, hiccough

Your baby's brain is changing. It's changing from being soft and smoothly rounded to having the familiar grooves and indentations on its surface. Your baby's hair may be growing. Some babies are born bald or with fine, almost invisible hair on their head, while others are born with a thatch of hair.

Physical Changes You Will Experience at 28 Weeks

Stretch marks - Could be appearing on your tummy, abdomen, breasts, hips and thighs now. There is nothing you can do to stop them from forming.
Reduced mobility - Squatting and bending down is getting harder. You'll discover easier ways of doing things in a hurry.
Workspace adjustments - If you have a desk job, organise your work station to suit you. Your computer chair may need to be adjusted a couple of times a day.
Colostrum production - An early form of breast milk which is a clear to yellowish coloured thick fluid, very high in antibodies. This is a sign that your breasts are starting early lactation and getting ready to produce milk for your baby.
Frequent urination - You could find yourself rushing to the toilet every five minutes because the baby is lying on top of your bladder.
Indigestion and heartburn - Watch out for these common symptoms. Things will improve as your body stops making high concentrations of relaxin and progesterone.
Back pain - Ease back pain with strengthening exercises. Check with an obstetric physiotherapist about targeting the muscles and joints causing you grief.

Symptom	What Helps
Stretch marks	Cannot be prevented; moisturize for comfort
Back pain	Strengthening exercises; consult obstetric physiotherapist
Frequent urination	Baby pressing on bladder; normal at this stage
Indigestion/heartburn	Will improve as relaxin and progesterone levels change
Reduced mobility	Wear maternity support belt if always on your feet

Tips for Week 28 of Pregnancy

Wear a maternity support belt - If you are always on your feet, a support belt can help with back pain and provide comfort.
Book a holiday - Seeking your last break? This is a great time to book a holiday before the baby is born.
Rest and relax - This is an important stage in your baby's lung development. Take time to relax, read a book, or listen to soothing music.

Kimberly-Clark India makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. This information should be used only as a guide and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or other health professional advice.

FAQs on Week 28

At 28 weeks, you are embarking onto your third trimester. This is an important stage in your baby's lung development, and your baby is putting on weight and growing quickly.

At 28 weeks, your baby is about 14.80 inches from crown to heel and weighs about 2.22 pounds or 1 kilogram. Your baby is also practising breathing and swallowing amniotic fluid.

At 28 weeks, stretch marks may appear on your tummy, breasts, hips, and thighs. You may also need to urinate often, have indigestion or heartburn, and notice early breast milk called colostrum.

You may find yourself rushing to the toilet every five minutes because the baby may be lying in a particularly prominent position on top of your bladder. This can happen during this stage of pregnancy.

Ease back pain with strengthening exercises and check with an obstetric physiotherapist about targeting the muscles and joints causing discomfort. If you are always on your feet, wear a maternity support belt.

Pregnancy week