28 Weeks Pregnant - Pregnancy Calendar

At 28 weeks pregnant, you’re almost into your third trimester. This is the stage of your pregnancy whereby you and your baby will rapidly progress towards the expected date of delivery. Although you may not think so, time really does fly in the last 12 weeks or so.

Many women really being to feel the increasing weight gain but, at the same time, they can see that it really won't be long before they finally get to meet their baby. Their pregnant belly is more obvious, the presence of their baby equally so.

As time passes, every pregnancy becomes more interesting, albeit heavier(!) and no matter who you are or where you are, there are still plenty of things to plan, appointments to attend and nurseries to decorate!

Now that you've reached 28 weeks pregnant, hopefully you’re aware of how far you and your baby have come and that the following weeks are the last leg. I’m not saying they’re going to be the easiest part of the pregnancy journey but be assured that the moment your baby is placed in your arms, all the backaches, swollen feet and nausea will be more than worth it!

At or around this stage, lots of women start to feel twinges, directly below their uterus. Often, a similar twinge can be felt in the lower back area. This is simply related to the size of your baby and the fact that he may be pressing on your sciatic nerve (in your back) or jiggling around (literally) above the neck of your womb.

Both are perfectly normal (if a little uncomfortable) and unless you’re in mild to moderate pain, it’s generally nothing to worry about. My last pregnancy involved a back-brace type of support – because my daughter was a big baby and rarely kept still for long – inevitably a lot of her movements involved my sciatic nerves being constantly prodded (or poked) which in turn meant I had a lot of back trouble.

Despite that, she was delivered perfectly healthy and neither I nor my back were the worse for wear. Probably what’s bothering you more right now is the constant need to urinate. As with previous weeks, there’s little or nothing that you can do to alter this aspect of your pregnancy. If you drink less, you’ll need to empty your bladder less – but then you run the risk of becoming hydrated.

At 28 weeks pregnant (or here about), you may notice that your breasts are losing a little fluid – probably quite watery and a little sticky – and this will be colostrum. This is perfectly normal, as it’s a sign that your breasts are beginning to produce milk for when your baby arrives. Some women notice it earlier, some later and others not until the last moment.

It terms of your weight and size, week to week you’ll be growing larger and probably feeling more and more awkward – relating to getting up from a sitting position or when arising from your bed and so on. I remember working out (by this stage) that deep set chairs were often best avoided, otherwise I’d have to do a little side to side shuffling in order to stand up. That said, I found that stuffing a cushion in the small of my back was often helpful (as well as supportive) and leaning to one side or the other more comfortable.

Fetal Development

At the 28 weeks pregnant stage, your baby may weigh around 2 pounds or more and a lot of his movements will feel quite vigorous. His bones are now strengthening up and all his major organs are now working well - with the exception of his lungs. They’re still immature at this stage though they are catching up – the air sacs are still not developed and his lungs will be filled with amniotic fluid.

You may be surprised to know that your baby can detect light – and either move towards or away from it. He continues to lay down fat around his body and is slowly beginning to ‘fill out’. He will be losing the wrinkled appearance that he’s had in previous weeks due to the lack of fat layers underneath his skin.

I'm 28 Weeks Pregnant –Things To Do

As you’re 28 weeks pregnant, perhaps a baby shower is on the horizon? Hopefully it will be and meeting with friends and family to celebrate your babies’ impending arrival will be a welcome interlude in your pregnancy. You’ll probably have days when you feel a bit out of sorts – for many women it’s the little things, like the weight gain, aches and pains or just the lack of freedom to jump up and run around like you did before your ‘bump’ got so big.

If that’s the case, rest assured that it will all be over before you know it and you’ll soon be resting with your perfect little bundle in your arms, with the whole nine months behind you. Final word – take it easy!

© Andria Thompson - Social Care Professional