What is happening in week 28
Doctors count pregnancy weeks from the first day of your last period, so week 28 sits in the third trimester (week 28 until birth). That is about 12 weeks to go until week 40, and about 6.4 months by a rough conversion. Week 28 starts the third trimester, with the baby about 37.6cm long.
Your baby
The NHS guide gives about 37.6cm, an aubergine. The baby’s heart rate has slowed to about 140 bpm and should be around 130 bpm at birth, compared with your resting rate of 80 to 85 bpm.
Your body
Heartburn, back strain and swelling in the ankles, feet and face are common, especially in hot weather. Nosebleeds can happen during sleep. Looser joints and ligaments may strain your back.
This week’s to-do
- Sleep on your side from now on; the NHS links back-sleeping to a higher stillbirth risk.
- Ask your doctor about newborn screening tests.
- The NHS says extra calories are not needed until the third trimester, which begins now, so ask your doctor what is right for you.
When to call
Call your doctor or hospital if you notice swelling with headaches, as it can signal pre-eclampsia, or if you have any bleeding.
Chaitanya Hospital in Kadapa, near RTC Bus Stand, Simhapuri Colony, provides delivery and emergency care 24/7. Our antenatal check-ups team can answer questions about your own pregnancy.
Use the week-by-week guide to jump to your week, or the due date calculator to work out your dates. Timings for scans and tests come from NHS guidance in the UK and can differ from your doctor’s schedule, so always follow your own doctor’s advice. This page is educational and not a substitute for a doctor.
Sources
Text on this page is paraphrased from the sources above. Sizes are averages and vary between babies.