When you are 28 weeks pregnant, you have probably gained between 15 and 25 pounds. When you enter the third trimester of pregnancy, you may experience sudden food cravings, mood swings, and quasi-labor pains. Abrupt movements could cause dizziness and loss of balance; therefore, you should accelerate yourself.
The circulatory system functions more efficiently due to the increased production of pregnancy hormones; however, you can also feel less balanced and less energetic. When you think about the upcoming labor, it’s possible that you’ll feel a little down. The best way to deal with these situations is to be positive and remember that the baby is very receptive to your feelings.
Symptoms experienced by a 28 weeks pregnant woman:
During pregnancy week 28, some women may experience leg cramps, shortness of breath, varicose veins, indigestion, heartburn, lower abdominal pain, and mild swelling of the feet and ankles.
Restless leg syndrome is a very annoying problem that begins late in pregnancy. This condition causes an urge to kick and move the legs and feet constantly, which can cause many restless nights during pregnancy. Don’t worry about the condition; it will get back to the normal stage once you give birth to your baby.
This week, you may also feel Braxton Hicks contractions as you prepare for labor. Also, there is a chance for the development of hemorrhoids.
Physical changes that occur in a 28 weeks pregnant woman:
As each week passes, you will become bigger. When you put on weight, the level of discomfort will also increase. Also, during this period, your little one’s kicks will become even stronger. If you notice any drop in the number of kicks, make sure to visit your healthcare provider because the absence of baby movements can indicate a significant problem.
Some women may notice a slight reduction in the baby’s movements. As each week passes, your baby will become bigger, and hence there will be less space in the placenta to make proper movements. With the increased belly size, stretch marks will become more apparent this week. Surrogacy
It is good news for a 28-week pregnant woman that the baby is settling into the correct position for childbirth. The bad news is that the baby’s head and increasing uterine weight put great pressure on your sciatic nerve, which runs through the lower part of the buttocks, legs, and back. This condition causes sharp and shooting pain, numbness, or tingling that starts in the back of the legs and travels down the back of the legs.
Fetal changes that occur in a 28 weeks pregnant woman:
When you are 28 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 15.25 inches long and weighs up to 2.4 pounds.
During pregnancy week 28, your baby is now developing eyelashes to go along with his or her eyebrows and eyes that are now open. You will notice the blinking of your baby’s eyes during the 28-week pregnancy ultrasound scan if the baby responds well to light. Symptoms of Pregnancy
The baby is also continuing to “fatten up.” Baby’s body now contains between 2 and 3 percent of body fat. Also, muscle tone is starting to progress in Week 28.
Baby’s adrenal gland starts the production of hormones called androgen and estrogen, which now stimulate your hormones to produce milk.
Still, you may notice a lot of wrinkles on the baby’s skin because of the constant immersion in amniotic fluid. From the third trimester on, your baby will become more sensitive to light, taste, sound, and smell. Actually, your baby is now able to distinguish between sweet and sour tastes and can also manifest a choice.
By this week, there will be a great improvement in your baby’s muscles. Now the baby’s brain has developed small groves and canals that provide a way to connect with all the brain tissues.
Some babies will have developed hair on their heads, while others will take more time to do so. According to some studies, babies will dream during the 28th week of pregnancy. Baby development
What care should be taken?
From this week onward, you will need to begin visiting your doctor every 2 weeks. If you haven’t had a blood test, now is probably a good time to do so. A blood test during this period is recommended because it can help measure the Rh factor, which is a component present in red blood cells. If you are Rh-negative and your baby is Rh positive, then there is a risk of some health problems for your baby, such as anemia and jaundice. This can be prevented by giving a vaccination known as Rh immune globulin when you are 28 weeks pregnant. The vaccine can be repeated after the delivery.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend a glucose tolerance test during the 28th week of pregnancy. If your glucose test indicates a high value, soon you will be having one more test because when your first test shows high levels, it doesn’t mean that there is a problem. When the second test results also show the same levels, you will need to be under a doctor’s supervision for the rest of your pregnancy.
Start knowing the facts about labor and delivery. Attending the childbirth classes can help you a lot with labor and delivery. You can consider taking the classes at the hospital or with a local instructor. These classes will help you know all the necessary information about the delivery. These classes will also teach you about breastfeeding, infant care, and CRP. Before signing up for any class, make sure that the instructor is certified by a national childbirth education organization.
Learn about the things involved in a c-section as well as a normal delivery. Know about the causes of c-sections. Cesarean section is one of the major abdominal surgeries that can be caused by a variety of factors, including fetal distress, repeated cesareans, dystocia, non-progressive labor, and breech presentation.
Staying alone in the house, especially during the third trimester, is strictly not recommended. Pregnant women should have family support during this time because they may feel sleepy, tired, and anxious about giving birth.
Have a wonderful pregnancy journey! Go on to know more about the exciting things during pregnancy week 29…