Third trimester
28 weeks pregnant
The third trimester begins. The fetus is around the size of an aubergine, can blink, and has begun REM sleep — which means, as far as anyone can tell, it is dreaming.
Size of
eggplant
Length
37 cm
Weight
1000 g
Your baby at 28 weeks
Eyes can blink and the fetus has periods of REM sleep. Lungs are producing surfactant rapidly, which substantially improves the outlook if birth happened early.
Fat continues accumulating and the fetus is gaining weight steadily, roughly 200g a week from here.
The fetus may begin settling into a head-down position, though plenty move around for weeks yet.
How you may be feeling
Appointments typically become every two weeks. Blood tests for anaemia are common at this stage, and anti-D is offered if you are rhesus negative.
Daily movement monitoring usually begins in earnest now. The guidance is to know your baby’s pattern rather than count to a particular number.
Common symptoms around week 28
- More frequent Braxton Hicks
- Shortness of breath
- Heartburn
- Trouble sleeping
- Swelling in feet and hands
Appointments and tests around now
Anti-D injection if rhesus negative, blood tests for anaemia, and more frequent appointments. Antenatal classes typically run from around now.
What is normal, and what varies
Babies born at 28 weeks have substantially better outcomes than even a few weeks earlier, thanks largely to surfactant production. Every additional week continues to improve things.
Worth doing this week
Start daily movement awareness
Pay attention at the time of day your baby is usually most active. A change from that pattern is what matters, not a specific count.
Never wait on reduced movement
This is the single most important thing in the third trimester. Call the same day, at any hour. Maternity units expect these calls and would far rather check.
Start the hospital bag
Not urgent yet, but doing it gradually beats doing it in a hurry.
Looking ahead
Next week the brain develops rapidly and the fetus continues gaining weight quickly.
Nearby weeks
Not sure which week you are in? The week tracker works it out from the first day of your last period, and the due date calculator gives you an estimated due date.