Congratulations: At week 28, you have reached the third and final trimester of your pregnancy. There are now only 12 weeks left until birth, and your body is slowly preparing for it. Your baby's lungs continue to mature with each passing week so that they can take their first breath in three months. At the same time, your belly is growing faster and faster, and you are gaining significant weight.
In our pregnancy calendar, you will find all the important information about week 28. We summarize for you which developmental steps your baby goes through this week and how much weight and height they gain. You will also find out which physical changes are coming your way and which symptoms you might have to struggle with. In the process, we introduce you to the innovative automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep.
How your baby develops in the 28th week of pregnancy
In the third trimester, your baby will develop significantly. The focus is primarily on weight gain. At the same time, however, the lungs and other important organs continue to develop. We summarize for you how your baby develops in the 28th week of your pregnancy:
Lung maturation:
Your baby is now producing surfactant. This is a substance that coats the surface of the lungs. This prevents the alveoli from sticking together and ensures your baby will be able to breathe after birth. From week 35, your baby has produced enough surfactant to be able to breathe independently without the addition of the substance.
Perception:
In week 28, your baby already perceives what is happening outside your belly. Since they already perceive ambient noises, you can now talk to them more or play music for them. Expectant fathers or siblings should also start talking to the baby now.
Fetal movements:
Similar to previous weeks, your baby will likely be quite active in week 28. There is still enough space for them to move easily in your uterus. This trains their muscles and reflexes.
Opening the eyes:
Your baby is now able to open and close their eyes. When they sleep, they already close their eyes. Your baby may also already react to whether it is light or dark.
Immune system:
Immune defense substances reach your baby via your blood and the placenta. They absorb these – this slowly develops your baby's immune system. Later, your baby will be able to produce antibodies themselves to protect against pathogens.
Even if your baby won't be born for another three months, they are developing rapidly in the seventh month of pregnancy. In the event of a premature birth, their chance of survival is already very high. Preemies born in week 28 still need intensive care, but they usually develop very well and will have no permanent damage.
If you want to prepare everything before the birth, you should already think about where your baby should sleep. We recommend the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep: You place your baby in the cozy hammock. The intelligent automatic baby hammock motor gently rocks them to sleep and adapts its movements to your baby's needs. The automatic baby hammock makes it easier to fall asleep and at the same time promotes sleeping through the night.
Size & weight in the 28th week of pregnancy
Your baby has also reached a milestone this week or last: they now weigh about 1 kilogram. In week 28, the weight of babies is approximately 1,000 to 1,100 grams. This makes their weight equivalent to a bag of flour.
Of course, your baby is also growing in length. They now measure 36 to 37 centimeters (crown-to-heel length). This makes your baby about as big as a head of lettuce or a leek.
If your gynecologist measures different values, this is no cause for concern at first. Not all babies grow at the same pace. Some are larger, others perhaps a bit lighter. Keep in mind that genetic reasons are often the cause, so you don't need to worry.
How the expectant mom's body changes in week 28
You have now arrived in the 28th week of your pregnancy and will notice various changes in your body. You have surely already noticed that your belly is now growing much faster. Your own weight increases as a result.
Stretch marks, also known as striae gravidarum, may now appear. They occur particularly on the belly, breasts, and thighs. You can try to prevent them with creams and oils. However, you probably won't be able to prevent them entirely. Wear them with pride: your body is doing great things.
Due to your growing belly, your center of gravity changes. In addition, you probably have a different body awareness now. Therefore, it is best to wear flat shoes and try to avoid hectic situations. Otherwise, you might bump into a table or trip over your own feet.
You are now pregnant in the seventh month and probably can't wait to finally hold your baby in your arms. In the coming three months, you should prepare everything for your baby's arrival. Feel free to take a look at the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep: Our clever sleep aid can reduce stress for babies and parents. It improves your baby's sleep quality and thus promotes their development.
Heartburn & shortness of breath: Symptoms in week 28
As your pregnancy progresses, new symptoms appear that may trouble you. You are now short of breath and have difficulty taking deep breaths. This is because the uterus pushes your organs upwards. In addition, fluid can collect in your lungs.
At the same time, you also feel other symptoms due to the pressure of the uterus. This includes heartburn, for example. Frequent urge to urinate, caused by the pressure on your bladder, can also be disruptive in everyday life. However, you should still make sure to drink enough.
Many pregnant women already suffer from back pain in week 28. This is triggered by your baby's weight. Your muscles are heavily strained, which will increase significantly in the coming weeks. Try to relax and strengthen them with exercises.
It is also not uncommon for pregnant women to suffer from heavy legs and water retention. Sleep problems also occur frequently: your baby is particularly active at night, and your large baby bump makes it difficult to find a suitable sleeping position.
In pregnancy week 28, you might discover the first fluid in your bra. This is colostrum, a type of pre-milk that your baby will feed on after birth. How much milk leaks out varies from woman to woman.
What else is important in the 28th week of your pregnancy
You have been pregnant for 28 weeks now, and your body has adapted to the new situation. Nevertheless, you should continue to take care of yourself. This includes, for example, a balanced diet. Try to eat as healthily as possible and consume only a few sweets. "Eating for two" is not necessary.
The healthier you are as an expectant mother, the better it is for your baby. Therefore, you should also try to keep fit, for example through pregnancy yoga or light walks.
Slowly but surely, you should also start packing your hospital bag. Get all the things you need for your hospital stay. Base this on the season for which the birth is scheduled and don't forget to pack enough clothes for yourself as well.
If you want to deal with further preparations, you can also take a look at the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep. It offers your baby a cozy nest in which they can sleep restfully. It has already convinced more than 170,000 families and is recommended by midwives and osteopaths.
Automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep: Proven sleep aid with modern functions
All parents want their babies to be able to sleep restfully in order to develop as well as possible. However, many babies have difficulty finding sleep and sleeping through for several hours at a time. What can help you in this case is the proven automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep.
You place your baby in the safely designed hammock: there they lie snugly enclosed. This feeling is similar to that in the womb. Then you switch on the automatic baby hammock motor and your baby is gently rocked to sleep. This makes falling asleep easier and your baby can sleep through better.
That is why our automatic baby hammock is development-promoting and stress-reducing. If your baby sleeps well, then you as parents are also more relaxed and can focus fully on your baby.
