Week 28
of pregnancy

If you are 28 weeks pregnant, congratulations! You are now officially in the third trimester and your baby is continuing to grow and develop quickly. This article will provide you with information on what happens at 28 weeks pregnant, including the symptoms you may experience, your baby’s development, and tips and advice on how to prepare for the upcoming birth. Read on and find out what you need to know to get ready for your little one’s arrival.

Highlights at 28 Weeks Pregnant

Here's what may be happening for you and your baby at 28 weeks pregnant:

• Not only can your little one open and close their eyes now, but they also have little eyelashes.

• Your baby may be moving around and changing positions a lot at 28 weeks pregnant and over the next few weeks—prepare for some little somersaults!

• Now might be a good time to start counting those little kicks.

• Your growing baby and bump may feel heavy and cause some aches and fatigue around 28 weeks pregnant. Remember to take some time to rest and relax now.

• You might consider creating a baby name short list with all your favorites. If you need more ideas, try our fun Baby Name Generator below:

28 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

Welcome to the third trimester! At 28 weeks pregnant, you have some exciting baby developments in store, including the following:

• Your little one is now able to open and close their eyes. They may even have some eyelashes!

• Your baby’s brain is still developing, but the central nervous system has developed enough to allow your baby to begin to control their body temperature.

• When you’re 28 weeks pregnant, your baby’s position in the uterus could be with their head facing down—or with their buttocks, feet, or both pointed down, known as the breech presentation.

• Your healthcare provider may be able to tell you which direction your baby is facing if you have an ultrasound at 28 weeks pregnant or at your next appointment, but don’t worry if your little one has assumed the breech presentation or another unusual position. Over the next few weeks, they’ll likely turn themselves around.

• You may decide to begin tracking your baby’s movements (more on this later) at 28 weeks pregnant. You might find they’re more active when you’re resting or after a meal. Think of counting those little kicks as one of your first bonding experiences!

How Many Months Is 28 Weeks Pregnant?

How far along is 28 weeks pregnant? It’s natural to wonder what month you’re in at 28 weeks pregnant. The 40 weeks of pregnancy don’t fit precisely into 9 months; however, you’re often considered to be at the beginning of your seventh month when you’re 28 weeks pregnant.

So, when does the third trimester start—at 27 or 28 weeks pregnant? Although there’s no standard beginning point, 28 weeks is generally accepted as first week of the third trimester.

Baby's Size at 28 Weeks Pregnant

How big is a baby at 28 weeks? At 28 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a head of lettuce, weighing about 2 and 1/4 pounds and measuring about 10 inches long, crown to rump.

Your Baby: What Does 28 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

Check out the illustration below for a glimpse of what your baby may look like this week. Snug as a bug!

Your Body at 28 Weeks Pregnant

As you start the third trimester, keep in mind that you and your baby still have some growing to do. Your expanding belly bump at 28 weeks pregnant may get in the way at times, and throughout the remaining weeks, you might find yourself getting tired more easily. Your body is doing a great (and tough) job of providing a home for your little one as they continue to grow and develop during these final months and weeks.

Continue paying attention to your diet by eating healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. Eating well may also help keep your energy levels up if you’ve been feeling worn out.

If this is recommended by your healthcare provider, take prenatal vitamins or supplements to make sure you’re getting enough calcium and iron.

Finally, continuing to exercise (moderately, and as your healthcare provider suggests) will help boost sagging energy levels. If you’re concerned about your weight gain at 28 weeks pregnant, check in with your provider to make sure your weight is increasing at a healthy rate. You can also try out our Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator below:

28 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 28 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Back pain. Brace yourself, because lower back pain comes with the territory for many pregnant people, especially in the last trimester. To prepare for labor and delivery, the joints and ligaments in your pelvis start to loosen, which sometimes causes lower back and pelvic pain. You may notice these pains when taking a flight of stairs or getting in or out of your car. As your body expands, your center of gravity shifts and your posture changes, often straining your back muscles. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about back, pelvic, or hip pain. Try wearing low-heeled, supportive shoes, and stay off your feet whenever possible. You can also place a pillow behind you when sitting in a chair. You can take some comfort in the fact that these symptoms usually subside after you give birth.

• Shortness of breath. As your uterus expands, your abdominal organs start to get a little crowded. Your stomach and diaphragm can place pressure on your lungs, making it more difficult to take deep breaths. Don’t worry, though. Your baby is getting plenty of air, even if it feels like you’re not. If you find yourself out of breath, try to be mindful of your posture. Standing up straight can give your lungs a bit more room to expand, and you may find breathing becomes easier.

• Hemorrhoids. Your ever-growing uterus also puts pressure on veins, which can sometimes lead to painful or itchy varicose veins in your rectal area—which are hemorrhoids. If you’re also suffering from constipation, the strain on your bowels can make hemorrhoids worse. To help keep hemorrhoids at bay, make sure to stay hydrated and include plenty of fiber in your diet. Choose high-fiber foods such as fruits, veggies, and whole-grain bread or cereal. If hemorrhoids do strike, soaking in a warm bath may relieve some of the discomfort. Ask your healthcare provider for further treatment recommendations.

• Braxton Hicks contractions. These so-called practice contractions are one way your body prepares to give birth and can strike at any time. However, they don’t open your cervix, so you’re not actually going into labor. You may feel sensations ranging from a slight tightness in your abdomen to something more painful. These contractions are more likely to hit in the evening or after physical activity like exercise or sex. They can get stronger as your pregnancy progresses, and sometimes it can be tricky to tell whether you’re experiencing Braxton Hicks or true labor contractions. If you have any concerns about what you’re experiencing, ask your healthcare provider for advice.

• Frequent urination. You might have encountered this pesky symptom early in your pregnancy, and it can return in the third trimester. In the early weeks of your pregnancy, your urge to pee was caused by the increase of blood in your body, causing your kidneys to work overtime. Frequent urination in the third trimester is likely due to your growing baby putting pressure on your bladder. Don’t cut back on water and other fluids, but you could try wearing a panty liner if you’re dealing with any bladder leakage.

How Big Is a Pregnant Belly at 28 Weeks?

Your baby is growing rapidly as you enter your third trimester, and this will increase the size and weight of your uterus at 28 weeks pregnant and onwards. Some side effects of this growth, such as body aches and pains, may be more noticeable right now.

If your healthcare provider measures your fundal height (the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus) this week, it’s likely to be around 28 centimeters—give or take a centimeter or two.

What Does 28 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

For an idea of what your belly might look like at around 28 weeks pregnant, check out the image below.

28 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

Here are some things you might consider at 28 weeks pregnant:

• Your healthcare provider may suggest that 28 weeks pregnant is a good time to start “kick counting”. Here's one way to do this: Sit in a comfortable spot with your hands on your abdomen. Check the time when you start, and then wait until you feel 10 kicks, rolls, or other movements. Make sure you’re counting good, strong fetal movements, and not your baby’s hiccups, for example. At 28 weeks pregnant, if you don’t feel at least 10 baby movements in two hours, contact your healthcare provider. If you don’t feel much movement, your little one could simply be sleeping. It’s usually helpful to choose a time of day when your baby is more active, such as after a meal. Download our fetal movement tracker to help you keep up with your little one’s moves.

• Are you practicing your Kegel exercises? It’s never too late to get started! If you’re struggling with bladder leakage, Kegels are a great way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and improve bladder control. Some pregnant people find that they have urine leakage after giving birth, and Kegel exercises can help strengthen these pelvic muscles and help get things back to normal sooner. Read more about Kegel exercises and their benefits.

• Think about the type of birth control you may want to use after your baby is born, and discuss your options with your healthcare provider. Some birth control methods may not be suitable to use while breastfeeding, so talk to your provider, who will give you specific advice.

• As your bump gets bigger you might like to ask your healthcare provider about comfortable and safe sleeping positions. You might also like to buy a pregnancy pillow, which can help support your body in all the right places.

• If you have an unusually strong urge to clean or organize your home now or in the coming weeks, it could be what’s called the “nesting” instinct that some experience during the second and third trimesters. If you experience it, it’s OK to give in, whether that means cooking batches of food to freeze for later, cleaning, or getting everything ready in your baby’s nursery. Just don’t overdo it—take plenty of time to rest and relax, and make sure you conserve your energy for all that’s to come.

• Have you picked out your favorite baby names yet? If you’re still looking for inspiration, we have a variety of lists to help you, including:

  • Top Japanese Girl Names

  • Italian Boy Names

  • Gender-Neutral Baby Names

  • And names from every letter of the alphabet, including girl names starting with the letter A and boy names starting with the letter A.

28 Weeks Pregnant: Questions for Your Healthcare Provider

Don’t hesitate to raise any questions you may have or reach out for advice at 28 weeks pregnant and throughout your entire pregnancy journey—your provider is always there for you. Here are a few questions to ask at your 28-week appointment:

• Am I at risk of gestational diabetes?

• Is a decrease in a baby’s movement normal around 28 weeks pregnant? What causes a baby to move less?

• What should I include in my birth plan?

• If I was diagnosed with placenta previa earlier in my pregnancy, is there anything I should look out for in the coming weeks and months?

• Is there anything I can do to help prevent stretch marks?

• Are there any changes I should make at work now that I'm in the third trimester? When should I stop working? (You can do some reading on working while pregnant here.)

28 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

Check out our short list of to-dos for 28 weeks pregnant:

☐ Make sure you and your partner have your healthcare provider’s contact information (including after-hours phone numbers) handy. Save it to your phones, and stick it on the fridge.

☐ Find out who your provider’s backup practitioner is, and make sure you also have the that person’s contact details.

☐ Check with your insurance company about ordering a breast pump and how to get support for breastfeeding.

☐ Sign up for a childbirth or breastfeeding class if you haven’t already. Your healthcare provider can share more info about what may be available in your area.

☐ As you browse baby gear, you’ll notice just how many options you have. It can be pretty overwhelming! We surveyed thousands of Pampers Parents so that you could get a list of the best baby products, whether you’re looking for a crib, car seat, stroller, or any of the other essentials you’ll need. If you have some spare time this week, check out the lists of best baby products—as voted by Pampers Parents—before you make a purchase.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}