Baby Update: Your Baby at 28 Weeks

Your baby’s eyes can sense light, and they are opening and closing them in the dim red light of the womb. Your baby-to-be is sticking their tongue out to sip the amniotic fluid that surrounds them. It takes about 45 minutes for flavors from your last meal to drift into the fluid around your baby (so you are truly eating for two, in that sense!) Your little one is also practicing the little coughs, hiccups, and sucking motions that they'll use after they are born. You bub's brain, which was previously smooth, is developing grooves that will become deeper and folded, like an adult brain.

Size of baby at 28 weeks pregnant: Your baby is as big as an eggplant.

Your baby is still a wee little thing, around 2 ¼ to 2 ½ pounds and 16" long. Still, if they were born this week, their survival rate would be 90%—and their odds keep getting better as the weeks go on.

By this point, some babies have already settled into a head-down birth position…getting ready for the big day!

28 Weeks is How Many Months?

If you’re 28 weeks pregnant, then you’re approximately 6 months into your pregnancy.

28 Weeks Pregnant:What to Expect

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) encourages exercise if your pregnancy is uncomplicated. And they don't mean just yoga—go ahead and do aerobic and strength conditioning activities the whole way through.

And ACOG now cautions against bed rest, stating that there is no medical evidence that it actually works to avoid pre-term labor. Plus, bed rest can come with plenty of negative side effects including muscle atrophy, bone loss, and an increased risk of blood clots and depression.

Despite this, some moms-to-be are still put on some form of bed rest during their pregnancy, most commonly prescribed if you're carrying multiples, your cervix is opening, etc.

Bottom line: While bed rest doesn't necessarily mean you'll be confined to your bed all day for the rest of your pregnancy, it's important to listen to your body (don't push yourself), stay hydrated, reduce stress, and get sleep—whether you are high-risk or not. And, check with your healthcare provider to discuss the risks and benefits of bed rest.

28 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Common symptoms of being 28 weeks pregnant include:

  • Bloating and gas
  • Faintness or dizziness
  • Stuffy nose
  • Bleeding gums
  • Symphysis pubis dysfunction
  • Mask of pregnancy
  • Frequent urination

28 Weeks Pregnant To-Do List

  • Schedule your prenatal appointments: From here on out, you'll visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks, then after 36 weeks, you'll visit every week. Because offices tend to be busy, and appointments book up quickly, take the time to schedule all these appointments now.

  • Decide on placenta encapsulation: Placentophagia, or the consumption of your placenta after birth, has gone from a niche practice to a celebrity-endorsed wellness trend. Proponents say that it helps them bounce back from labor faster. (Most evidence to support this is anecdotal.) If you’d like yours encapsulated, you will need to find someone to do it.

  • Start tracking fetal movements: Starting in the 3rd trimester, ACOG advises daily kick counting. It's pretty simple: pick a time when your baby is typically active, lay on your left side or sit in a supported position with your hand on your belly, and see how long it takes for you to feel 10 movement—kicks, turns, whatever. You should feel 10 movements within 2 hours, though most babies will move much more than that. If you aren't feeling much movement, or if the movement pattern deviates from the norm, call your care provider.

  • Up your iron: Anemia is common in pregnancy, especially during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters when your baby needs more iron for development. If you aren't currently taking an iron supplement, now is a good time to talk to your healthcare provider about adding one. The CDC recommends taking 30 mg daily during pregnancy, and your body will absorb it better if it's taken with vitamin C (a supplement or lemon juice squeezed on iron-rich foods include red meat, liver, beans, spinach and lentils). High-dosage iron supplements can cause constipation, so make sure to keep eating plenty of fiber and drinking lots of water.

    Pregnancy Quote of the Week

    She never quite leaves her children at home, even when she doesn't take them along.— Margaret Culkin Banning

    27 Weeks Pregnant | 29 Weeks Pregnant

    About Dr. Harvey Karp

    Dr. Harvey Karp, one of America’s most trusted pediatricians, is the founder of Happiest Baby and the inventor of the groundbreaking SNOO Smart Sleeper. After years of treating patients in Los Angeles, Dr. Karp vaulted to global prominence with the release of the bestselling Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler on the Block. His celebrated books and videos have since become standard pediatric practice, translated into more than 20 languages and have helped millions of parents. Dr. Karp’s landmark methods, including the 5 S’s for soothing babies, guide parents to understand and nurture their children and relieve stressful issues, like new-parent exhaustion, infant crying, and toddler tantrums.

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    Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.