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28 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby, Your Body and What to Do
The third trimester begins. Your baby has eyelashes, a busy brain and a regular pattern of movement.
Before you use this guide: Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period. Sizes are rough averages, and healthy babies vary. This is general information, not an individual medical assessment, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor or midwife.
How your baby is growing
Your baby now weighs around 1 kg. The eyes can open and close and have eyelashes. The brain is growing quickly and developing grooves and folds. The lungs are making surfactant, and a baby born now has a good chance of survival with specialist care, although a long stay in neonatal intensive care would be likely.
Your baby has regular periods of sleeping and being awake, and you should feel movements every day. Most babies are still moving freely and may be head up or head down.
How you may be feeling
Your bump is bigger, and you may feel breathless, with heartburn, backache and swollen ankles. It can be hard to sleep, and you may need the toilet more often. Your hands and feet may feel puffy.
Your to-do list for week 28
- From now on, go to sleep on your side rather than your back. Going to sleep on your back in late pregnancy is linked with a higher risk of stillbirth.
- Learn your baby's usual pattern of movements, and contact your maternity unit if it changes. There is no set number of kicks you should feel.
- Ask about your 28-week blood tests, anti-D injections if you are Rhesus negative, and any vaccines on offer, such as whooping cough, flu and RSV.
- Start planning antenatal classes if you have not already.
When to ask for help
Reduced or changed movement is never something to wait out. Call your maternity unit or midwife straight away, day or night.
For heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache with vision changes, or a baby who is moving less than usual, do not wait for your next appointment. Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away. Our guide to pregnancy warning signs has more detail.
Not sure which week you are in? Use the due-date calculator to estimate your due date and current week.
Useful at this stage: pregnancy weight gain calculator, baby shower planner and baby movement counter.
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- NHS: Pregnancy — Pregnancy care, common symptoms, screening and complications.
- NHS: Week-by-week pregnancy guide — Pregnancy development and care by week.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.