Your Pregnancy: Week 28

For some moms-to-be, the end of pregnancy isn’t all that glamorous — and it doesn’t have to be. It’s an important time to make sure you’re taking care of yourself, so be sure to get as much rest (and drink as much water) as you can, and if you’re not feeling well, listen to your body. It’s telling you to slow down for a reason!

Here are a few symptoms that may be coming into play for you this week:

Constipation and bloating
Thanks to that beautiful little miracle you’re growing and all the pressure they’re putting on your intestines, you’re probably feeling a bit gassy and constipated at this point. Upping your fiber intake may help.

Fatigue
Being tired at 28 weeks pregnant is totally normal. Your body is expending a lot of energy helping your baby grow and keeping you functioning while carrying extra weight. You deserve a nap!

Leg Cramps
The extra strain on your body might be causing your legs to cramp — and even worse, this might happen at night and wake you out of a dead sleep. Stretching can help!

Leaking breasts
Your breasts are preparing the first milk you’ll be feeding your baby… and it can end up trickling out at the most inopportune of times. Wearing nipple pads — disposable or reusable — inside your bra can definitely fix that.

In week 28 of pregnancy, how many months along are you? Yay — you’re finally seven months pregnant!

It’s likely you won’t get an ultrasound this week, but that doesn’t mean your baby isn’t as busy as ever in there. At this point, baby is weighing between two to three pounds and beginning to open their eyes — and they’re likely practicing all those adorable facial expressions you’ll fall in love with in just a couple of months when you finally meet. Baby may also be head down already, but if they’re not, don’t worry — they have plenty of time to make it there.

If it feels like your bump is getting bigger by the day, that’s because it probably is. You may have gained around 20 pounds, more or less, and you’re probably feeling baby move around in there quite a bit. There’s nothing like those kicks straight to the bladder to wake us up in the middle of the night!

If you haven’t already started packing your hospital bag, it’s a good time to begin getting things together. Make a list of everything you want to bring, and start researching what other moms recommend. Comfortable clothes with elastic waist band, a robe, slippers, and a long phone cord are all good ideas — and maybe even your own pillow for extra comfort.

At 28 weeks pregnant, you might want to be doing the following:

• Make sure your maternity leave is finalized
• Book a newborn photographer
• Find a pediatrician
• Begin packing your hospital bag

Since this week, you’ll likely be tested for anemia, week 28 is a good time to make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron, as well as keeping your immunity up. You should aim to get about 85 mg of Vitamin C a day, which would can be found in foods like:

• Citrus fruits
• Strawberries
• Potatoes
• Cauliflower
• Pineapple
• Red peppers

While you should definitely call your OB-GYN anytime you feel something might be amiss, any unusual bleeding or cramping are both reasons to get a visit in ASAP, as well as experiencing symptoms like painful urination. And if that lightheadness you might be feeling leads to actual fainting or passing out, it’s important to call or stop into your emergency room, too.

Keep an eye out for any unusual swelling, since that could be a sign of preeclampsia, and it’s important to call your doctor if you have itchy palms or feet, which might mean that you’re experiencing cholestasis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and death compared to non-pregnant women. Furthermore, pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk of delivering a baby before 37 weeks (preterm birth) and other adverse ramifications.

Note: If you are visiting a medical professional during COVID, make sure to ask about the facility’s safety measures and confirm that they are following COVID protocols as indicated by the CDC.

If you’re pregnant with multiples, you probably already know this is a big milestone week for you. At 28 weeks pregnant, twin moms can rest a little easier knowing they’ve officially made it to the third trimester. The bad news: The stretch mark situation could be getting pretty dicey since your belly has grown so much, so if you’re feeling the itch, keeping the area moisturized can help.