Welcome to the third trimester. Your baby now has eyelashes, dreams in REM sleep, and can regulate their own body temperature slightly. Weekly weight gain speeds up and preparation for birth becomes real.
Common symptoms at 28 weeks pregnant
- Heartburn and reflux, especially after meals
- Sciatica or hip pain as the baby drops lower
- Colostrum (early milk) leaking from the breasts
- Frequent urination returning as the uterus presses down
- Fatigue as the extra weight adds up
Tips for week 28
- Attend your third-trimester check-in — most providers do a growth scan and Rh-immunoglobulin injection now if you are Rh-negative.
- Pack a rough hospital-bag list and stash a change of clothes in the car.
- Sleep with the head of the bed slightly elevated to reduce reflux.
- Practise slow, deep belly breathing — the same technique used in labour.
This week's checklist
- Attend the 28-week check-in
- Take the anti-D injection if Rh-negative
- Draft the hospital-bag list
Frequently asked questions
What is the anti-D injection?
If your blood type is Rh-negative and the baby’s is Rh-positive, anti-D at 28 weeks prevents your body from producing antibodies against future pregnancies.
How much weight should I have gained by 28 weeks?
For a healthy starting BMI, around 8-11 kg by 28 weeks is typical. Your provider will personalise the target based on your starting weight.
Is colostrum leakage normal?
Yes. Colostrum is thick and yellow — a sign your breasts are preparing for feeding. Nursing pads keep clothes comfortable.
When to call your provider
Most weeks of pregnancy pass without alarm, but a small set of symptoms always deserves urgent attention. Call your doctor or head to the nearest maternity emergency room straight away for any of the following:
- Heavy, bright-red vaginal bleeding or the passage of clots
- Severe headache with visual changes, upper-abdominal pain, or sudden facial swelling
- Any leaking of fluid before 37 weeks or a sudden gush of fluid at any week
- A clear drop in your baby’s usual pattern of kicks, or fewer than 10 movements in two hours during their active window
- Fever above 38 °C, painful urination, or one-sided calf swelling
Where week 28 sits in the third trimester
The third trimester begins at week 28 and ends at birth. Baby gains most of their weight now, senses sharpen, and your body prepares for labour with practice contractions and hormonal shifts. Sleep gets trickier and appointments become weekly by the end. Week 28 is one step closer to meeting your baby.
Educational content — not a substitute for medical care. Contact your obstetric provider urgently for heavy bleeding, severe headache with visual changes, one-sided leg swelling, upper-abdominal pain, reduced fetal movement, or any concern that feels wrong to you.