You’ve made it to week 28 of your pregnancy — 26 weeks from conception! Chance are you’re feeling good and finally looking obviously pregnant to your friends and family. Let’s talk about baby weight and common pregnancy symptoms at week 28.
Week 28 Pregnancy: Baby Weight
The third trimester is the “growth” period of your pregnancy, and you can expect your baby and belly to drastically grow in size and shape over the next several weeks. At 28 weeks, your baby is about 14 to 15 inches long from crown to heel. She weighs up to 2 lbs, 12 ounces (1).
As moms, we continue to put on the baby weight, too! Your swollen belly is now the happy center of attention in every crowd. You’ve likely gained between 17 and 24 pounds. Plan to gain an average of .8 – 1 pound per week from now until the end of your pregnancy. Your uterus is about 3 3/4 inches above your belly button — about 11 inches from the pubic symphysis to the top of the uterus (2).
Week 28 Pregnancy: Baby’s Development
At week 28 your little one is making some exciting developmental leaps and bounds, such as:
- Eyes begin to open and close
- Surfactant needed for breathing at birth is formed
- Baby is two-thirds his final size
- Babies born at this point usually survive outside the womb (1)
Week 28 Pregnancy: Symptoms
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are varicose veins that occur in the lower rectum and anus. They can occur during pregnancy as the weight of the baby interferes with your blood circulation. Another contributing factor is the straining that accompanies constipation–one more common hassle of pregnancy (1).
While most hemorrhoids disappear within a month of giving birth, they can be uncomfortable or even painful in the meantime. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include itching, swelling, stinging, and bleeding, especially during a bowel movement. Try the following tips to prevent or decrease the discomfort of hemorrhoids (4):
- Avoid constipation by drinking plenty of water and eating a high fiber diet
- Do Kegel exercises and focus on the muscles around the anus
- Use witch hazel pads on the hemorrhoids
- Try to avoid heavy lifting or straining
Check back in another week to learn all about week 29 of your pregnancy!
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References:
(1) Ladewig, P.A., London, M.L., Davidson, M.R. (2006). Contemporary Maternal-Newborn Nursing Care, 6th edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ.
(2) Glade, B.C., Schuler, J. (2011). Your Pregnancy Week by Week, 7th edition. First Da Capo Press.
(3) The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2010). Your Pregnancy and Childbirth Month to Month, 5th edition.
(4) Simkin, P., Whalley, J., Keppler, A. (2010). Pregnancy Childbirth and the Newborn. 4th Edition. Meadowbrook Press. New York.
