Pregnancy - Week 28

You are 27 weeks pregnant or in your 28th week of pregnancy (counting from the first day of your Last Menstrual Period). 

Keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary.  For variations and details, please talk to your doctor.

Week 27

Week 29

What’s happening to the baby?

• The brain's surface was smooth so far and is now developing grooves. The brain will add more tissue and the head will continue to grow.
• The baby is continuing to add layers of fat and becoming plumper.  
• The baby's eyelids are fully open and blinking.
• The baby might or might not be in a heads down position (babies exit the birth canal or are born in a heads down position typically). Your doctor can feel your abdomen and tell you what position your baby is in.  But do not worry if your baby is not in the heads down position, because he has enough time get into the final position.
• Your baby is about 37 centimetres long (Crown to heel length) and weighs about 900 grams.

What’s happening to mom?

• As you enter your third trimester, the period of rapid growth in your baby, you will notice many pregnancy woes again.  Your uterus is bulging and putting pressure on many body organs - your kidneys, urinary bladder, your diaphragm, stomach, lungs etc. Your pregnancy hormones are “acting up”. Your body has to work extra hard to support your growing baby. All these result in many discomforts like:
  • Leg cramps - Keep your legs warm at night. If you get leg cramps, massage your legs gently. Do gentle stretching exercises -  Gently, stretch your calf muscles and flex your ankle with your toe pointing upwards and then downwards.
  • Haemorrhoids or piles (bulges in your anus caused by increased blood supply and straining because of constipation). Prevent haemorrhoids by preventing constipation and staying regular. Relieve haemorrhoids by washing or cleaning well after a bowel movement, having a warm bath and Kegel exercises.
  • Breathlessness - Do not make sudden movements. Walk and climb stairs slowly. Prioritise your daily tasks and ask help when needed. Make sure you are eating a lot of iron-rich foods (green vegetables, pulses, beans, red meat etc.) and taking an iron supplement as prescribed by your doctor. Walking and fresh air can tone up your lungs.
  • Back aches - Do not sit or stand for long periods of time. Continue to walk to prevent backaches. Maintain good posture by standing up straight and walking. If your pain becomes unbearable, call your doctor. Ask your doctor for what medicines might be safe to take, if your backache is very bad.
  • Discuss these discomforts with your doctor.

Create your own customized week-by-week pregnancy calendar

Checklist for mom

• Make sure that you are continuing to have a nutritious diet. Have lots of protein because the baby and the baby’s brain are growing fast. Other than fish and meat, some good sources of protein for vegetarians are: milk, curds, paneer or cottage cheese and other milk products; beans and pulses (especially rajma, channa and other lentils); nuts and tofu (Soyabean cake -  available at many of the shops especially the big chain food shops or specialty shops).
• Make sure that you and your spouse have the numbers of your doctor and hospital on your mobiles and can contact each other easily in case of an emergency (early labour, pregnancy complication).
• Start researching “cord stem cell banking” or “cord blood banking” if you are considering it.  Talk to Parentree parents about the pros and cons. Select a cord bank. Ask Parentree members for pointers to cord banks and the criteria to use to select an appropriate cord bank.
• If you have not already, research childbirth classes and schedule these. Get input from your doctor and even talk to Parentree parents for references for classes. You need to have completed taking these classes by your 37th week. Make sure you take your spouse or labour support person (your mother, friend or other person who is close to you).  Childbirth classes can provide useful information on
  • Labour process, childbirth and pain relief options
  • Teach you breathing exercises and other tips to make labour and childbirth easier
  • Breastfeeding basics
  • Even basic newborn care
• Learn about labour and delivery and Importance of breastfeeding and breastfeeding tips (in Parentree's collection of pregnancy articles)

Ideas for dad

• Make sure that you and your wife have the number of your doctor and hospital on your mobiles and can contact each other easily in case of an emergency (early labour, pregnancy complication).
• Read Parentree articles on labour and delivery, and breastfeeding (in Parentree's collection of pregnancy articles).
• Sign up for childbirth class along with your wife. Prepare to be her labour coach if she desires. Do not be shy or squeamish. Your wife needs you at this crucial time and it can strengthen your bonds.  Many women find their husbands to be good labour coaches because women can be comfortable with them during the arduous process of labour.

Other tidbits

• Tip for nutrition: Substitute (some or all) of your white rice with brown or unpolished rice. Brown rice has more nutrients than white rice and is also an excellent source of fibre that can help you stay more regular as well. Remember to cook it differently from white rice and read the instructions on the packet. Brown rice typically needs more water than white rice and needs to cook for a longer time. It is also chewier than white rice and it might take you a little time to get used to it. But do not fret, many women become big fans of brown rice after eating for a few times. It is definitely “worth it”, so try for yourself.
• You might be having a baby shower during the 7th month. It might be an American style baby shower or even a traditional north Indian “godh bharai” or south Indian “valakaapu/seemantham” or “haldi kumkum”. It might be a surprise or you might know about it.  The idea is to make the mom-to-be feel special and shower her with gifts and pampering. You deserve it.
• Ask Parentree parents for their favourite tips for pregnancy discomforts.

Useful Parentree articles for this stage of pregnancy

• Shopping List for New Baby
• Pregnant Indian women - Healthy foods
• Pregnant Indian women - Meal planning
• Preclampsia or Pregnancy induced high blood pressure
• Kegel exercises for pregnant women
• Common pregnancy discomforts
• Preclampsia or Pregnancy induced high blood pressure
• Haemorrhoids
• Tips for dad or the support person - labour and childbirth
• Pregnancy - 7th month celebration (Godh Barai, Valakaapu, Seemantham, Dohal Jevan,Baby Shower)

Week 27

Week 29