28 Weeks Pregnant

Baby's Development This Week

Welcome to the third trimester! Your baby is now about the size of an eggplant and is starting to look much like they will at birth. Their eyes can now open and close, and they have developed eyelashes. Their brain is developing billions of new neurons, and they are starting to store body fat in preparation for life outside the womb.

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  The fetus can blink and has developed eyelashes.
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  REM sleep begins — the baby may be dreaming.
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  The brain triples in weight during the third trimester.
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  Lungs mature enough for potential survival outside the womb with NICU support.
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  Body fat increases, smoothing wrinkled skin.
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  About 37.6cm — the size of a large eggplant.

Your Symptoms at Week 28

As you enter the final stretch, you might feel more 'crowded' as the baby takes up more space. Heartburn, leg cramps, and mild swelling in your ankles are common now. It's a great time to start counting your baby's kicks to get a sense of their normal activity patterns, and you might notice your first Braxton Hicks contractions as your body begins its long-term preparation for labor.

Week 28 Checklist

• ✓Begin formal kick counts — 10 movements in 2 hours, twice daily (essential)
• ✓Complete Tdap vaccine if not done (essential)
• ✓Finalize your birth plan (recommended)
• ✓Install the car seat (many fire stations offer free checks) (recommended)
• ✓Prenatal visits increase to every 2 weeks now (essential)

Nutrition in the Third Trimester

By the third trimester, your baby’s growth is at its fastest, and it’s common for appetite, digestion, and comfortable meal sizes to shift again as the growing uterus puts more pressure on the stomach. Many people find smaller, more frequent meals more comfortable than large ones during this stage, and heartburn becomes more common as a result of this physical pressure.

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  Continue your prenatal vitamin through the end of pregnancy — some providers also recommend starting or adjusting iron supplementation in the third trimester depending on bloodwork.
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  Smaller, more frequent meals can ease the heartburn and fullness that often become more pronounced as the uterus takes up more abdominal space.
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  Stay well hydrated — fluid needs remain elevated, and dehydration can contribute to Braxton Hicks contractions.
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  Continue prioritizing protein, iron, and calcium, which remain important for your baby’s rapid growth in the final weeks.
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  Some people find preparing and freezing meals ahead of delivery useful, since appetite and energy for cooking can fluctuate in these final weeks.
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  Continue avoiding alcohol, raw/undercooked proteins, unpasteurized dairy, and high-mercury fish through the end of pregnancy.

Staying Active in the Third Trimester

Exercise in the third trimester often needs to be scaled back in intensity as the belly grows larger and balance becomes more of a factor, but staying appropriately active (if cleared by your provider) can still help with sleep, mood, and physical comfort in these final weeks. Walking and prenatal-specific stretching or yoga are commonly well-tolerated options. Pay attention to your body’s signals more than usual here — this is a stage where providers generally recommend erring toward caution and lower intensity rather than pushing to maintain a pre-pregnancy pace.

For Partners: Supporting the Third Trimester

The final stretch of pregnancy often brings physical discomfort, disrupted sleep, and anticipation (or anxiety) about labor — partners can help by taking on more of the physical tasks around the house, being flexible and present as due-date logistics come together, and learning what to expect during labor so they can be a more active, informed support during delivery. This is also a good time to finalize practical plans together: the route to the hospital or birth center, who to call, and what the first hours after birth might look like.

Frequently Asked Questions