In this article you will be able to read about everything related to being pregnant in week 28. You will find information about the baby's development, how the mother's body is changing and tips you may need along the way. At 28 weeks pregnant, the fetus is the size of a pineapple.

Baby: The fetus now weighs 1 kg!

The baby is now around 39 cm long and weighs about 1.1 kg! However, since week 21, all fetuses grow at different rates, so size and weight can vary by a few hundred grams from baby to baby. Do you think you have a smaller or larger baby in your belly?

Development

The baby is growing fast right now, but there is still plenty of room to move around in the womb. And that's a good thing, because the baby in the womb is supposed to gain at least two more kilograms before facing the world! The fetus is accumulating more and more subcutaneous fat, and the skin is protected (and nourished) by a layer of fat called the vernix.

At 28 weeks, the fetus's intestines and lungs have developed to the point where the fetus would most likely survive. However, giving birth this early is far from risk-free and the baby would need a lot of care. For every week that the fetus remains in the womb, major developments take place that increase the chances of the fetus being born healthy.

About 5 % of all babies are born premature, that is, before 37 completed weeks. In other words, your baby will most likely be resting peacefully (or kicking!) in your belly for several more weeks before you see it.

Mom: Pregnant in week 28

How are you feeling? Take a few minutes and feel if you need anything special today. Pregnancy is a major hormonal and physical stress and the most important thing is to listen to what you need and take care of yourself.

Skin during pregnancy

Your skin is the body's largest organ and can be greatly affected by pregnancy and the increase in hormones. It is not uncommon to get stretch marks (striae) on your stomach, thighs and buttocks during pregnancy. It is also not uncommon for the skin to become itchy, which is due to the stretching of the skin but also because the skin often becomes drier.

Drier than usual skin is typical during pregnancy. If you experience this, it is a good idea to apply oil or an oily body cream to your skin. It can be nice to focus on the baby when you're rubbing your belly, because you're not far away from your first cuddle!

If you have problems with very itchy skin at night or during the day, and if you experience itching on the palms and soles of your feet (which is not relieved by an emollient cream), you may need to have an assessment. The aim is to find out the cause of the itching so that it can be treated. Talk to your midwife if you experience any problems.

Here you can read about week 27.

You can read about week 29 here.