👶Your baby this week
Your baby is now about as long as a baby comforter (~37.6 cm) and weighs just over 2¼ lb.
Welcome to the **third and final trimester**, baby is getting ready for the big day!
**Blinking** begins this week as baby’s eyes open and eyelashes flutter.
Baby now experiences **REM sleep** (the dreaming stage), so your little one may actually be **dreaming** inside the womb.
The **brain** continues to mature rapidly, developing sleep cycles and improved control of body temperature.
Baby’s **heart rate** slows to about 140 bpm as it becomes more efficient; you may even hear it with a stethoscope.
Baby is also perfecting movements such as **sucking, hiccupping, coughing, and making faces**, all good practice for life outside.
Fat continues to build under the skin, giving baby a **smoother, plumper** appearance.
🌸Your body this week
Welcome to the **third trimester**, you! Expect more tiredness, discomfort, and possibly some **backache** or **pelvic pressure** as your bump grows.
You may experience **heartburn**, **indigestion**, and **bloating** due to pressure on the stomach and hormonal effects.
**Swelling** in your feet, ankles, and hands can increase, rest, elevate, and keep hydrated, but report sudden swelling or headaches to your midwife.
Your **joints and ligaments** are looser due to relaxin, which can lead to **pelvic pain or instability (SPD)**, use a support belt or seek physio help if needed.
Some people get more **nosebleeds** due to hormone-driven blood vessel changes in the nose.
You might also feel occasional **tingling or shooting pain (sciatica)** if baby presses on your sciatic nerve.
💛Symptoms you might notice
Every pregnancy is different. These are common around week 28 — speak to your midwife if anything worries you.
Heartburn & Indigestion
Eat smaller, more frequent meals; avoid spicy, greasy, or acidic foods; stay upright after eating and prop up slightly when resting.
Backache & Pelvic Pain
Maintain good posture, stretch gently, wear supportive shoes, and try a pregnancy pillow or warm compress for relief.
Swelling (Edema)
Rest with feet raised, avoid tight shoes and rings, and drink plenty of water. Report sudden swelling, headache, or vision changes (signs of pre-eclampsia).
Nosebleeds
Sit upright, pinch your nose above the nostrils for 10–15 minutes, lean forward, and apply a cold compress to the bridge of your nose.
Sciatica
Sharp pain or tingling from your lower back down the legs can happen if baby presses on nerves. Try heat packs, rest, gentle stretches, or physio.
Sensitive or Itchy Skin
Use fragrance-free moisturiser or calamine lotion. Avoid hot showers, and report persistent itching, especially on palms or soles.
Leg Cramps
Stretch calves, flex toes toward the shin during cramps, hydrate well, and check iron and magnesium levels with your midwife if frequent.
Bleeding Gums
Brush and floss gently but regularly; visit your dentist if bleeding persists.
Mask of Pregnancy (Melasma)
Sunlight can worsen pigmentation, wear SPF 30+, stay shaded, and most marks fade after birth.
Faintness or Dizziness
Stay hydrated, eat regularly, rise slowly, and lie on your side if you feel faint. Call your midwife if fainting occurs.
✨Tips for week 28
RSV Vaccine
At **around week 28**, you’ll be offered the **RSV vaccine**, which helps protect your newborn from severe lung infections (like bronchiolitis). Immunity passes through the placenta.
Whooping Cough Vaccine
If you haven’t yet, get your **pertussis (whooping cough)** jab between **weeks 16–32** to protect baby after birth.
Beat Germs Safely
Wash hands often (especially after contact with children or nappies), wear gloves when cleaning cat litter or gardening, and avoid people with **chickenpox** if you haven’t had it.
Rest & Listen to Your Body
Tiredness returns in the third trimester, rest whenever you can and don’t overdo it.
Safe Sleeping
Sleep on your side to aid blood flow and reduce stillbirth risk. Support your bump and knees with pillows.
Prepare for Baby’s Arrival
Now’s the time to **plan where baby will sleep**. Ensure cots meet **BS EN 716-1 safety standards** and start gathering essentials while you still have energy.
Antenatal Classes
Join NHS, NCT, or Tommy’s classes to prepare for labour and meet other parents-to-be.
Healthy Eating
Now you need about **200 extra calories a day** (≈ two slices of wholemeal toast). Keep meals balanced with fruit, veg, wholegrains, and lean protein.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Continue daily Kegels to strengthen muscles, support your bladder, and aid postpartum recovery.
Workplace Rights
You’re entitled to **risk assessments**, extra breaks, safe duties, and paid antenatal leave.
Newborn Screening Talk
Ask your midwife about **newborn screening tests** offered after birth, they can detect treatable conditions early.
Mental Wellbeing
If you feels anxious, low, or overwhelmed, talk to your midwife/GP. Reach out for support early, it’s a sign of strength.
Contraception Planning
Discuss post-birth contraception now, fertility can return quickly and short gaps between pregnancies can pose health risks.
When to Seek Urgent Help
Contact your maternity unit immediately for **reduced movements**, severe headache, vision problems, sudden swelling, chest pain, fluid leak, or bleeding.