Your 28th week of pregnancy: How your baby is growing and what you need to know! (Week 28 Pregnancy)

Hello! You are now 28 weeks pregnant, which means seven months! A lot has changed for you and your baby by now, right? Your belly is getting bigger now, and you can feel the baby moving around inside you. Isn't that a lovely feeling? Let's see how your little one is growing this week, and what you need to be careful about during this time.

How is your baby's development this week?

This week, 28, marks the beginning of your third trimester. This is a time when your baby is growing rapidly.

What is the exact weight and length of the baby?

Imagine, your baby now weighs about 1 kilogram (1000 grams) . That's a little heavier than a small water bottle. In terms of length, from the top of his head to his rump (what we call crown to rump) he's about 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) . If you look at his full length, his legs are a little longer than that. To be precise, he's about the size of a small pumpkin! He's taking up a lot of space inside your belly now.

Amazing brain development!

During this time, the baby's brain is developing very rapidly. Do you remember when we used to study as children, the pictures of the brain were all folded inwards, with lots of folds? Those folds and grooves are what are developing more and more this week. As these increase, the surface area of ​​the brain increases, which means that there is more space for things like intelligence and memory. It's like the ``memory capacity`` of a computer increases. By now, he can even recognize your voice and ``react`` to it.

Oily skin develops.

Another important thing is that layers of fat begin to accumulate on the baby's body. This is very important. Do you know why?

• These layers of fat help the baby retain its body heat after birth, just like we wrap ourselves in blankets when it's cold.
• Also, this fat is a place to store energy. The baby needs this energy a lot in the first days after birth.
• It is because of these layers of oil that the baby's skin becomes plump and beautiful.

What happens at the next medical examination?

You're probably going to see the doctor more often now. The next time you go, the doctor or nurse will tell you about how the baby is doing inside the womb.

Which way is the baby? Head down? Or...?

Babies are usually in the head-first position when they are about to be born. This is the easiest position for childbirth.

But sometimes the baby's feet or buttocks can be facing downwards (feet-first or bottom-first) . We call this the breech position .

Imagine your baby living in a little house inside your belly. He still has room to roll around and spin around as he pleases.

Don't worry if the baby is in the `(Breech Position)`!

If your doctor says the baby is still in the ``Breech Position'', shouldn't you worry? This happens to many mothers.

• There's still time: The baby has about two months to change his position. Most babies end up in the head down position at the last minute.
• Most babies turn on their own: You don't need to do anything special, most babies turn appropriately on their own.
• Will a C-section be needed?: Sometimes, if the baby continues to be in the breech position, the doctor may decide to perform a Caesarean section (C-section) . This is for the safety of both the mother and the baby. But don't worry about it right away. Your doctor will explain it to you in detail.

The most important thing right now is to stay calm and listen carefully to what your doctor says.

How are you as a mother this week, 28?

As your baby grows, you'll probably feel it too. During this time, you may experience things like:

• Back pain: As your belly grows, your back may feel a little heavy.
• Breathing difficulties: You may feel a little short of breath as the growing uterus presses on your lungs.
• Frequent need to urinate: This may be due to the baby pressing on the bladder.
• Braxton Hicks contractions: These are contractions that feel like your stomach is going to give out. These are not real labor pains, but rather a practice for your uterus to prepare for labor. However, if these occur frequently or if the pain is severe, you should tell your doctor .
• Insomnia: Sleep may be disrupted due to difficulty finding a comfortable position.

These things are normal, but if you have unbearable discomfort, definitely talk to your doctor.

What should you do at this time?

During this time, you need to take good care of yourself and your baby.

1. A nutritious diet

As before, eat a well-balanced diet that includes iron, calcium, protein, and vitamins . Take the extra vitamin pills your doctor has prescribed. Don't forget to drink plenty of water.

2. Light exercise and adequate rest

• Ask your doctor about light exercises that are right for you. Things like walking and yoga are good.
• Rest is very important. It's great if you can take a nap during the day. Try to sleep comfortably at night too. Sleeping on your left side improves blood circulation to the baby.

3. Don't miss medical checkups

Go to the doctor on the days you have scheduled. That way, you can know exactly how you and your baby are doing. If there is a problem, it can be detected quickly.

4. Build a relationship with the puppy

Your baby can now hear your voice clearly. Talk to him, sing to him, and rub his belly. These things will strengthen the bond between you and your baby. Ask Dad to talk to him too.

What are the symptoms to watch out for?

There are some things you should be extra careful about during this time. If you experience any of the following, call your doctor immediately:

• Having severe stomach pain or persistent back pain .
• Bleeding or a watery discharge from the vagina .
• If you feel that the baby is moving less (if it seems to be moving less than ten times a day).
• Symptoms include severe headaches, blurred vision, and swelling of the limbs .
• A severe illness, like a fever or cold .

These can be emergencies, so it's best to seek medical advice quickly.

Take-Home Message

Okay, so let's summarize what we talked about this week 28:

• Your baby now weighs about 1 kilogram and is about 25 centimeters long. He is growing well.
• The brain is developing rapidly, and layers of fat are forming on the body. These are very important for the future health of the baby.
• The doctor will tell you whether the baby is in a head-down or breech position. Don't worry if it's breech, most of the time babies will turn into the correct position on their own.
• As a mother , your health is also very important. Don't forget about nutritious food, exercise, and rest.
• Attend medical examinations on the scheduled date.
• If you notice any unusual symptoms, notify your doctor immediately.

The most important thing is that you are happy and relaxed. This pregnancy is a wonderful time in life. Enjoy every moment. We wish you and your baby all the best!

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask your doctor or family health worker. They will help you.

` 28th week of pregnancy, baby's development, breech position, cesarean section, mother's health, food during pregnancy, preparing for childbirth