You at 28 weeks pregnant: physical and emotional wellbeing in the third trimester

Welcome to the third trimester!

You might want or need to start taking things easier around now, if you can.

From 28-36 weeks of pregnancy, your antenatal appointments are likely to be every 2-3 weeks.

Physical symptoms and health problems

Common third trimester issues include:

• swollen hands and feet – drink as much water as you feel you can, get your feet up as much as you can, and take off any tight rings or other tight jewellery
• breathlessness – your uterus is pushing further up into your ribcage, which means there’s less room for your lungs
• heartburn and reflux
• lower back and leg pain – try to stand up straight and tilt your hips forward
• leaking breasts – your breasts are starting to produce colostrum.

If you suddenly experience symptoms of pregnancy health problems or your symptoms feel severe or won’t go away, see your doctor or midwife as soon as possible.

Mental and emotional symptoms and changes

Pregnancy is a powerful and life-changing experience for all parents-to-be. It can stir up some strong, deep and unexpected emotions and issues.

On top of this, hormone changes can affect your mood or energy levels, or there might be occasional days when you or your partner feels flat or irritable.

These sorts of changes are normal.

But emotional changes that last longer than 2 weeks and get in the way of daily life could be signs of antenatal anxiety, antenatal depression or another problem.

What’s happening and how you’re feeling are as important as physical symptoms or health problems. If you feel very stressed, worried or sad, it can affect your health and your baby’s health.

Pregnancy check-ups are a chance to talk about these feelings – but you don’t have to wait for your check-up. Make an appointment with your doctor or midwife to discuss feelings like these. If you need it, your doctor or midwife can refer you to another health professional like a counsellor or put you in touch with support services.

You could also call Lifeline on 131 114, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or PANDA on 1300 726 306.

Your baby at 28 weeks of pregnancy

How big is your baby at 28 weeks?

Your baby measures about 25 cm from head to bottom and weighs about 1 kg.

What position is your baby in at 28 weeks?

Some babies prefer the breech position at this time – head up, bottom down.

Don’t worry about this just now – most babies move to the head-down position in time for their birth.

What’s happening with your baby’s development at 28 weeks?

• Your baby’s immune system is developing.
• Your baby is covered in vernix – a white, creamy substance that protects their skin from amniotic fluid.
• Your baby’s eyelashes are growing.
• If you have a boy, his testicles are lowering into his scrotum.

Babies born at this stage are premature. They have a good chance of survival when they have special care and equipment.

How much baby movement should there be at 28 weeks?

Your baby’s movements should be regular and strong. You should feel some movement each day. You might notice that your baby moves a lot at certain times of the day but is less active at other times.

If there’s a change in the number or strength of your baby’s movements at any stage, call your doctor, midwife or hospital immediately.

Recommended at this stage of pregnancy: whooping cough and RSV vaccination

Whooping cough and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are very contagious and dangerous illnesses for babies. If you get immunised, it can help to protect your baby against these illnesses.

It’s recommended that you have:

• a whooping cough vaccination between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy
• an RSV vaccination between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

In Australia, these vaccinations are free for pregnant women. Your midwife or doctor can organise them for you.

It’s a good idea to speak with your midwife, doctor or immunisation provider about recommended vaccinations during pregnancy.

Things to think about at 28 weeks: work

You might start thinking about when to stop working while pregnant. It can be good to stop work at 34-36 weeks, but it’s OK if you need to stop earlier or work longer.

Depending on your job and work duties, you might need a doctor’s certificate to keep working past a certain point in your pregnancy.