My 28 Weeks Pregnant Belly Picture
Starting Weight: 123lbs
Current Weight: 134lbs
Total Weight Gain: 11lbs
Now let’s go over how my week went and what to expect…
Energy Level: My energy level has been great this week! No 24-hour calls! I am also looking forward to my baby shower this weekend :). I can’t believe that the finish line is so close.
Pregnancy symptoms: As I mentioned last week, I occasionally experience leg cramps throughout the night if I don’t use the topical Magnesium. Maybe it really helps, maybe it’s a placebo :). I do experience some nasal congestion in the mornings but thankfully it improves as soon as I get up.
The most common symptom I get is Braxton-Hicks contractions, which I am getting used to at this point.
Lastly, I notice more shortness of breath when going up a flight of stairs.
Other Physical Changes: No new physical changes this week. I am grateful to see my belly growing and feeling my baby move around in my uterus.
Diet: No new changes to my diet this week. I feel that my diet is really dialed in now. I haven’t had to make any modifications nor do I experience cravings as I had before.
Diet Modifications: No dietary modifications this week.
Food Aversions: No food aversions this week.
Food Cravings: No food cravings this week!
Workouts: I completed my four strength workouts this week, even hitting a pregnancy deadlift PR of 135lbs! I can certainly say that I am looking forward to my deload week next week. I am also continuing to do my Kegels to strengthen my pelvic floor for delivery and postpartum.
You can see examples of my entire pregnancy workout in my Prenatal Fitness Prescription.
Modifications to my workout: I am still using barbells and dumbbells like I did pre-pregnancy however I am using lighter weights and really focusing on going through the movements slowly. I also take longer breaks in between sets.
*Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider to learn if exercise is safe for you.* As always start with gentle exercises and listen to your body.
Here is a video of me squatting at 28 weeks.
Other Related Questions
How big should you be at 28 weeks pregnant?
At 28 weeks, many women will have gained approximately 17-24lbs or 7.7-10.8kg. Keep in mind this is an average, you may have gained less or you may have gained more.
Keep in mind that everyone is different and the location of your weight gain will be unique to you.
Several factors will influence how big you will be at 28 weeks which include:
- Whether you are carrying one or multiple babies
- How physically active you are
- Your pre-pregnancy BMI (the higher your BMI, the less weight you should have gained)
- The amount and type of calories you are consuming
This list is not comprehensive but can give you an idea.
Here is what I look like at 28 weeks. I had a normal pre-pregnancy BMI, have always been very active, and consume a well-balanced diet consisting of plenty of water, fruits, vegetables, plant-based proteins, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
I also make sure to take my prenatal vitamins every day.
How big is the baby?
At 28 weeks, your baby is now measuring 2.5 lbs and is about 14.5 inches long.
He or she is about the size of an eggplant!
Where is my baby in my stomach at 28 weeks?
The top of your uterus is now ~28 centimeters from your pubic bone or ~8 cm above your belly button.
The 28-centimeter measurement is known as the fundal height.
The fundal height is helpful in determining how well your baby is growing without using ultrasound technology.
What position is the baby in at 28 weeks?
At 28 weeks the position of your baby can be variable as he/she is constantly moving around.
- the head could be down in your pelvis, known as the cephalic position,
- the head could be on the left or right side of your abdomen with its body lying across your abdomen known in the transverse position, or
- the head could be in the upper part of your abdomen with the buttocks of feet in your pelvis known as the breech position.
The head-down position is the safest and most viable way to deliver.
With that said, your baby will not assume its final position until the end of the 3rd trimester so don’t be alarmed if your baby’s head is not in the birthing position at this time.
How do I know if my baby is head down at 28 weeks?
Your doctor can perform a bedside ultrasound to check the position of your baby, or they can use something called Leopold’s maneuvers.
Leopold’s maneuver is a way for your health care provider to assess the position of your baby through palpation of your abdomen.
Do you feel pain when the baby is turning?
You should not feel pain when the baby is turning, however sudden fetal movements can be uncomfortable.
Quick fetal movements can feel like jolts and ripples in your abdomen.
You may even feel your baby hiccuping.
How often should a baby kick at 28 weeks?
At 28 weeks, you should start paying attention to how often your baby is kicking.
This is known as the fetal kick counts and your doctor may ask you to start paying attention to them.
Ideally, in 2 hours you should feel your baby kick 10 times.
If you don’t, try drinking something hot or cold, go into a quiet room, and lie down so that you can concentrate.
If you still don’t feel your baby moving, you should speak with your provider or go to the nearest labor and delivery unit.
What does a baby look like in the womb at 28 weeks?
A baby at 28 weeks looks like a smaller version of a full-term baby.
Your baby will have some hair on its head, eyelashes, and even nails.
Additionally, your baby’s sense of hearing, smell, and touch will be even more developed.
Is the baby fully formed at 28 weeks?
Yes, your baby is fully formed at 28 weeks but most of the organs will continue to grow until his/her birthday.
Is 28 weeks considered 7 months pregnant?
At the end of 28 weeks, you have completed your 7th month of pregnancy.
You have also come to the end of the second trimester. Congratulations!
What should be avoided during this month of pregnancy?
During the third trimester (the end of month 7) you should avoid:
- Lying flat on your back for prolonged periods
- Lying flat on your stomach
- Excessive heat (like saunas or hot yoga)
- Any activity that has a high risk of falling
- Prolonged immobility (increases the risk of deep venous thrombosis or DVT)
- Long travel (for the same reason as above)
What week is it safe to give birth?
Is it safest to give birth between 37-41 weeks as the neonate is considered full term.
Prior to 37 weeks, the baby is considered preterm and the pediatrics team will need to be present at the time of delivery in case your baby needs any sort of intervention.
Babies born prior to 37 weeks typically need to go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NICU for respiratory distress (breathing difficulties.)
If you happen to go into preterm labor (labor before 37 weeks) we will offer steroids to help mature the fetal lungs.
Pregnancy symptoms at 28 weeks
At 28 weeks, it is common to experience the following symptoms:
- Braxton Hicks contractions (aka practice contractions)
- Shortness of breath
- Lower back pain or discomfort
- Leg cramps (especially in the back of your legs)
- Swelling from fluid retention
- Breast leaking colostrum
- Constipation
- Difficulty sleeping
- Random aches and pains 🙁
Anything else I should know?
28 weeks officially starts the third trimester! You are in the home stretch!
Here are a few other things to know about for the start of the third trimester.
Rh Factor
At this point in the pregnancy, you will receive an injection called Rhogam if your blood type is Rh negative.
So if you are:
- A-
- B-
- O-
- AB-
You need a shot of Rhogam! This is to prevent your blood cells from potentially attacking the blood cells of your baby if your baby happens to be Rh +.
All pregnant women are screened for Rh factor in the first trimester, so you will probably know if this is the case for you.
Other Blood Tests
You will also have another blood test (CBC) to look for any signs of anemia which is common at this point in the pregnancy.
Blood Pressure
The third trimester is also when most cases of preeclampsia develop.
Be sure to follow closely with your provider to monitor your blood pressure and report any unusual symptoms you develop including but not limited to:
- Severe headache
- Changes in vision
- Severe abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Significant shortness of breath
If you experience any of the above symptoms, be sure to seek immediate medical care.
Final Words on 28 Weeks of Pregnancy
Now that you are in the third trimester, this is a good time to start planning for your delivery.
Your due date is just 12 weeks away!
Now I want to hear from you. How did your first week of the third trimester go?
Are you still able to work out and maintain a healthy diet?
Comment below and let me know!
And be sure to check back in next week for my 29 week update!
My Other Weekly Updates
- My pregnancy bump at 25 weeks of gestation
- My pregnancy bump at 26 weeks of gestation
- My pregnancy bump at 27 weeks of gestation
Get Four Free Workouts To Help Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor & Heal Your Mommy Tummy!
Brittany Robles, MD, MPH, CPT
Brittany Robles is a full-time OBGYN physician, a NASM certified trainer, and a prenatal and postnatal fitness specialist. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in maternal health with a special interest in exercise and nutrition. She is also the co-author of The White Coat Trainer. Learn more about her here.
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