28 Weeks Pregnant: What to Expect This Week
Welcome to the third trimester — the final stretch! At twenty-eight weeks your baby has crossed the 1 kilogram mark and is entering the crucial final phase of development. This is also when kick counting becomes important.
Baby at Week 28: Size of a eggplant
Baby's Development at 28 Weeks
Baby is now experiencing REM sleep and is thought to be dreaming. The eyes are blinking regularly and can detect light and dark. Baby recognises familiar voices and music. The brain is growing and developing at an extraordinary rate. Lanugo is beginning to shed as fat takes over the temperature-regulation role. Baby is well-positioned for the final growth phase — from here, they'll roughly double in weight before birth.
Your Body at 28 Weeks Pregnant
Third-trimester fatigue sets in for many people. The bump is now significantly large, affecting balance, posture, and sleep. Heartburn is often at its worst as the uterus squeezes the stomach. Swollen ankles and feet are typical. Vivid dreams, including anxiety dreams about the birth, are very common. Some people notice colostrum leaking more regularly.
Tips for Week 28
- Start formal kick counting — 10 movements in 2 hours is the standard reassurance check. Contact your provider if movement has significantly decreased.
- Third-trimester prenatal appointments become more frequent — usually every 2–4 weeks from here.
- Use the Hello, baby kick counter to log sessions and track patterns.
- Begin researching newborn care: feeding, bathing, settling, and safe sleep.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I count kick counts?
Choose a time when your baby is usually active (often after a meal or in the evening). Sit or lie comfortably. Count every movement — kicks, rolls, punches, swishes. The goal is 10 movements in 2 hours. If you don't reach 10 movements in 2 hours, or if there's a noticeable reduction from your baby's normal pattern, contact your midwife or maternity unit.
What are the signs of preterm labour?
Signs of preterm labour (before 37 weeks) include: regular contractions (more than 4 in an hour), lower back pain that comes and goes rhythmically, pelvic pressure or a feeling that baby is pushing down, unusual vaginal discharge or watery fluid (which may be the waters breaking), or vaginal bleeding. Always contact your provider if you're concerned.
Start kick counting today
Hello, baby's kick counter makes the daily 10-movements check simple — tap to count, and share results with your partner.
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