Reaching week 28 of pregnancy marks a significant turning point: the start of your third and final trimester. At 28 weeks pregnant, your baby is growing rapidly, your bump is now unmistakable, and your thoughts are likely beginning to turn towards birth and life with your new arrival. It is an exciting stage, and one that often brings a renewed round of appointments, checks and preparations.
This week also brings some meaningful reassurance. Babies born from around this point onwards have an increasingly good outlook with specialist neonatal care, which is why the third trimester feels, for many parents, like a genuine milestone of confidence. Understanding what is happening this week, and what lies ahead as you approach week 29, can help you feel calm and well-prepared.
Your baby at week 28
By 28 weeks pregnant, your baby is around 37–38 centimetres long from head to heel and typically weighs approximately 1 kilogram, though every baby grows at their own pace. From this point, much of the coming weeks will be spent gaining weight and maturing, rather than adding length.
This is a period of remarkable development. Your baby's lungs are continuing to mature and are now capable of breathing air with support, although they still have important growing to do. The brain is developing rapidly, forming the grooves and folds that will support learning and memory.
- Your baby's eyes can now open and close, and they may begin to respond to bright light filtering through your abdomen.
- Periods of sleep and wakefulness are becoming more established, which is why you may notice patterns to their movements.
- A layer of soft fat is building beneath the skin, gradually smoothing out their appearance and helping with temperature regulation after birth.
- Your baby can hear your voice and may respond to familiar sounds, so this is a lovely time to talk or read to your bump.
You should be feeling regular movements by now. Getting to know your baby's individual pattern of movements is one of the most important things you can do in the third trimester.
Your body at week 28
As you enter the third trimester, your growing bump means many of the familiar pregnancy symptoms may become more noticeable. These experiences are typically a normal part of pregnancy, though they can feel demanding.
- Tiredness and breathlessness often return as your uterus expands and presses upwards against your lungs and diaphragm.
- Backache and pelvic discomfort are common as your posture shifts and pregnancy hormones soften your ligaments.
- Braxton Hicks contractions – irregular, usually painless tightenings of the womb – may become more apparent as your body practises for labour.
- Swelling in the ankles and feet, heartburn, and difficulty sleeping are also frequently reported around this stage.
While much of this is typical, some symptoms should never be ignored. Contact your midwife or maternity unit promptly if you notice a change in your baby's usual movements, severe or persistent headaches, blurred vision, sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet, or any bleeding. These can occasionally be signs of conditions such as pre-eclampsia that need prompt assessment.
What to keep in mind this week
The third trimester is a natural time to focus on rest, nutrition and preparation. A few practical, NHS-aligned points are worth keeping in mind at 28 weeks pregnant.
- Monitor your baby's movements. There is no set number of normal movements, but you should get to know what is usual for your baby. If movements slow, stop or change, contact your maternity unit straight away, at any time of day or night.
- Consider your sleeping position. From 28 weeks, current NHS guidance advises going to sleep on your side, rather than on your back, as this is associated with a safer outcome for your baby.
- Stay active where you can. Gentle movement, good hydration and a balanced diet all help you manage third-trimester symptoms and support your wellbeing.
- Start thinking about your birth plan. This is a good moment to begin considering your preferences and any questions you would like to raise at your next appointment.
To help you see the full picture of what lies ahead, our personalised pregnancy journey planner maps out the key milestones, scans and decisions week by week.
Scans, tests and appointments
Week 28 sits within a busy window of the NHS antenatal schedule, and it is often when several routine checks come together. Around this time, you can typically expect a midwife appointment that includes checks of your blood pressure, urine and the growth of your bump, along with a further blood test to check for anaemia and, if relevant, your blood group antibodies.
If you have a rhesus-negative blood group, you will usually be offered anti-D injections from around 28 weeks. Several other important milestones fall near this stage of pregnancy:
- The glucose tolerance test (GTT) for gestational diabetes is offered to those at higher risk, usually between 24 and 28 weeks – making this the final window for the standard screening test. Our private GTT service can help if you would like testing arranged promptly.
- The whooping cough vaccine is recommended during pregnancy, typically offered from 16 weeks and available up to around 32 weeks, to protect your newborn in their first weeks of life.
- RSV vaccination is now offered from 28 weeks of pregnancy to help protect your baby against respiratory syncytial virus after birth.
The NHS does not routinely offer an ultrasound scan at this stage for most pregnancies. However, many parents value the reassurance of a detailed third-trimester assessment. Our 3rd-trimester anomaly scan reviews your baby's growth, position, the placenta and amniotic fluid, and offers a further check of anatomy that develops later in pregnancy.
If you would like more continuous, personalised support through these final months, our private midwife service offers dedicated one-to-one care, birth preparation and someone to answer your questions along the way.
Looking ahead
Week 28 is a wonderful milestone: the beginning of the home straight. With your third trimester underway, the focus now shifts gently towards growth, preparation and getting ready to meet your baby. Rest when you can, keep an eye on your baby's movements, and make the most of your antenatal appointments to raise any questions.
From here, you can look forward to week 29 and the steady progress of the weeks ahead. If you have just arrived from week 27, you will notice how quickly things begin to move now that the final trimester has begun.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always speak to your midwife, GP or obstetrician about your own pregnancy.
