Pregnancy Week 28

At 28 weeks pregnant, your baby is becoming stronger and more responsive. Muscle tone is improving, and the hands can now grip with surprising strength for someone who still weighs less than a bag of sugar.

Your baby’s eyelids are opening after being fused shut earlier in development. By the end of this week, the eyes are much more fully formed, although vision will continue developing after birth.

Sucking and swallowing are also being practised regularly. These are essential skills for feeding after birth, so your baby is spending time rehearsing them now.

Your baby is still gaining weight quickly. By the end of this week, they may measure around 25cm from head to bottom and weigh close to 1kg, although individual growth varies.

Movements may feel stronger, sharper or more deliberate now. You might notice kicks, rolls, stretches, hiccups or sudden shifts in position, especially when you sit or lie down.

At 28 weeks pregnant, your baby’s movements may be strong enough to interrupt your sleep. A very still, quiet day can apparently be followed by a full dance rehearsal at 2am.

Pelvic or groin pain, sometimes called pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, can also become more noticeable. As your uterus grows, ligaments stretch and your posture changes. You may feel pain in the groin, lower bump, hips or inner thighs, especially after walking, exercise, standing for a long time or turning over in bed.

Rest may help, but do not ignore pain that is severe, persistent, one-sided, comes with bleeding, fever, burning when you wee, or makes it difficult to walk. Ask your midwife or GP for advice if pelvic pain is affecting daily life.

Swelling in your feet, ankles or hands may also increase now. Mild swelling that builds during the day can be common, especially in warm weather or after standing. Reduce it by:

Sudden or severe swelling, especially in your face, hands, feet or around your eyes, should be checked quickly, particularly if it comes with a very bad headache, vision changes, severe pain just below your ribs, vomiting, or feeling very unwell. 

Your bladder may feel under pressure again too. Your growing uterus leaves less room, and pregnancy can make the tubes between the kidneys and bladder work less efficiently. That can mean more frequent trips to the loo and sometimes a feeling that you have not fully emptied your bladder.

Week 28 can feel like a genuine shift. You are in the final stretch now, and your baby may feel very present in your day-to-day life.

That can be lovely. It can also be tiring. Stronger movements, bladder pressure, swelling, pelvic aches and interrupted sleep can make pregnancy feel less theoretical and more like a physical project with no off switch.

This is a good time to stop expecting yourself to operate exactly as you did before pregnancy. You may need more breaks, different shoes, a better sleep setup, fewer back-to-back plans, or more honest conversations about what you can and cannot manage.

It is not “giving in” to adapt. It is basic logistics.

This week, focus on comfort, bladder health and pelvic floor support. If swelling is starting, act before it becomes miserable. Put your feet up when you can, move regularly, drink fluids, and avoid standing still for long periods. If swelling is sudden, severe or comes with other warning symptoms, call your midwife or maternity unit.

Bladder pressure is common, but pain is not something to brush off. Contact your midwife or GP if you have burning when you wee, lower tummy pain, back pain, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, blood in your urine, fever, or you feel generally unwell.

Pelvic floor exercises are worth doing now. They help support your bladder, bowel and uterus, and can reduce leaking when you cough, laugh, sneeze or lift. Aim to build them into something you already do daily, such as brushing your teeth, boiling the kettle or getting into bed.

Bladder and pelvic comfort ideas: