Pregnancy Calendar Week 28
From LoveToKnow Pregnancy
Your Baby during Pregnancy Calendar Week 28
By pregnancy calendar week 28, your baby weighs about 2.5 pounds and measures roughly 14.5 inches long. Although this seems very small, it’s important to remember that he/she will gain a significant amount of weight in the last few weeks of your pregnancy.
Your baby’s primary development during this time occurs within the brain. During pregnancy calendar week 28, the amount of brain tissue begins to increase. Your baby’s brain also begins to develop the necessary grooves and indentations.
If you’ve been wondering about the color of your baby’s eyes, you may be pleased to learn that his/her irises now have the necessary pigment. Most light-skinned babies will be born with blue eyes, while most dark-skinned babies will have brown eyes at birth. However, your baby’s final eye color won’t be determined until several months after his/her birth.
Your Changing Body
During pregnancy calendar week 28, your uterus continues to grow. You should be able to feel the top of your uterus about 3.5 inches above your navel. At this point in your pregnancy, you have probably gained between 17 and 24 pounds.
Now that you’ve entered the third trimester, your healthcare provider will probably increase the frequency of your prenatal visits. If your pregnancy is free of complications, you may have biweekly appointments until week 36 and weekly appointments from week 37 until your baby is born.
During pregnancy calendar week 28, you may be experiencing a variety of symptoms. Leg cramps, headaches, constipation, an itchy abdomen, insomnia, heartburn, and nasal congestion are common during this time. You may also notice hemorrhoids, varicose veins, or bleeding gums. If you have questions about any of your pregnancy symptoms, don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider. He/she needs to know about your symptoms in order to make informed decisions about your medical care.
Understanding the Rh Factor
During your pregnancy, your healthcare provider will perform a simple blood test to check your blood type. There are four major blood types: A, B, AB, and O. On the surface of the red blood cells there is also a protein known as the Rh factor. If your blood has the Rh factor, then you are Rh-positive. If your blood does not have the Rh factor, then you are Rh-negative. While the Rh factor does not influence a person’s overall health, it can create problems during pregnancy.
If you are Rh-negative and your baby’s father is Rh-positive, your baby may be Rh-positive. Many Rh-negative women develop antibodies to an Rh-positive baby. This can cause your body to respond as if it were allergic to your baby. If this happens, your antibodies may enter the placenta, attack your baby's blood, and produce anemia.
To prevent problems, your healthcare provider will recommend an injection of Rh immunoglobulin, a blood product designed to prevent sensitization of an Rh-negative mother. However, this treatment is only good for your current pregnancy. If you decide to have additional children, you may need a repeat dose of the Rh immunoglobulin.
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