28 Weeks Pregnant

Your week at a glance

Week 28 of about 40. Sizes are averages, not targets.

This week	Details
Baby size	About an eggplant, roughly 14 to 15 inches long, 2 to 3 pounds
What is developing	Eyes open and blink, brain grows fast, lungs keep maturing, fat builds up
Your symptoms	Shortness of breath, back ache, heartburn, swelling, trouble sleeping
To-do	Glucose test, RhoGAM if Rh-negative, start kick counts, visits every 2 weeks

Welcome to the third trimester

Week 28 marks the start of the third trimester, the final stretch before birth. The baby is growing quickly now, adding fat and building brain connections at a rapid pace, and the lungs continue to mature week by week.

Prenatal visits usually become more frequent, often every two weeks, so your provider can keep a closer eye on your blood pressure, growth, and the baby's movements. This visit tends to be a busy one because several routine tests cluster around 28 weeks.

Tests and care around 28 weeks

Three things commonly happen at or near this visit.

• Glucose test: a one-hour, non-fasting screen for gestational diabetes, usually done between 24 and 28 weeks, with a longer follow-up test if your level is above the cutoff
• RhoGAM: if your blood type is Rh-negative, you get a shot of anti-D immune globulin around 28 weeks, and another after birth if the baby is Rh-positive, to protect future pregnancies
• Blood count: many providers recheck for anemia at this visit and discuss iron
• Vaccines: this is a common window to discuss the Tdap vaccine, which is typically given in the third trimester

Start counting kicks

Around 28 weeks is the usual time to begin daily kick counts, a simple way to keep tabs on the baby's wellbeing. The common method is to pick a time when the baby is usually active, get comfortable lying on your side or sitting with your feet up, and see how long it takes to feel 10 movements.

Most people feel 10 kicks, rolls, jabs, or flutters well within two hours, often much sooner. Hiccups do not count. The point is to learn your baby's normal pattern, so you notice if movement clearly slows or changes.

Common symptoms this week

• Shortness of breath as the uterus presses up toward your lungs
• Back ache and pelvic pressure
• Heartburn and indigestion
• Swelling in the feet, ankles, and hands
• Trouble sleeping and more frequent trips to the bathroom

What the baby is doing now

At 28 weeks the baby can open and close its eyes and is starting to blink. The brain is developing folds and grooves and growing quickly, and the baby is adding the body fat that smooths out its skin and helps with temperature control after birth.

The lungs are not finished yet, but they keep maturing, and the baby practices breathing movements with amniotic fluid. A baby born now would usually need help in a neonatal unit, while every week that passes lowers that risk and pushes development further along.

Reflects ACOG third-trimester care, Rh and glucose-screening guidance, and Cleveland Clinic references, 2024-2026.

Related questions

Why is RhoGAM given at 28 weeks?

If your blood type is Rh-negative and the baby may be Rh-positive, your immune system could make antibodies against the baby's blood. A RhoGAM shot around 28 weeks prevents that, and a second dose is given after birth if the baby is Rh-positive. It mainly protects future pregnancies.

When should I start counting kicks?

Most people start around 28 weeks, or earlier if their provider advises it for a higher-risk pregnancy. Pick a usually active time, get comfortable, and time how long it takes to feel 10 movements. It is normally well under two hours.

What is a normal glucose test result?

On the one-hour screening test, a result below about 130 to 140 mg/dL is generally considered normal, depending on your clinic's cutoff. A higher result does not mean you have diabetes, only that you need the longer fasting test to confirm or rule it out.

How often are prenatal visits in the third trimester?

Visits usually move to about every two weeks starting around 28 weeks, then to weekly around 36 weeks until birth. Your provider may adjust this based on your health and the baby's growth.

Sources & further reading

1. Cleveland Clinic — Kick Counts (Fetal Movement Counting)
2. Cleveland Clinic — Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in Pregnancy
3. Cleveland Clinic — Fetal Development: Stages of Growth
4. MedlinePlus — Diabetes Tests

This article reflects current AAP, CDC, FDA, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.