The 28th week of pregnancy is the next milestone in fetal development. The baby reaches a weight of 1 kg and, if born prematurely, has every chance of survival outside the mother's womb. All processes occurring in a woman’s body are aimed at successfully bearing a child and preparing for the upcoming birth.

Fetal development

The weight of the fetus at the 28th obstetric week is approaching the mark 1000 g, and the body length is 34-35 see The child continues to develop in the mother's womb. The skin of the fetus still remains bright pink, but every day the blood vessels are less and less visible through it. In places of natural folds, on the abdomen, hips and buttocks, adipose tissue is deposited. Facial features become soft, cheeks become rounded, making the baby more and more like one of the parents.

In the third trimester, the accumulation of pigment in the hair follicles continues. The amount of pigment determines whether the baby will be a burning brunette or a light-haired blond. The formation of pigment occurs quite quickly, and soon the child acquires his own individual hair color. The amount of hair and its distribution on the head is determined genetically.

At the 28th week of pregnancy, the cerebral cortex is actively developing. At this stage you can already guess whether the baby will be left-handed or right-handed. For a left-handed person, the right hemisphere will be dominant, while for a right-handed person, the left hemisphere will be dominant. Some babies, after birth, are equally dexterous with both hands.

During this same period, the baby begins to open his eyes from time to time. All structures of the eye are already formed, including the optic nerves. There is still very little pigment in the fetal iris, so most children are born with blue or gray eyes. Over time, pigment gradually accumulates, and the color of the child's eyes changes.

Lung formation is almost complete at 28 weeks. In the event of a premature birth of a child, a developed capillary network will deliver all the necessary oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Surfactant, a substance that prevents the alveoli from sticking together during breathing, builds up in the lungs. Insufficient surfactant prevents babies born prematurely from breathing on their own.

In the middle of the third trimester of pregnancy, the formation of the endocrine system is completed. The production of important hormones is now much more intense. The fetus develops its own metabolic rhythm. The rate of nutrient processing, as well as many other processes occurring in the body, depends on the characteristics of metabolism.

Woman's condition

In the third trimester of pregnancy, a woman’s nervous system gradually enters the inhibition phase. All processes occurring in the cerebral cortex slow down. The expectant mother may feel a loss of strength, weakness and even apathy. The closer the due date, the more often fatigue sets in and the desire to hide from the whole world arises. Some women suffer from depression and low mood until the day they give birth.

The total weight gain at week 29 is 5.5-7 kg. During this period, experts advise monitoring your weight weekly on sensitive electronic scales. You need to weigh yourself in the morning, before meals, wearing the same clothes each time. Weight control allows you to timely identify some dangerous complications of pregnancy and take all measures to prevent them.

Normally, the expectant mother should add 300-500 g per week. With an initial weight deficit, the weight gain will be much more noticeable. The wise body thereby tries to compensate for the missing mass by depositing fatty tissue in the right places. Nature provides that subcutaneous fat on the abdomen, buttocks and thighs should protect the baby from any mechanical influences. In contrast, overweight women gain weight much more slowly during pregnancy.

An important point: all of the above is true only if the expectant mother adheres to a healthy lifestyle and limits herself to eating frankly harmful and heavy foods. Indulging in baking, fried foods and fast food does not contribute to maintaining optimal body weight during pregnancy.

Fetal movements

The baby’s motor activity at 28 weeks of pregnancy deserves special attention. It is known that at this stage the child makes up to 300 conscious movements per day. Starting from the 28th week of pregnancy, the number of fetal movements can be used to assess its condition and detect deviations in its development in time.

Two methods are used to count fetal movements:

1. Method No. 1. For 12 hours, a woman needs to carefully listen to her feelings and count all fetal movements. Every tenth movement of the baby is noted on paper. Normally, over the specified period of time, there should be 10 marks, that is, 100 fetal movements.
2. Method No. 2. Within one hour, the woman counts all fetal movements, from the weakest to the most intense. Normally, the baby should announce himself 8-12 times per hour. If the child does not move within an hour, there is no need to worry. The baby can sleep or just rest during this period. In such a situation, the study should be rescheduled for another time.

Each baby is individual, and it is impossible to predict in advance how he will behave on the day of the study. Some children move more in the morning and afternoon, while others are more active in the evening and at night. The frequency of fetal movements is influenced by the following factors:

• individual character traits;
• Times of Day;
• mother's position;
• physical activity of a woman;
• emotional state of the mother;
• eating;
• surrounding area;
• condition of the fetus.

It has been noticed that at the 28th week of pregnancy, children react with movements to certain stimuli. If the baby does not make itself known for a long time, you can provoke contact in one of the following ways:

1. Pat your belly.
2. Take a shower.
3. Turn on soft, pleasant music.
4. Talk to your baby out loud.
5. Change your body position: lie on your side, turn on your back.
6. Eat something sweet, drink milk or kefir.
7. Take a walk.
8. Do yoga, gymnastics, or any simple housework.

In most cases, one of these actions will necessarily lead to a surge in fetal activity. If your baby does not move within 12 hours, consult a doctor.

Possible problems

At 28 weeks of pregnancy, the following health problems may appear:

Numbness of the limbs

Discomfort in the legs, numbness of the toes and hands, a crawling sensation - all these symptoms are familiar to pregnant women. The cause of this condition is edema - the accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues. The accumulated fluid compresses the nerve endings, which leads to the appearance of all the unpleasant sensations. Numbness of the limbs increases in the evening and at night.

Edema during pregnancy, which is not accompanied by an increase in blood pressure, is not too dangerous. You can get rid of discomfort caused by fluid accumulation with a light massage. Elevating your limbs will also help. If swelling gets worse, you should consult a doctor.

Sciatic nerve compression

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body. It runs along the back of the buttock from the sacrum and down to the thigh. Pressure from the growing uterus in the second half of pregnancy can lead to compression of the sciatic nerve. In this condition, severe pain appears in the gluteal region, a feeling of numbness, and stiffness in the lower back. Light massage, therapeutic exercises and wearing a prenatal bandage will help you cope with unpleasant sensations.

Compression of the inferior vena cava

Inferior vena cava compression syndrome occurs in many pregnant women after 28 weeks. In this condition, there is a sharp decrease in blood pressure until loss of consciousness. All symptoms occur only when the woman is lying on her back. In this situation, the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the inferior vena cava, which leads to disruption of blood flow in it and the development of all signs of pathology.

Compression of the inferior vena cava leads to loss of consciousness only when blood pressure drops below 80 mm Hg. Art. At higher pressure levels, the following symptoms are observed:

• noise in ears;
• darkening of the eyes;
• increased breathing;
• feeling of lack of air;
• increased heart rate;
• pale skin;
• nausea.

If discomfort occurs, you should roll over to your side or take a vertical position. You need to rise slowly so as not to provoke an attack of dizziness. After 28 weeks, all pregnant women are not recommended to sleep on their back to prevent accidental compression of the inferior vena cava during sleep.

Surveys

• lower abdominal pain;
• bursting pain in the perineum;
• severe pain in the gluteal region or lower back;
• bleeding;
• heavy vaginal discharge;
• headache;
• increased blood pressure;
• swelling of the legs.

Among all the symptoms, rising blood pressure deserves special attention. It is no coincidence that the doctor measures blood pressure with a tonometer at every appointment. Measurements are taken with the woman sitting, in a relaxed state, on each arm in turn. High blood pressure numbers indicate the development of gestosis, a dangerous complication of pregnancy. In such a situation, additional examination and treatment in a hospital may be required.

The appearance of pain in the lower abdomen may indicate a threat of termination of pregnancy. To assess the contractile activity of the uterus, external hysterography (EH) is performed. This technique allows you to assess the nature of uterine contractions, their frequency and intensity. NGG is a non-invasive procedure and is considered completely safe for the woman and fetus.

NGG is carried out in a specially equipped room. A sensor is installed on the expectant mother's belly, which records all contractions of the uterus for 15-20 minutes. The results are assessed by a doctor. With increased activity of the uterus, conservation therapy is prescribed.

Week 28 is the time to prepare to meet your baby. In addition to collecting things and searching for information about the upcoming birth, it would be a good idea to thoroughly study the theory of breastfeeding. Properly established lactation will allow you to establish contact with your baby from the first days of life and avoid supplementary feeding with artificial formula.

Where can I find useful information about breastfeeding?

• in specialized literature;
• on forums on the Internet; m
• in the club of expectant mothers;
• at lectures in the antenatal clinic;
• from experienced friends and relatives;
• from lactation consultants.

A lactation consultant is a fairly new phenomenon. We are talking about a person who has some education and some experience in feeding their own children with breast milk. The consultant can give advice on organizing breastfeeding in the maternity hospital, as well as immediately after discharge home. If necessary, the consultant will help establish lactation that was interrupted for one reason or another. Many specialists provide assistance not only in person, but also online.

Whatever method you choose, it is important to find all the information you need before your baby is born. It can be difficult for inexperienced young mothers to feed their baby immediately after birth, especially in the unusual conditions of a maternity hospital. It wouldn’t hurt to take notes and write down the main important points. It’s also worth keeping the phone number of a consultant or other trusted person on hand, whom you can contact with any questions of concern.

At the 28th week of pregnancy, the baby takes a large amount of vitamins, microelements, and nutrients from the mother’s body. It is important that all of them are present in the food consumed and vitamin supplements.

Vitamin A (retinol). The daily amount is 2500 IU. Participates in the formation of visual rods and cones, prevents congenital blindness in a child. Supports placenta function. Beneficial for the mother - improves skin condition, prevents brittle nails. Retinol deficiency is determined by excessive dry skin, the appearance of cracks in the corners of the mouth, and decreased visual acuity. Products - cod liver, chicken eggs, butter, cottage cheese, carrots.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine). The daily amount is 1 mg. Participant of protein, fat, carbohydrate metabolism. Ensures proper functioning of the nervous system and heart. Prevents the development of polyneuropathy. The deficiency is determined by the weakness and irritability of the expectant mother. With severe deficiency, indigestion occurs. Products: rye and wheat bread, spinach, potatoes.

Reviews about maternity hospitals
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Vitamin B2 (riboflavin). The daily amount is 2 mg. An important participant in metabolism. Necessary for complete hematopoiesis in the fetus, participates in the formation of protective antibodies. The deficiency is determined by cracks on the lips, dry mouth, and the appearance of skin rashes. Products: beef liver, mushrooms, chicken eggs, buckwheat.

Vitamin B3 (niacin). The daily amount is 25 mg. Part of enzymes, improves blood microcirculation. Prevents intrauterine hypoxia. Deficiency is determined by indigestion, brittle hair and nails. Products: rye bread, potatoes, beets, buckwheat, beef.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). The daily amount is 2.5 mg. Important for the formation of fetal blood cells. Useful for the expectant mother - improves mood, makes it easier to fall asleep, and reduces nausea. Deficiency is determined by sleep disturbance, bad mood, and muscle spasms. Products - potatoes, carrots, nuts, apples, oranges.

Vitamin B9 (folic acid). The daily amount is 400 mcg. Supports the functioning of the nervous system, is part of hormones and nucleic acids. Reduces the risk of developing eclampsia. Deficiency is determined by excessive irritability, insomnia, and loss of appetite. Products - bran, whole grain bread, chicken eggs, yeast, herbs.

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). The daily amount is 4 mcg. Prevents the development of anemia in the mother and fetus, maintains blood pressure in women. Normalizes nervous activity and emotional state. Deficiency is determined by burning and redness of the tongue, goosebumps, and tingling in the fingertips. Products: beef liver and kidneys, egg yolk, sea fish, cottage cheese, kefir.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). The daily amount is 75 mg. Strengthens the immune system, protects against colds. Prevents vascular fragility, reduces the risk of uterine bleeding. Improves iron absorption. Deficiency is determined by dry skin, hair loss, and bleeding gums. Products - potatoes, gooseberries, oranges, lemons.

Vitamin D (calciferol). The daily amount is 400 IU. Provides absorption of calcium and phosphorus, participates in the construction of bone tissue. Deficiency is determined by joint and bone pain. Products: cod liver, egg yolk, cottage cheese, milk.

Vitamin E (tocopherol). The daily amount is 10 IU. Prevents cell damage, stimulates the formation of antibodies. Part of hormones, skin collagen and cartilage. Supports placental blood flow. Deficiency is determined by muscle weakness, dry skin, and the appearance of skin rashes. Products: beef liver and kidneys, sea fish, potatoes.

Vitamin H (biotin). The daily amount is 50 mcg. Supports the functioning of the fetal nervous system. Regulates glucose utilization, reducing the risk of developing gestational diabetes. Deficiency is determined by the oiliness of the skin, the appearance of acne, and dandruff. Products: beef liver, nuts, sunflower seeds.

Reviews about maternity hospitals
in the city:

Vladimir Moscow St. Petersburg Krasnodar Ekaterinburg Novosibirsk Rostov-on-Don Chelyabinsk Almaty Kazan Nizhny Novgorod Kiev Samara Ufa Voronezh Omsk Krasnoyarsk Volgograd Perm Saratov Minsk Tyumen Barnaul Astana Sochi Orenburg Togliatti Kharkov Ulyanovsk Irkutsk Astrakhan Penza Kaliningrad Odessa Lipa Etsk Khabarovsk Belgorod Stavropol Makhachkala Yaroslavl Vladivostok Ryazan Tula Karaganda Dnepropetrovsk Tver Bryansk Kemerovo Izhevsk Tomsk Naberezhnye Chelny

Iron. The daily amount is 3 mg. The main component of hemoglobin, prevents the development of anemia and intrauterine hypoxia. Reduces the risk of premature birth. Deficiency is determined by weakness, dizziness, bleeding. Products - meat, apples, buckwheat, pomegranates.

Iodine. The daily amount is 200 mcg. Supports thyroid function. Prevents the development of congenital cretinism. Deficiency is determined by weakness, fatigue, swelling, and decreased mental activity. Products: sea fish and algae.

Calcium. The daily amount is 1000 mg. The main component of bone tissue. Provides bone hardness and reduces the risk of fractures. Deficiency is determined by brittle hair and nails, bone pain. Products: milk, cottage cheese, kefir, greens.

Potassium. The daily amount is 5000 mg. Provides oxygen saturation of the body and prevents intrauterine hypoxia. Regulates cardiac activity and maintains blood pressure. Deficiency is determined by a feeling of rapid heartbeat and unstable blood pressure. Products: tomatoes, dried apricots, herbs, bananas.

Cobalt. The daily amount is 3 mcg. Reduces the risk of anemia, regulates nervous activity. Improves sleep and mood. Deficiency is determined by irritability and skin rashes. Products: sea fish.

Magnesium. The daily amount is 300 mg. Part of hormones, supports cardiac activity. Prevents muscle cramps. Deficiency is determined by irritability and insomnia. Products - cheese, nuts, rye and wheat bread, greens.

Copper. The daily amount is 1.5 mg. Necessary for the formation of hemoglobin, some hormones and enzymes. Participates in metabolism. Deficiency is determined by weakness and paleness of the skin. Products: beef liver, buckwheat, seaweed.

Sodium. The daily amount is 1500 mg. Responsible for water balance in the body, regulates cardiac activity. Deficiency is determined by dry mouth, thirst, and muscle cramps. Products: salt.

Chromium. The daily amount is 25 mcg. Reduces the need for sweets, reduces the risk of developing gestational diabetes. Chromium deficiency is rare. Products: milk, nuts.

Important! A multivitamin complex must be chosen on the recommendation of a doctor - your obstetrician-gynecologist and/or therapist.

The larger the mother’s belly becomes, and the closer the birth gets, the more often it is quite difficult for a woman to calculate: how many months is 28 weeks of pregnancy? Considering obstetric months, in which a month has 28 days, you can calculate: the 28th week of pregnancy falls on the 7th month of pregnancy. This is the first month of the third trimester, a month that brings a woman even closer to the long-awaited meeting with the baby growing in her tummy.

Ultrasound

Usually an ultrasound is not required at 28 weeks of pregnancy - unless for some special indications. The second planned ultrasound examination is already over, and the time for the third planned ultrasound examination has not yet arrived - it awaits the woman at 32 weeks of pregnancy. Although theoretically, an ultrasound at 28 weeks of pregnancy is still capable of showing the baby, the location and degree of maturity of the placenta, and the umbilical cord. It’s just that the readings displayed on the monitor are very difficult for mommy to make out: it’s impossible to see the baby completely. And how things are going with the development of the child, whether everything in this case corresponds to the norm, can only be determined by a doctor.

Tests at 28 weeks of pregnancy

But tests may be needed at the 28th week of pregnancy - both “traditional” (urinalysis, clinical blood test), and a blood test for sugar, as well as an antibody test. The latter becomes a necessity if the expectant mother has a negative Rh factor: such an analysis will help determine whether a Rh conflict is developing and whether certain complications of pregnancy and childbirth will be associated with this. If necessary, the woman will be given a special drug that will prevent the synthesis of antibodies to the fetal blood in the mother's body.

Starting from the 28th week of pregnancy and until childbirth, a woman will have to see a gynecologist more often: 2 times a month, with each visit taking urine samples for analysis, and, if indicated, blood tests. Now it is extremely important to monitor the level of iron in the body during pregnancy in order to avoid the development of anemia, as well as constant measurements of blood sugar levels, the increase of which indicates the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes.

Stomach

The seventh month is already quite a “solid period”, therefore it is not surprising that at the 28th week of pregnancy the belly is already greatly enlarged, and the mother’s figure is acquiring more and more rounded “shapes”. Due to the constant growth of the abdomen and the tension of the skin on it, the abdomen begins to itch and itch, and if it is overstretched, it becomes covered with purple stripes and stretch marks. Eliminating stretch marks that have already appeared is not an easy task; it is much easier to avoid their appearance. For this purpose, today there are many different cosmetic products in the form of creams and gels for stretch marks for pregnant women. Vegetable oils - olive, almond, citrus - are also excellent as a preventive measure for the appearance of stretch marks.

Uterus

The uterus also increases significantly by this time - the uterus is located 8 cm above the navel and 28 cm above the symphysis pubis. And this is far from the end: the uterus will continue to grow as the baby grows in it - until birth. But now, without “waiting” for the appointed due date, the uterus can periodically contract slightly and with little pain. If from time to time the mother feels the uterus tense easily at the 28th week of pregnancy, there is no need to be alarmed: if contractions of the uterus do not cause severe pain, are not prolonged and irregular, and are not accompanied by discharge, then so-called false or training contractions are taking place. Through such contractions, the uterus at 28 weeks of pregnancy “learns” to contract and prepares for the upcoming birth.

Childbirth at 28 weeks of pregnancy

Starting from the 28th week of pregnancy, if suddenly for some reason the baby decides to leave the mother’s womb early, the fetus is considered viable, and its actual birth is considered premature birth. Childbirth at 28 weeks of pregnancy can result in a very successful outcome for the baby: the probability of his survival is very, very high. True, the baby had a chance to survive even if he had been born at an even earlier stage, but only at the 28th week of pregnancy these chances increase even more. Of course, this will require special equipment, equipment, and careful care of the baby.

But for a mother, premature birth at 28 weeks of pregnancy, which is taken as an urgent one, can be overshadowed by very common complications. These include early and premature release of water, cervical ruptures, weak labor, unprepared birth canal, bleeding during the labor and postpartum period.

Fetus

Normally, the fetus at the 28th week of pregnancy continues to improve, every day preparing to meet a new world. The baby's weight already reaches a kilogram, and sometimes more, his height is about 38-38.5 cm. Bone tissue is actively strengthened, pulmonary alveoli are formed, which will give the baby the ability to breathe on his own. The baby’s brain is also developing - grooves and convolutions are gradually formed on it, the formation of which began a little earlier.

The baby gains weight due to the formation of subcutaneous tissue, which also contributes to the gradual smoothing of the baby’s skin. As the fetus grows at the 28th week of pregnancy, it increasingly fills the uterine cavity, leaving less and less room for the baby to move. But his activity is still high: the baby has developed his own sleeping and waking patterns, and during hours of activity he noticeably makes himself known to his mother.

Feelings at 28 weeks of pregnancy

This is expressed in the fact that the woman feels the baby’s movements within herself more and more. It is precisely these sensations at the 28th week of pregnancy - sensations of regular movements and periodic activity of the fetus - that are very important for monitoring the normal condition of the baby.

Doctors recommend carefully monitoring your baby's activity, recording his movements in the morning and evening. True, they warn: in the evening, the baby’s movements can be much more noticeable - during the day he often remains calm, pacified by motion sickness from the movements and movements of his mother. But as soon as a woman sits down or lies down in bed in the evening, preparing for a night's rest, how - rrraz! The baby begins to actively move, tumble and kick in the tummy, preventing the mother from falling asleep.

The baby's movements may also increase in response to the mother's food intake - along with an increase in glucose levels in the pregnant woman's body. The baby also reacts with active movements to an increase in adrenaline in the mother’s blood - due to stress or emotional arousal. In general, the baby makes about 10 movements over 10 minutes. However, this does not mean that all the babies in their mother’s tummy should move with exactly the same activity: each baby is unique, some are more “temperamental”, some less so. So, there is no reason to worry, even if the baby moves up to 10 times within an hour. But if movements are felt even less frequently, you should be concerned. If the baby’s movements are not felt throughout the day, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Pain

The seventh month is a very “tangible” month of pregnancy for a woman. So, due to the increasing changes that the body undergoes as the baby grows and the uterus enlarges, a woman may well experience some pain at 28 weeks of pregnancy. We are talking, first of all, about painful sensations in the lumbar region, back - as a result of softening of the supporting ligaments and joints, a shift in the center of gravity due to the growth of the abdomen.

Pain at the 28th week of pregnancy in the lower back, similar to pain with radiculitis, which spreads along the thigh and even “reaches” the knee and ankle, is explained by the pressure of the growing uterus on the sciatic nerve. Usually such pains arise “spontaneously”, are not particularly strong and quite tolerable, and are increasingly aching in nature. But if you experience sharp and severe, cramping pain in the lower back, you should immediately call a doctor - such symptoms may indicate a high probability of premature birth.

You should also listen to pain that occurs in the abdominal area. So, from time to time there may be a sharp and quickly subsiding pain in the hypochondrium - this is the baby digging. If the pain in the hypochondrium is dull, occurs several hours after eating and is accompanied by a feeling of pulling in the abdomen, nausea, and bitter belching, you should definitely be examined by a doctor for possible gallstone cholecystitis.

A special issue is the development of edema, which becomes a frequent accompaniment of pregnancy. Many expectant mothers begin to “swell” to one degree or another, sometimes noticing that their favorite shoes have become too small, and their faces become puffy. However, if the swelling is significant, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible: severe swelling becomes the first sign of dropsy and the further development of a dangerous complication of pregnancy - late gestosis. When edema appears, you need to be especially careful about weight control, reduce fluid intake to avoid its accumulation in the body, and also adjust your diet. So, the amount of liquid consumed per day should be reduced to 1.5 liters (including soups, milk, fruits). To avoid thirst, you must completely avoid foods that provoke it - smoked meats, fried and spicy foods, concentrated broths, and significantly limit the use of salt. It also becomes necessary to control bladder emptying: according to the norm, the amount of urine released during the day should exceed the amount of fluid consumed during the same time.

Weight

As for weight, it is believed that, starting from the seventh month, mommy should gain about 50 g per day and about 300 g (at most, 500 g) weekly. Normally, weight at 28 weeks of pregnancy can increase from 8 to 10.5 kg. And further weight gain must be monitored very carefully, weighing yourself every morning and strictly adhering to the indicated diet.

Nutrition

Nutrition at the 28th week of pregnancy must be structured in such a way as to provide the small organism growing in the womb with all the necessary nutrients and beneficial substances. Doctors, speaking about nutrition while carrying a baby, unanimously agree on one thing: a special diet tailored to the needs of the pregnant woman and the baby inside her can ease the course of pregnancy and ensure normal childbirth.

An important aspect is diet: given that weight gain accelerates from the 28th week of pregnancy, you should consume food 5-6 times a day in small portions, choosing healthy and high-quality foods. In general, the total number of calories ingested per day for a pregnant woman at week 28 should be about 3 thousand units. Moreover, nutrition at the 28th week of pregnancy should be varied, the main amount of calories consumed should be in the first half of the day. After 19 hours, it is advisable not to eat at all, except for fermented milk products in the form of kefir or milk, apples or light vegetable salads.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, significant salt restriction becomes mandatory. As mentioned above, salt leads to fluid retention in the mother’s body, which, in turn, contributes to the development of edema.

Since rapid weight gain also includes eating simple carbohydrates, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of foods containing them. These include confectionery, candies, potatoes, white rice, chocolate, and products made from refined white flour.

In addition to the fact that quickly digestible carbohydrates lead to rapid weight gain, they also cause an increase in glucose levels in the blood of a pregnant woman. A serious consequence of this may be the development of gestational diabetes in the mother, which can complicate not only the course of pregnancy, but also the process of childbirth.

Instead of foods containing “fast” carbohydrates, it is better to enrich your diet at 28 weeks of pregnancy with foods that contain complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates take a long time to digest, bring a long-lasting feeling of satiety, do not cause a spike in glucose and normalize digestion. Foods such as whole grains, a variety of cereals, brown rice, corn, and wholemeal bread contain complex carbohydrates. Vegetables and fruits, in turn, are rich in fiber - it also promotes better satiety, improves intestinal motility, and has a beneficial effect on digestion.

Discharge at 28 weeks of pregnancy

Discharge at the 28th week of pregnancy retains its previous character: normally, the discharge should be light or milky in color, uniform in consistency and with a slightly sour odor. If suddenly the discharge at the 28th week of pregnancy changes color towards gray, green or yellow, is distinguished by the appearance of cheesy formations, clots of mucus or pus, accompanied by itching and a burning sensation in the genital area, you need to consult a doctor for the presence of infection and decide on its scheme treatment.

If there is bleeding, you should immediately call an ambulance. Thus, spotting at the 28th week of pregnancy most often indicates previa or abruption of a normally located placenta. In this case, bloody discharge can have a different character: be insignificant or abundant, spotting, brown or with a scarlet tint. In addition, spotting at 28 weeks of pregnancy may indicate an increased risk of preterm birth. Almost every situation in which spotting occurs is also accompanied by nagging pain in the abdomen. In any case, medical intervention should follow on an emergency basis: if bloody discharge appears, you need to call an ambulance as soon as possible.

Also, a pregnant woman should be suspicious of the appearance of watery discharge, which indicates leakage of amniotic fluid. Water can flow either noticeably or leak slightly. Be that as it may, in such a situation we will be talking about a violation of the integrity of the fetal bladder, and therefore the amniotic fluid flows out.

Sex

If future parents are concerned about the safety of physical intimacy while carrying a baby, then the answer will most likely please them. After all, according to experts, sex at 28 weeks of pregnancy is not only not prohibited, but is even indicated, being one of the ways to get positive emotions, joy and pleasure, and relaxation. Sex at 28 weeks of pregnancy will not harm your baby in any way; the main thing is to choose a comfortable position that will eliminate pressure on the mother’s belly. The only contraindication for having sex at this stage may be a diagnosed threat of premature termination of pregnancy. In all other cases, parents can quite calmly enjoy each other’s closeness.

The 26th week has passed since conception, and 24 weeks have passed since the start of the missed period. It may seem to a woman now that all these events happened quite recently. Time really flew by much faster in the first two trimesters. Now the state of health is changing, it is no longer so cloudless, and the expectant mother may feel that time is now passing more slowly.

Only 12 weeks remain until the cherished date of the expected birth. However, you shouldn’t tune in to it; only 5% of babies are born in the PDD. The rest choose other dates for themselves - either earlier or later than the PDR. If a woman has a planned caesarean section, the date has not yet been determined at all, but it will be approximately 38-39 weeks or a little earlier.

At the 27-28th obstetric week, which we are talking about, a wide variety of changes occur with the baby and mother.

Feelings of the expectant mother

More and more often, a woman wants to lie down and relax; it is increasingly difficult to stand, sit for a long time, or walk. The expectant mother began to get tired quickly, and this is quite natural: carrying a grown baby and her own increased weight becomes very difficult.

The woman’s figure is rounded, and now there is not even a hint of the waist line, the hips are wider than steel. At week 28, a woman may notice that she has deposited “fat” on her hips and abdomen. This is not a consequence of overeating, but a normal physiological process.

Such fat deposits are provided by nature in order to protect the fetus, as well as provide it with energy in case the mother’s nutrition suddenly disappears completely (this happens in nature).

Increased fatigue makes it very difficult to work and study during this period. Those pregnant with one baby begin to kindly envy those who are carrying twins or triplets - such mothers will go on maternity leave in the coming days, while everyone else will have to wait up to 30 weeks.

It is very helpful to be able to take another vacation if the woman has not yet been on it before maternity leave. The law does not prohibit this. And female students can take an academic leave or agree to study at home with the obligation to take all exams and tests in person, in person.

Fetal movements and counting methods

At week 28, many pregnant women notice that fetal movements have become somewhat “quieter” and less frequent. There is still enough room for movement in the uterus, and the baby is not so large as to occupy the entire intrauterine space. The reason for the temporary “fading” lies not in the baby’s parameters, but in the next stage of development of his nervous system - now the baby has better control over his movements, and there are fewer spontaneous movements of his arms and legs, which the mother feels like pushes and kicks.

The baby moves at 7 months quite regularly in general. Already this week, a woman can receive recommendations from her doctor to keep a diary and record the number of fetal movements in it. There are several methods for counting them, but in each one, not a single movement, but a series of movements is taken as a movement. Example: the baby pushed his mother with his leg and turned over - these are not two different movements, but one.

The Pearson, Cardiff, and Sadowski tests are the most common. One of them can be chosen by the attending physician as necessary.

The Sadowski test is a determination of the baby’s motor activity after the mother eats food. If in an hour after a meal a woman manages to record 4 episodes of baby movements or more, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

If the movements are too active (more than 15 episodes per hour) or sluggish (less than 4 per hour after eating), you should definitely go to see your doctor to find out the reasons for this behavior of the baby.

The most popular and widespread method is the Pearson method of calculating movements. The woman is given a special table in which she must enter the time of movements from 9 am to 9 pm or from 8 am to 8 pm.

The time interval between 1 and 10 movements has diagnostic value. If no more than half an hour has passed, the result is good; if about an hour or more, you should consult a doctor.

Counting movements is needed not so much by the doctor, because he has a lot of more accurate ways to find out the nuances of the fetus’s condition, but by the expectant mother herself. This gives her more peace of mind, because she learns to control her baby’s condition on her own and pay attention to possible changes in his behavior. But at each scheduled appointment, the doctor will definitely be interested in how many movements there are and what they are.

In general, the nature of the movements at week 28 becomes more pronounced, that is, the baby’s legs and arms are already beating heavily, sometimes causing pain to its future parent. By this week, most pregnant women manage to establish close contact with their baby - the baby begins to respond to the touch of the mother’s palm on the stomach, to stroking, and the mother knows by the nature of the movements what the baby wants and what he is doing at the moment.

However, you should not assume that the baby will enthusiastically respond with a kick to someone else’s hand placed on his stomach. It’s hard to say how a baby determines its own and strangers, but in fact this is exactly what happens. When touching the belly of a stranger, the baby becomes warily quiet.

Most kids don’t even “trust” their own dads yet. If a man shows persistence, talks to the baby more often, touches his wife’s belly with his hands and cheek, the baby will definitely reciprocate.

At the 28th obstetric week, your child is very sensitive to weather conditions, and is also very dependent on the condition and well-being of the mother. When the weather changes, his physical activity changes. If a woman is happy, the baby behaves more actively compared to moments of mother’s sadness. In response to a delicious dinner or lunch eaten by the mother, the baby in the womb also perks up. The child’s temperament is already completely obvious: he is an active and joyful “fidget” or a calm and imperturbable “sleepyhead”.

Painful sensations

By the 28th week, a rare pregnant woman can boast of a complete absence of pain. Most expectant mothers already have a large stock of complaints and ailments.

7 months of pregnancy is a significant period; during this period, the female body begins to experience overload.

The most common pain at this stage is in the lower back and lower back. The lower back hurts and “aches” mainly due to the fact that the center of gravity has shifted, and it is quite difficult for the muscles to keep the woman in balance. The uterus grows, and along with it, the ligaments that hold it stretch. This causes various pulling sensations on the sides of the lower abdomen, in the lower back and sacral region.

Sharp “shots”, which women often compare to an electric shock, occur when the uterus, which has become large, compresses certain nerve endings. The back hurts not only because of a large belly and sprained ligaments, but also because the chest has become a couple of sizes larger, and the load on the back muscles has increased accordingly.

From 28 weeks your ribs may start to hurt. The uterus squeezes the diaphragm, the internal organs have to “crowd together”, the costal arches slightly “diverge”, which causes a noticeable ache. More and more often, a woman experiences fatigue in her legs, her joints may ache, or varicose veins may appear - all these are consequences of increased body weight during pregnancy. Weight increases faster than the body can compensate for it. The knee joints and ankles are especially vulnerable.

More than half of pregnant women experience pain in the pubic bone at 28 weeks. There is no need to be afraid - this pain indicates that the body has begun to actively prepare for childbirth. The hormone relaxin is produced, which softens and makes the pelvic bones more elastic. At the right moment, they should move apart and let the baby out. The process of softening of bones and ligaments is accompanied by aching and small “lumbago” in the symphysis pubis.

If the pain becomes unbearable, a woman cannot walk, stand, climb stairs on foot, it is difficult for her to sleep due to pain that intensifies at night, be sure to inform the doctor about this - it is possible that symphysitis is developing - a pathological divergence of the pubic symphysis, in which quite often A woman is only advised to give birth by caesarean section.

A woman at 28 weeks should know that any pain that is accompanied by discharge from the genital organs that is different from normal, increasing, cramping or cutting pain is a reason to call an ambulance, because at this stage premature birth is quite possible.

Nature of the discharge

As a woman begins her third trimester, her estrogen production increases. Because of this, the discharge at week 28 may become thinner than it was before. The amount of discharge remains quite abundant, a lot of vaginal secretion is produced. This is necessary to ensure that the composition of the vaginal microflora is maintained at a level that will ensure the “correct” cut in the genital tract.

Thin discharge should not be confused with watery discharge. If a woman is now experiencing heavy watery discharge, she should definitely notify the doctor to make sure that the water does not break or leak.

The norm for the 28th week is considered to be light, slightly watery, homogeneous discharge without impurities or unpleasant odor. The normal variant is a slight yellowish tint (the pregnancy hormone progesterone can give this color to vaginal secretions). If the discharge has acquired a rich yellow color, has become thick and spotty, you should definitely visit a doctor and have a smear test done.

Unpleasant greenish or gray discharge, which is accompanied by a foul odor and itching in the perineum, may indicate the presence of a bacterial infection of the genital tract, a sexually transmitted infection. The discharge is white, with flakes and accompanying itching - this is thrush.

The most dangerous discharges now are those mixed with blood. They can talk about the threat of premature birth, placental abruption, or the onset of premature labor. Bloody discharge can have a different appearance - from pure scarlet blood to pink, cream, brown discharge of varying intensity and consistency.

The habit of wearing daily thin sanitary pads will help you notice changes in time. They will not only “show” the color and consistency of vaginal secretion, but will also help get rid of the feeling of wetness in the perineum, which is associated with a natural increase in the amount of discharge during this period. Tampons cannot be used.

The mood of the expectant mother

At 28 weeks of pregnancy, mood swings, increased irritability, and touchiness are not excluded. Your health is deteriorating, and this is directly related to changes in mood.

Women, for the most part, expect help from loved ones and relatives, but the very fact that they sometimes cannot do without this help is depressing and makes them feel some kind of inferiority. Thus, it is already difficult for a pregnant woman to tie her shoelaces or fasten the zippers on her boots, stand at the stove or hang out the washed clothes. It is often impossible to pick up a fallen object without kneeling.

A quick start to maternity leave also contributes to anxiety, because working women worry about the safety of their jobs: the expectant mother needs to be sure that she will return to work after her leave and that they will be waiting for her there. According to the law, it is impossible to fire a woman who is on maternity or child care leave. So now you don't have to worry about it.

The biggest worry at 28 weeks is the fear of the upcoming birth. Not only those pregnant with their first child are afraid to give birth; women who have already given birth before are often much more worried, since they better understand all the dangers and risks, are familiar with the sensations and possible complications.

If you can’t talk about your experiences with your relatives or a woman does not feel supported and understood, you can seek help from a psychologist who sees expectant mothers in every antenatal clinic free of charge.

Changes in the body

All organs and systems of the expectant mother work to the limit of their capabilities. When their condition is compared to overloads in space, this is not so far from the truth. The uterus is growing so quickly that it is now the largest organ; the rest of the “inhabitants” of the abdominal cavity have no choice but to make room.

Uterine growth

It becomes difficult to breathe. Taking deep breaths is not easy, because now the uterus is pressing tightly against the diaphragm from below. Shortness of breath appears, which intensifies even after slight physical activity. Climbing stairs, walking, and doing household chores are more difficult.

The uterus, which before pregnancy was the size of a woman’s fist, has now grown to an impressive size. The standing height of her day this week is 27-29 centimeters. The uterus already rises 8 centimeters above the navel line.

Shortness of breath is not the only problem caused by this increase. Heartburn and belching are a consequence of compression of the stomach, diarrhea and gas formation are associated with pressure on the gallbladder and a violation of the outflow of bile, constipation is a consequence of the pressure of the uterus on the intestinal loops. Frequent urination is the scourge of all pregnant women, because the bladder is one of the first to be compressed by the uterus.

The normal length of the cervix is ​​35-45 mm; slight shortening is not considered a pathology, especially with multiple or repeat pregnancies. But shortening less than 35 mm is considered a threat of premature birth.

The baby is already quite heavy, it is noticeably pressing on the inside of the neck. A healthy, wealthy cervix can withstand such pressure until 38-40 weeks of pregnancy. With isthmic-cervical insufficiency, the risk of having a baby prematurely due to the fact that the cervix simply cannot hold it in the uterus is tens of times higher.

The uterus may become toned more often than before. If this happens too often, the woman is prescribed treatment. “Ginipral”, “Papaverine”, “No-Shpa” help to relax the uterine muscles.

At 28 weeks, wearing a prenatal orthopedic bandage will be beneficial. This device allows you to lighten the load on the lower back, legs and back, which will manifest itself in a reduction in discomfort.

Weight gain

Weight gain at 28 weeks is intense and does not give the expectant mother the most pleasant sensations. The woman has already become noticeably “heavier,” but this is caused not only by her own weight, but also by the weight of the child, who is now more than a kilogram, and the weight of the placenta, which is already approaching 400 grams. There is about a liter of amniotic fluid, and the uterus itself now weighs about 600 grams. The amount of blood in a pregnant woman’s body has increased, and this also affects her weight.

The weekly increase during this period should not exceed 400 grams. If we evaluate the total increase over the entire period of bearing the baby, then it is already significant - more than 9 kilograms.

• Thin girls can gain 10 kilograms by this week.
• Representatives of the fair sex with a normal weight - about 9 kilograms.
• Women who had problems with excess weight before conception should not gain more than 6 kilograms.

Women often pay attention to the fact that different doctors use different weight gain tables. One doctor, if you gain 8 kilograms at week 28, will say that this is an excellent result and everything is normal, while another will suggest a diet for weight loss. You need to focus only on the standards of the doctor who is observing your pregnancy, without comparing your increase with others.

A significant lag in weight gain may alert the doctor, since it may indicate pathologies of the placenta and intrauterine growth retardation of the baby. “Too much” is also dangerous - the frequency of complications during childbirth in women with pathological weight is higher than in those who have gained less.

Also, excess body weight can be a sign of the presence of internal edema - gestosis.

Training contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions at 28 weeks, according to available statistics, are experienced by approximately 50% of women. Basically, these are those who are about to give birth to their first child. For women who are carrying their second, third or next child, false contractions usually appear closer to birth, sometimes several days or even hours before it. There are women who do not experience false contractions at all. For example, pregnant women again after a first pregnancy that ended in a cesarean section very rarely encounter the phenomenon of false labor.

The true nature of Braxton-Hicks contractions is not entirely clear to doctors and scientists today. A common version of what is happening explains them by the preparatory “work” of the uterine muscles.

A woman rarely feels such contractions. They manifest themselves as slight tension in the abdomen; the woman feels for a few seconds or minutes that the uterus is becoming “stone”. If you lie down and rest, the smooth muscles of the uterus relax again.

This is the main difference between false contractions and real ones. Once labor begins, nothing can stop the contractions. Neither rest nor a warm shower will help.

Other changes

Blood pressure rises, and at week 28 it reaches the level that was natural for the woman before pregnancy. But expectant mothers who are prone to high blood pressure may begin to suffer from hypertension. Therefore, now more than ever, it is important to monitor your blood pressure by taking daily blood pressure measurements on both arms.

Pregnant skin becomes drier, and in some places there are areas of increased pigmentation. Moles and freckles become brighter. Now you shouldn’t sunbathe, because sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation increases tenfold.

Itching may appear in the thighs, chest and abdomen: this is a consequence of stretching of the skin. The formation of “stretch marks” is also a fairly common phenomenon associated with rupture of elastin and collagen fibers in stretched areas of the skin.

Cholesterol levels increase in the blood. And this is the rare case when such a phenomenon is considered the norm. This substance is necessary for the placenta so that it can cope with its hormone-forming function.

Sweat glands continue to cause a lot of hygienic and aesthetic inconveniences: sweating is increased, a woman often feels “hot.” The breasts swell and the amount of colostrum increases.

At this stage, a woman is most susceptible to allergies - contact and food. This is due to a temporary decrease in immunity. And even those women who have not previously had allergic manifestations may begin to suffer from itching and unusual rashes, cough and runny nose after using cosmetics for “stretch marks”, after imported strawberries purchased in January, after taking the most common multivitamins.

Baby development

New organs and systems are not formed at week 28 (corresponding to embryonic week 26). Everything has already been formed and is preparing for the fact that the baby will soon begin to exist separately from the mother. The prenatal period has ended, and from week 28 the perinatal stage or peripartum begins. Now the main task of your baby is to grow and get stronger; by the time of birth, he needs to accumulate weight.

The baby's growth this week increased slightly compared to the previous week - only 1 centimeter. Now it is about 36-37 centimeters.

The weight of the fetus increases more noticeably: at week 28 it is on average in the range from 1300 to 1400 grams. There is already a difference in weight between children of different sexes. So, girls at 28 weeks are approximately 150-200 grams lighter than boys.

The vast majority of babies have already taken a head-down position in the uterus. Head presentation is considered the most suitable for birth. If your baby is still sitting on his bottom (breech presentation) or lying transversely (transverse presentation is quite rare), there is still a chance that the position will change to the cephalic position.

There is still room in the uterus for the baby to turn over. For this, a woman is recommended to do special gymnastics and stand in a knee-elbow position. This helps many people.

Appearance

The accumulation of subcutaneous fatty tissue is one of the most important processes at this stage, because how much of it is formed determines how the baby will be able to retain heat after birth. While fat deposits predominate on the cheeks, lower back, and neck. Deposition of subcutaneous tissue begins in the buttock area. A nice plump butt will appear soon.

The child looks quite proportionate. Head, body, limbs - everything is in visual “balance”. A week earlier, the baby began to take a natural “bending” position. It no longer fits in the uterus in an extended state and becomes cramped.

Now, due to the fact that the baby draws in his legs, diagnosing the baby’s gender on an ultrasound may be difficult. If previously it was not possible to find out the gender, now the accuracy of determination is low: the genitals are covered with legs, umbilical cord, and arms.

All the baby’s facial features are fully formed. The eyes still seem large, but this is due to some thinness. As you gain weight, this visual “deception” will dissipate.

The ears are slightly protruding: the cartilage tissue does not harden immediately, it takes time. The eyebrows, which a couple of weeks ago resembled Brezhnev’s - heavy and large, are becoming smaller and no longer “hang” over the eye sockets.

There is a layer of cheese-like lubricant on the baby’s body that protects the skin, which has not yet completed the formation of all its protective functions. The lubricant is fixed and held in place by a layer of original lanugo hair. They appeared almost as soon as hair follicles formed, and at 28 weeks the baby begins to get rid of them.

The skin becomes more and more perfect; lubrication remains only in folds where friction is possible, and in vulnerable places - the groin, folds on the arms and legs, and neck folds. Closer to childbirth, the lubricant will remain mainly there. There is almost no need for lanugo either. Hair falls out. By this week, the baby will get rid of about a tenth of his hair.

Nervous system

The baby's movements already resemble the movements of a newborn baby. To achieve this, the nervous system had to work hard, and its formation is not yet complete. The baby has several reflexes important for survival - sucking, swallowing and grasping. This is just the “tip of the iceberg”. In addition to them, the baby already exhibits muscle and tendon reflexes, tonic and cervical.

Experts also include breathing movements as reflexes, which are now clearly visible on ultrasound. The baby does them irregularly. Doctors believe that this way the baby improves its blood circulation, since during such movements the pressure inside the abdominal cavity decreases and the blood flow into the vena cava increases. Also, breathing movements at week 28 actively prepare the lungs and bronchi for future independent breathing.

All main sections of the central and peripheral nervous systems are formed. The development of the brain occurs most intensively. Now it has formed centers that will subsequently be responsible for thinking, analytical abilities, speech perception, and images. The functional component of the thermoregulation center is laid down.

New neurons are formed in huge numbers every hour. They build new neural and neuromuscular connections, connecting the muscles with the brain, so the baby already has good control over the movements of his arms and head for his age.

The brain is now interconnected with the adrenal cortex, the child has its own hormonal background, and growth hormones are one of the first to begin to be synthesized.

In a baby, one of the hemispheres already predominates over the other. If he prefers to suck the fist of his right hand more often, he is already right-handed; if he prefers to suck with his left hand, he is left-handed. In rare cases, ambidexters are born - people who can use both their right and left hands equally well.

The brain already receives signals from the senses. The baby listens and hears how the mother’s body sounds from the inside, he especially likes her voice and the beat of her heart.

External sounds reach him with difficulty: the thick abdominal wall, placenta, and amniotic fluid interfere. But the baby can hear some things - loud claps, calls, loud voices, music. The baby becomes less timid than a week earlier, he gradually gets used to sounds from the outside.

The optic nerve begins to send the first images to the brain. So far these are colored spots of different sizes. But now the baby “understands” the danger of bright light: the corresponding reflex makes him close his eyes if a strong beam of light is directed at the pregnant woman’s belly.

The baby’s sense of smell is practically formed, and he mastered the sense of touch quite a long time ago. From the 28th week, he becomes more picky about “food” - his taste buds improve. Now the baby has access to subtle nuances of tastes.

The baby sleeps approximately 21-22 hours a day. He dreams because his REM sleep phase is already recorded by hardware. The baby is very sensitive to the mother’s emotions and experiences, so now it is very important to protect the expectant mother from stress and shock.

Development of internal organs

All the baby’s internal organs are functioning normally. They are formed and are now only increasing in size. Digestion is established: the baby drinks amniotic fluid, lanugo and the epithelial cells that are present in it are not digested and are sent directly to the intestines, where, mixing with bile, they become the basis of original feces - meconium.

The baby will have a bowel movement after birth. In some cases, intrauterine bowel movement occurs. It is usually associated with severe fetal hypoxia, and meconium in the waters is the basis for early delivery.

The baby’s heart pumps more than 20 liters of blood per day, works “like a clock”; the normal heart rate at 28 weeks of pregnancy is considered to be 140-169 beats per minute. All blood vessels are fully formed. The baby produces all structural blood cells. The kidneys are busy producing urine, the baby pees once an hour or a little less often.

The most global processes this week take place in the baby’s respiratory organs. In the lungs, the formation of alveoli - small bubbles - direct participants in gas exchange is completed. To prevent their walls from sticking together after the first exhalation, you need a special substance - a surfactant. Its production is now carried out by immature alveoli.

The more surfactant the baby accumulates by the time it is born, the greater the chance of survival it will have. A common cause of death in premature babies is acute respiratory failure, which develops due to a small amount of surfactant.

Viability

Seven-month-old babies survive very well if they are born prematurely. Everyone knows about this, even people far from medicine. If birth occurs at 28 weeks, the baby will be considered seven months old. About 95% of babies are viable at this stage.

According to the medical classification of prematurity, they are considered very premature and will need a special incubator for some time. In it, the child will “ripen”, receive oxygen and be warmed, since the amount of subcutaneous tissue that has accumulated in the child by the 28th week is not enough for the body to retain heat.

The baby will have to spend as much time in the incubator as it takes for him to gain weight of 1 kilogram 700 grams. Then the baby will be transferred to a heated crib, and when his weight exceeds 2 kilograms, the child and mother will go home.

Those born at the 28th week of pregnancy have not only a high chance of survival, but also a slightly reduced risk of developing pathologies of the nervous system, although this option cannot be completely excluded: an immature nervous system can present a lot of unpleasant “surprises”, which no one can calculate and predict even the most experienced doctor.

Your baby on ultrasound

A referral for an ultrasound scan at the 28th week of pregnancy is issued only for special medical indications, which include the threat of premature birth, suspicion of fetal distress, and pathologies of the placenta.

If a pregnant woman just wants to admire her baby, and gynecologists often joke that the best medicine for an expectant mother is an ultrasound, then she can do this for a fee in any clinic that offers such diagnostic services.

Whether it is harmful or not to do ultrasound frequently during pregnancy is a controversial issue. There are many reasons for different answers to this question. Officially, there is no harm from ultrasound examination.

Opponents of the study point out that the consequences of ultrasound have not yet been fully studied. Therefore, this question remains at the discretion of the pregnant woman herself and her family members.

If, after all, you plan to have an ultrasound at 28 weeks, you should know what normal baby development norms are typical for the current week:

• BPR - 65-79 mm;
• LZR - 83-99 mm;
• DBK - 49-57 mm;
• DKG (tibia or tibia length) - 45-53 mm;
• DKP (shoulder bone length) - 45-53 mm;
• Head circumference - 245-275 mm;
• Abdominal circumference - 220-280 mm.

The placenta now has a thickness of 22-37 mm, most often 28-29 mm. Its maturity level this week is normal - zero. In the case of premature aging of the placenta, the woman is prescribed special treatment, which is designed to maintain the “baby place” in a functional state for as long as possible.

Dangers and Risks

A woman’s immunity is greatly reduced, and it is this reason that at 28 weeks of pregnancy becomes the main risk factor. At the very beginning of pregnancy, a decrease in immune defense cannot be avoided: this mechanism is provided to ensure that the mother’s immune system does not reject the embryo. As a result, by the middle of pregnancy, immunity decreases by about 30%, and by week 28 it becomes even weaker.

This creates a real threat of contracting influenza or ARVI, and other viral and bacterial infections. Even a common cold can haunt a woman more often and be more severe than usual. Often women at this stage are faced with sore throat, conjunctivitis, rhinitis and bronchitis.

These illnesses themselves are no longer as dangerous for the baby as they were at the very beginning of gestation. It is now much more dangerous for a woman and child to try to treat a runny nose or reduce a fever with folk remedies or medications, the use of which has not been agreed upon with a doctor.

The danger of premature birth can lie in wait for any woman, not only pregnant women at risk for miscarriage, isthmic-cervical insufficiency, etc.

A correct lifestyle and a woman’s attentive attitude to her health and the need to follow recommendations will help reduce the likelihood of labor starting at such an early stage.

Now you should avoid sudden movements, injuries, heavy lifting and excessive physical activity. If your health worsens, you should immediately consult a doctor: in many cases, premature birth can be stopped in a hospital setting with the help of medications. Such a pregnant woman will have to stay under the supervision of doctors for several weeks.

Poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle and pressure of the uterus on the intestines and inferior vena cava at this time can cause symptoms of hemorrhoids - itching in the anus, pain during bowel movements, burning, blood during bowel movements. There is no need to endure them: in the third trimester, you can use a fairly wide range of medications for this delicate illness. Your doctor may recommend a specific remedy.

Analyzes and examinations

At the 28th week of pregnancy, a full examination is required for women who are going on maternity leave - expectant mothers of twins or triplets. For other women, as before, only a general blood test is recommended, which will show whether the woman has gestational diabetes and anemia, and a general urine test, according to which the doctor will evaluate the functioning of the pregnant woman’s kidneys and make sure that she does not have gestosis.

Women with a negative Rh factor are given a blood test for antibody titer this week, if the study was not carried out a week ago, and, if necessary, anti-Rh immunoglobulin is administered.

If the child’s condition is alarming, there is a suspicion of fetal hypoxia or other disturbances in its development, the first CTG (cardiotocography) may be prescribed this week.

At the 28th week of pregnancy, a woman’s diet should become more calorie-dense - the calorie requirement increases to 3200 Kcal. This does not mean that you can now eat fried and fatty foods.

• Plan to go on maternity leave, try to delegate all matters to colleagues, and do not leave unfinished tasks or unresolved issues. You are entitled to sick leave from the 30th week. You can calculate the amount of maternity payments taking into account income for the last two years using special calculators.
• When going on vacation or traveling to gain strength before giving birth, be sure to check with the airline company whether you need a doctor’s certificate stating that the flight does not threaten your health. Typically, such certificates are required from all expectant mothers starting from the 28th week of pregnancy.
• If you suffer from insomnia, purchase a special pillow for pregnant women. It allows you to comfortably place your now large belly, and the quality of your sleep will improve somewhat. Also, walk more in the fresh air, and don’t neglect an evening walk before bed.

• Start doing Kegel exercises - a set of exercises for training the pelvic muscles, which will be good preparation for childbirth. In addition, such gymnastics significantly improves the quality of sex. Before starting classes, be sure to check with your doctor if you have any contraindications to it.
• Sex itself at 28 weeks is not prohibited if the pregnancy proceeds without complications or threats. But now he requires his partners to be more sensitive to the position of women. Anal sex, positions that place pressure on the abdomen, and positions with deep penetration are contraindicated.
• If the child's dowry has not yet been prepared, you can go shopping this week. The pregnant woman still has the strength to do this; going to the store will not turn into a complete torment. If you put it off until a later date, you will have to make purchases with all your might.

• Remember that your baby feels everything. Read him fairy tales and sing songs, watch good films in which there are no bloody scenes or violence, listen to soft, pleasant music: good taste and a sense of beauty are already being formed. Avoid scandals, shouting, swearing, negativity and stress.
• Follow the rules of personal hygiene. Sweating, a large amount of discharge, reduced immunity - these are good prerequisites for the development of infectious diseases, as well as relapse of chronic diseases.
• Be sure to include “quiet hour” in your routine. An hour and a half of daytime sleep will help a woman more easily endure all the hardships of the third trimester.