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Sign InWeek 28 — Dreaming in Colour
Overall Pregnancy
Your Baby is About
large eggplant
Your baby is about 38cm and just over 1kg — the size of a large eggplant. The eyes can now open and close fully, and your baby is developing a proper sleep-wake cycle with REM sleep. The bone marrow has fully taken over red blood cell production. Lungs are capable of breathing air now, though they still need more development.
From Week 28, your provider will recommend kick counting as a regular practice — tracking 10 movements within a 2-hour window, once a day, ideally at the same time. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening — a vaginal swab — will be offered between Weeks 35–37. Rh-negative mothers will also receive an anti-D injection around now if they haven't already.
By Week 28, about 9 in 10 babies born at this stage survive with intensive NICU care — a number that has improved dramatically over recent decades. In the 1960s, survival at 28 weeks was rare. Modern neonatology has transformed outcomes for premature babies, and the threshold for viability continues to improve. Every week your baby stays in the womb from here on increases their chances significantly.
Sleep is getting harder — and it only gets harder from here, so invest in whatever helps now. Left-side sleeping is recommended, but if you wake up on your back, don't panic — just roll over. A wedge pillow under your bump and another between your knees can help significantly. Do whatever gets you the most rest.
Calcium and vitamin D together are essential for your baby's rapid bone development this trimester. Fortified dairy or plant milk, salmon, and eggs provide both. Your prenatal vitamin should also contain both.
Disrupted sleep affects mood significantly — be patient and understanding, and look for ways to reduce sleep interruptions. An extra duvet, blackout curtains, or earplugs can all help.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation. Read full disclaimer