Overview
Welcome to the third trimester — the home stretch begins. Welcome to the third trimester, the home stretch where growth quickens, appointments may become more frequent, and movement awareness becomes especially important.
Third Trimester · Weeks 28–42
Week 28 Pregnancy
Welcome to the third trimester — the home stretch begins.
About the size of a eggplant3 min read10 sections
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Baby Development
The baby is opening the eyes, practising breathing motions, and adding body fat that helps with temperature control after birth. Brain development is especially active, and movement patterns may start feeling more regular to you.
Baby Size
A playful size comparison for this week is eggplant. That eggplant-sized baby is now big enough for movement patterns to become a meaningful daily check-in.
Mother's Body Changes
The bump is prominent, sleep can become more broken, and your back, ribs, and pelvis may all want more negotiation. You may also be asked to monitor the baby's movements more intentionally from this point onward.
Common Symptoms
Week 28 can bring strong kicks, heartburn, swollen feet, backache, breathlessness on exertion, and Braxton Hicks. Some people also notice restless legs or numbness in the hands at night.
Nutrition Tips
Third-trimester growth needs steady iron, calcium, protein, and fluids, so keep meals regular even when heartburn makes eating feel less fun. Fibre also matters because supplements and reduced activity can make constipation creep back in.
Exercise & Movement
Gentle walking, stretching, swimming, and prenatal yoga are still useful if your doctor agrees, but recovery matters more now. Move in shorter, more frequent sessions if long workouts leave you sore or exhausted.
Emotional Wellbeing
Entering the third trimester can feel exciting, sobering, and oddly fast all at once. The finish line is closer, but there is still a lot of pregnancy left to carry.
Partner Support
Partners can help by learning about kick awareness, upcoming appointments, and the practical preparations that will matter later. Shared readiness reduces last-minute stress.
Warning Signs
Urgent warning signs this week include heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fever, fainting, leaking fluid, or a severe headache with vision changes. Get urgent advice for painful regular contractions, bleeding, fluid leakage, or any clear drop in the baby's usual movement pattern from here onward. From week 28 onward, contact your care team promptly if the baby's usual movements slow down, weaken, or stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
From around week 28 onward, being familiar with your baby's usual movement pattern matters much more. If movements slow down or feel weaker, contact your care team.
ParentVibes Tip
Antenatal visits usually become more frequent now. Antenatal visits often become more frequent now, so keep a running note on your phone for questions that pop up between appointments.
Continue your journey
Explore the full third trimester guide.
ParentVibes offers general information, not medical advice. Always follow your doctor or midwife.