Pregnancy - 28 weeks

28 WEEKS PREGNANT

At 28 weeks pregnant this is the start of the final trimester.  Your baby will be approximalty 25cm long.  Your baby will weigh approximately 1.09 kilograms, and you will have put on anywhere between 7 - 11 kilograms.

The baby is getting lots of nourishment through the placenta and the umbilical cord, so any unwanted substances the mother takes eg: alcohol and drugs your baby will also ingest.  Talk to your doctor before taking any sort of medication.

The baby's eyes are partially opened and it can now turn its head.  Fingernails also start forming.  The baby's body is covered in vernix.  Vernix is something that covers the baby: it is a white cheesy substance that usually disappears when your baby is born.  Your baby's brain is still developing and the baby's hair is growing longer.

Your baby may start hiccuping it will usually do this when you are sleeping or just resting (very annoying I can assure yu as I used to wake in the night wih my baby hiccuping).

You will coninue to see your doctor, he/she may order some tests for you.  These include:

• Blood test to see your haemoglobin levels.  If low my indicate Anaemia - not enough iron.
• Gestational diabetes.  This is a type of diabetes that occures during pregnancy.  It means that your body is not giving enough insulin to keep up with your blood sugar levels.  You will go to pathology and they will give you a sugary drink to take ant then test 2 hours later to see if your bllod sugar level had gone up.
• Strep B.  This is a type of bacteria that can be harmful to your baby, but it is easily treated if detected.  A simple vaginal swab is done and if positive antibiotics will be given during labour.

At this stage of the pregnancy you may have a bit of fluid retention or oedema (commonly known as swelling).  This usually happens in the legs and feet but can also happen in your fingers and ankles.  Fluid retention is normal but if you feel you are getting extra puffy and it is causing some discomfort please notify your Doctor.

To help reduce swelling:

• Keep your legs elevated whenever possible.
• Drink plenty of water.  Do not cut down on drinking water, this will only make you and your baby dehydrated.
• Do not add salt to your food.
• Try wearing comfortable shoes; get a bigger size if you have to.
• If your fingers are prone to swelling take off any rings.

You may start to experience some heartburn.  Heartburn is some discomfort behind the breatbone, this maybe a burning sensation.  Sometimes you can get a bit of regurgitated stomach acid or food.

To alleviate heartburn:

• Eat frequent small meals.
• Avoid fatty food, spicy food and/or choclate.
• Try not to rest lying flat, elevate your head on a couple of pillows.
• Yoghurt is a good stomach acid neutraliser, so try to eat plenty of it.

You are now in the home stretch, the final trimester you have only 12 weeks to go.