The development of the fetus at 28 weeks is marked by an increase in the size of the fetus' body as well as an increase in organ function and physical ability. Approaching the time of delivery which is only a few weeks away, pregnant women may also feel some complaints when they reach 28 weeks of pregnancy.
It doesn't feel like pregnant women have entered the third trimester of pregnancy, and in a few months, pregnant women will be able to meet their little ones. On the sidelines of busy preparing for childbirth and baby equipment, don't forget to regularly monitor the development of the fetus at 28 weeks of gestation.
28 Weeks Fetal Development
The fetus that continues to grow and develop in the womb of the pregnant woman is one sign that the pregnancy is going well. The following are some benchmarks for 28-week fetal development that pregnant women need to know:
1. Fetal body weight increases
At this week, the baby in the mother's womb is the size of a large pineapple or eggplant. Normally, a 28-week fetus weighs more than 1 kg, with a body length of approximately 37-38 cm.
2. Fetal head position changes
The development of the fetus at 28 weeks is also marked by a change in the position of the head. In this week, the position of the baby's head is at the bottom of the uterus and facing the birth canal. To confirm its position, the doctor can perform a physical examination and support in the form of ultrasound to monitor the location and condition of the fetus.
However, pregnant women don't need to worry if this week the baby's head is still in the breech position, because the fetus still has about 3 months left to change its position.
3. Fetal brain is developing rapidly
At 28 weeks of gestation, the size of the baby's head will continue to increase along with the rapid growth of brain tissue. There are billions of new nerve cells being formed, so the size of the baby's brain triples in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Not only that, the function of the sense of smell, hearing, and sight is also increasing. In this 28th week, the fetus is able to blink and its eyelashes have started to grow.
4. Lungs have started to function
Before entering the third trimester of pregnancy, the fetus is still breathing with the help of its mother through the umbilical cord and placenta.
Entering the age of 28 weeks, the fetal lungs are already well formed, so the fetus begins to learn to breathe using its own lungs. In this stage, the baby may be able to survive even though he was born prematurely, but his condition is still weak enough to survive outside the womb.
5. Other organs are growing
Entering the third trimester, the layer of fat in the body of the fetus is also increasing. This makes the wrinkles on the skin less and the baby's skin smoother.
Fetal hair growth is also still ongoing, the hair is getting more and longer than before. The bones are also getting formed, although they are still soft and will only really harden after birth later.
Changes in the Mother's Body at 28 Weeks of Pregnancy
The development of the fetus at 28 weeks also brings changes to the pregnant woman's body. With the increase in the size of the fetus and uterus, the pregnant woman's weight will also increase by about 7-10 kg from the time before pregnancy.
From this gestational age until the baby is born, pregnant women will feel more every movement and kick of the fetus. Pregnant women are advised to count and record fetal movements every day to monitor their condition and be aware of potential problems with the fetus.
Changes in hormones and weight, increasing size of the fetus, as well as the development of an increasingly active fetus, can cause pregnant women to experience various complaints, such as:
- Back pain
- leg cramps
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Constipation
- Breath feels heavier
- Mood swings or mood swings
- Morning sickness or nausea and vomiting
- Fake contractions
To help relieve the symptoms that appear, pregnant women are advised to get plenty of rest, sleep lying on their left side, don't stand too long, reduce stress, take a warm bath, and exercise regularly.
If the complaints that pregnant women feel do not get better or even get worse, immediately consult a gynecologist.
Entering the gestational age of 28 weeks and beyond, it is necessary to have more frequent check-ups with the obstetrician or midwife.
If previously the pregnancy examination was carried out only once every month, now the doctor may advise pregnant women to have a pregnancy check every 2 weeks. This is important to do to monitor the condition of pregnant women and fetuses and determine the right delivery method later.