What is going on with your baby during week 28?

Changes in you at this stage Week 28

• By the end of this week you would have completed 70% of your pregnancy. You are gaining more weight.
• From now you will be seeing your doctor every 2 weeks then weekly from week 36.
• Your perspiration can get trapped in the skin folds which can be irritating. Try using talcum powder.
• If you are going to get stretch marks, you probably have them by now

Good to Know in Week 28

Term Baby

• Why doesn't pregnancy end at week 37 since it is considered full term? The reason is that although baby is considered fully developed and it can survive outside the utero, baby still needs more time to add weight and develop her lungs and immune system further. Issues on labor you can check beforehand:
• Labor and delivery are not in your control. It makes sense to check with your doctor on key issues and be emotionally prepared for the consequences.
  1. Shaving: more and more doctors do not require that you be shaved although in some instances, if you have a c-section you may be shaved.
  2. Induction after waters break: many doctors consider it routine to induce within 24 hours of rupture for fear of infection.
  3. Fetal monitoring: some women prefer no restrictions in movement during active labor but with constant fetal monitoring this is not possible.
  4. Food: most doctors prefer an empty stomach because digestion doesn't work well during labor. However some doctors allow hard candy and ice chips.

Wholesome Advice in Week 28

• Put yourself first and don't feel guilty.
• Pamper yourself - you deserve it!
• Stay positive despite what you are going through. List all the things you are looking forward to about your baby's arrival.
• Good buys if you are looking for ways to lift your spirits are earrings, scarves, necklaces and a great haircut.
• Remember that hot weather, standing for long periods or low blood sugar can make you feel dizzy and prone to fainting. Drink water and stay in the shaded areas.

Your actions can impact your baby's growth at this stage

Low Fat # Low Taste

If you are trying to put a halt to your weight gain, here are some ideas you can use:

• Cook in a nonstick pan and use water or stock to keep your food from sticking
• Grill meats instead of frying them
• Roast meats on a raised rack so that the juices drip into the pan
• Reduce the fat in salad dressing by replacing half of the oil with water. For creamy dressings, use yoghurt or cottage cheese instead of sour cream or mayo.

Body temperature

• If your hands turn clammy or you get hot or cold flashes your body is messaging you that it is having a hard time regulating the internal thermometer. Your body faces the risk of getting overheated just as you do and blood flowing to the uterus will be diverted to the skin as the body tries to cool itself off. Expert advice is: your temperature should be less than 38.3C or 101F (when taken under the arm) after exercising. Keep a close watch on this.

Just how much of Exercise

• Exercise too little and not much is achieved; exercise too much and you may harm yourself. A full workout for a pregnant woman on a regular basis should last about 30—60 minutes, from warm up to cool down. Further your heart rate should not be over 140 for more than 15 minutes according to experts, although this again depends on your health and your exercise history.

Common Concerns in in Week 28

What does having protein in the urine mean?

• The presence of protein in your urine informs how your kidneys are performing. Small amounts are not uncommon and simply mean your kidneys are working harder during this time. Your body is fighting a minor infection and your urine sample will be sent for analysis to determine whether you have a urine infection. Antibiotics may be prescribed and in your following appointment the protein level will be checked to check for changes. If there are high levels of protein present a blood sample may be taken to check for preeclampsia.

Will I have any more ultrasound scans?

• You are unlikely to need an ultrasound scan in late pregnancy unless yours is a multiple pregnancy, your previous baby was small or you have a health complication such as hypertension or diabetes etc. A scan may be advised if your baby's position is unclear or if there is some concern over how the baby is thriving or to measure your amniotic level. If you have a low lying placenta, expect to be scanned again at week 36.

Weekly Nutrition advice in Week 28

• Certain foods you should eliminate altogether and some you should make it a point to include are outlined below.