Pregnancy: 28 weeks
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
How the child grows:
By this week, your child weighs a kilogram already, and his height is 38 centimeters. She blinks, billions of neurons develop in his brain, and his body is actively gaining weight in preparation for the birth.
Important: the development of each child is strictly individual. Our information is designed to give you an idea of the development of the fetus.
Changes of the future mother
You are advancing towards the final stage, this week begins the third and final trimester. In the course of which you will gain 5 kilograms.
In the third trimester, consultations tend to be more frequent and you will have to visit a doctor every two weeks and after 36 weeks once a week. Depending on your risk factors, the doctor may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis, check for a smear for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and also perform a 3-hour test for glucose tolerance.
During this period, some women may develop tired legs syndrome - a common phenomenon in pregnant women. Try to relax or massage your legs, and also reduce the use of caffeine, which can exacerbate the symptoms.
3 The question of pre-eclampsia
Preeclampsia is a complex disorder that affects 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women. A woman diagnosed with pre-eclampsia has high blood pressure and an elevated level of protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy. Complications caused by preeclampsia can damage various organs and cause serious or even life-threatening problems. The only way to get rid of the symptoms is to have a baby.
Symptoms of pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia can develop suddenly, so it is important to know its symptoms. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of the following warning signs:
- Swelling of the face or eyes, excessive swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles.
- Rapid weight gain
- Severe or persistent headache
- Visual disorders
- Intensive pain in the abdominal cavity
- Nausea and vomiting
Pre-eclampsia can develop without obvious symptoms, especially in the early stages, and some symptoms may seem like normal pregnancy manifestations. Thus, you can not always easily identify the disease, this is another reason why it is so important to attend all the prescribed consultations.
Risk factors for pre-eclampsia?
The development of pre-eclampsia is more affected by women during the first pregnancy.
Other risk factors include:
- Chronic arterial hypertension
- Blood clotting disorders, diabetes, kidney failure and autoimmune diseases (eg, lupus)
- Genetic predisposition
- Obesity
- Multiple pregnancy
- Age under 20 or over 40
How to prevent the development of preeclampsia?
There are no reliable methods for preventing pre-eclampsia, although research is currently underway in this area. Many studies have studied the ability of calcium, vitamins and a small dose of aspirin to prevent the disease, but the results have been mixed. At this stage, doctors advise to observe prenatal care and attend all planned medical consultations. At each visit, the doctor will check blood pressure and protein levels in the urine. It is also important to know about precautionary signals of pre-eclampsia so that, if necessary, quickly recognize the disease and seek medical attention.
This Week's Activity: Choose a doctor for your child. Consult your friends and family when looking for a pediatrician. Choose a doctor based on feedback, professional qualifications and convenient location of the clinic.
[