28 Weeks Pregnant: Baby the Size of an Eggplant

Week 28 starts the third trimester. From here, getting to know your baby's pattern of movement is one of the most useful things you can do.

Your baby this week

Eyes and lashes: Your baby can open and close their eyes, and has eyelashes.
Brain: Brain tissue is growing quickly and folding.
Weight: Your baby is putting on weight steadily from now until birth.

Strong, regular movement. Learn what's normal for your baby. How to count kicks.
Back and pelvic aches as your body prepares.
Shortness of breath and heartburn, both common now.
Braxton Hicks more often. How to tell them from contractions.

Your face, hands or feet swell suddenly, or you have a bad headache or blurred vision
You have bleeding, fluid leaking, or regular tightenings or period-like cramps
Your baby's movements have slowed down or changed
You have strong itching, especially on your hands and feet

Any time of day or night. You will never be a nuisance for calling.

From week 28

Checkups are often every two weeks.

Around week 28

Anti-D if you're rhesus negative, and sometimes a repeat blood count.

Weeks 30–35

A good time to get your bag ready. Hospital bag checklist.

Add your own, then bring the list with you.

Know when to call. Save the maternity unit's number in your phone today, and know that reduced movement means calling straight away.

Enter your due date once and NUGA knows you're at week 28. The day before each appointment, it gathers what you've noted and the questions to bring.

This page draws on public guidance from:

General information, not medical advice. Every pregnancy is different, and your midwife or doctor knows yours. Last updated October 2026.