Welcome to the third trimester! Your baby has crossed a massive weight milestone this week, officially hitting the 1-kilogram (2.2 lbs) mark. The survival rate for a baby born at 28 weeks is now over 90%, largely due to the rapid maturation of the brain and the lungs' ability to breathe air.
🍼 What's Happening With Your Baby
Now the size of a large eggplant, the baby is settling into the correct position for birth, though they still have enough room to flip around.
The eyes can now produce tears. The irises are beginning to accumulate pigment, though the final eye color won't be set until months after birth.
The baby's body fat has increased to about 2-3% of their total weight, smoothing out the wrinkled skin and providing vital insulation.
🤰 What You're Feeling This Week
The third trimester brings a return of first-trimester exhaustion, but for a different reason. You aren't building a placenta anymore; you are carrying a heavy physical load that disrupts your sleep and drains your energy.
Your doctor will now want to see you every two weeks instead of every four. They will measure your fundal height, check your blood pressure, and test your urine for protein.
You might notice a dull ache in your pelvis. Relaxin is softening the cartilage joining your pelvic bones (the symphysis pubis) to allow the baby's head to pass through during birth.
The Third Trimester Begins
You have entered the home stretch. The final 12 weeks are dedicated entirely to the baby gaining weight and preparing for life outside the womb.
✅ What To Do This Week
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Start formal kick counts — Sit quietly once a day and time how long it takes to feel 10 distinct movements (kicks, rolls, or flutters). It should take less than two hours. If it takes longer, or if you notice a sudden decrease in movement, contact your doctor immediately.
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Get the Tdap vaccine — The CDC recommends receiving the Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) between weeks 27 and 36 to pass whooping cough antibodies to the baby.
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Do not ignore decreased fetal movement — A decrease in movement is often the very first sign of fetal distress. Do not wait until your next appointment; go to triage for monitoring.
"The finish line is visible. The weight is heavy, the sleep is fragmented, but the kicks are strong. You are officially in the final chapter."
— A Note From Your Body, Week 28