At a glance
Baby’s senses are fully developed now, all five of them
Feeling contractions? They’re likely to be practise ones, aka Braxton Hicks
Take it easy. You’re seven months pregnant - leave the heavy work to someone else
When your taste buds are tickled so are baby’s. Add flavour and spice - if you’re still into it
few weeks.
If you feel your Braxton Hicks increasing rapidly it can mean you’re putting your body through too much strain, so take it easy. If you’re still working, have frequent short breaks when you can and leave the heavy lifting to others. Drink plenty of water as dehydration can make Braxton Hicks feel worse. Mind you, so can having a full bladder or being on your feet for a long time, we’ve got more about Braxton Hicks here.
If the contractions get stronger, cause you any pain or don’t stop, it’s worth visiting the hospital, even if it’s just for reassurance.
You might occasionally be feeling out of breath these days. It’s the extra pressure from your ever-increasing uterus pushing against your diaphragm and restricting its range of movement. Think of it as an invisible bear hug and it might not feel so bad.
Your skin may look a little different. Some women get brown patches due to increased melanin in the blood although these usually fade away after a few months. They’re triggered by UV, so it’s wise to put on a stronger factor of sun-cream than normal.
Breast changes are also part of the package. You may notice small areola (spot-like glands) that have enlarged. These produce fluid to lubricate your nipples in preparation for breastfeeding.
Nutrition at 28 weeks pregnant
Are you a lover or hater of that famous spreadable yeast extract? Whichever camp you’re in, it’s likely baby will be on your side too, because their taste buds will be tickled by the same things yours are.
By the seventh month of your pregnancy, all of baby’s five senses are fully developed. Aromatic molecules in your food are carried to them via the amniotic fluid, along with your pleasure hormones. After birth, baby will remember these flavours. So, if you keep eating a diverse diet while you’re breastfeeding, your milk will be flavoured too. All those different foods will help baby’s sense of taste mature.
Plus, breast milk cleverly provides the right type of protein at the right time to help your little one develop.
What if baby comes early?
Many women worry that their babies will be born earlier than expected. In fact, only 8 out of 100 babies are born prematurely, before the 37th week, and most babies make it through to full term.
By week 24 a pregnancy is considered viable and a baby born now, at week 28, has a very high chance of surviving.
Call your midwife or maternity unit if you have the following symptoms before 37 weeks:
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regular contractions or tightenings
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period-type pains
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a "show" – when the plug of mucus that has sealed the cervix during pregnancy comes away and out of your vagina
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a gush or trickle of fluid from your vagina – this could be your waters breaking
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backache that's not usual for you
