Pregnancy Week 28

Pregnancy week 28 marks some significant changes in both you and your baby. This is the last week of your second trimester of pregnancy; you are one week away from the home stretch. Baby continues to grow and gain weight, and so do you. Add another half-pound to his weight this week and another inch to his length!

Hey There, Einstein! Baby's Brain Development

Baby's head is the focus of attention during this week of your pregnancy. Until this point, his brain (if you could see it) was smooth and did not have lumps or contours, such as the kind we associate with a mature brain. However, this week natural grooves or lumps are forming in his brain. Baby is also growing more hair this week. He may be born with a head full of locks, or completely bald. If he does have hair at birth, it may fall out and be replaced with a different texture or color of hair. On the other hand, he many not lose any at all. You just never know. The same holds true for his eye color. Some babies are born with light brown eyes that turn blue and others are born with dark blue eyes that turn brown. It is common, but again, it does not happen with all babies.

The Rh Factor

At this stage of your pregnancy, your doctor will do several tests. One is a RhoGam test. This test is important because it determines the Rh factor in your blood. Some women are Rh negative and, if that is the case, then the doctor will administer an injection of RhoGam during the 28^th week of pregnancy. The injection protects a mother from becoming sensitized in the event the baby's blood mixes with hers during pregnancy. It provides protection through the end of the pregnancy and delivery of the baby.

Testing For Gestational Diabetes

A blood glucose test that determines whether you have gestational diabetes will also be performed. It is possible to develop gestational diabetes, even if there is no history of diabetes in your family, from week 24 through the end of your pregnancy. If you do develop gestational diabetes, your doctor will monitor your baby's growth to ensure he does not grow too big. You will probably see a dietician to plan a diet and exercise program that will provide both you and baby the best possible outcome both during and after the pregnancy. Usually, this type of diabetes disappears after the baby is born.

Visits to the doctor will be stepped up from this point. You will be visiting every two weeks instead of once a month, and by the time you reach week 36, you will be seeing your doctor every week since baby may make his entrance any time after that.