Week 28: It’s the third trimester!
Image: @crohnskenziestyle.
Welcome to week 28 of the Happy Parents Happy Baby guide to pregnancy, birth and beyond.
This week we'll be covering:
We hope you enjoy it!
Side sleep
It looks like this is the sleep issue this week - and we’re sure you’re not complaining because you’re getting too much of it!
Sleep in pregnancy is really important. It allows your body to rest and reset and keeps your immune system healthy. It also gives your blood vessels a bit of time off as they’re put under a lot of pressure as your bump grows.
There’s nothing worse than having the added worry of what position to sleep in when you’ve already got enough on your mind but here are a few tips to help you drift off and stay safe.
Sleeping on your tummy once you have a bump is not recommended, plus it’s also not very comfortable. Instead, experts say you should try to sleep on your side during your second and third trimester. Sleeping on your back is not advised because it can restrict the flow of blood from your heart to your lower body which could have an impact on the oxygen and blood which flows to your baby.
Sleep experts say, if you can, try to sleep on your left side as it allows for maximum blood flow and maintains good kidney function which is important for eliminating waste from your body and reducing swelling. Don’t worry if you do wake up on your back, you can just roll back over again. The fact that you’ve woken up is probably your body giving you a signal to roll over.
If you’re not used to sleeping on your side you can use pillows to prop you up and use a pregnancy pillow to give you extra support both at the front and back. You might want to put a pillow between your legs to keep your hips in line if you’re suffering from any pelvic or lower back pain.
Most women will find that they’re getting less sleep, or poor quality sleep, now that they’re pregnant. If you feel like your sleep issues are affecting your day-to-day life then speak to your GP or midwife who may be able to help.
Your baby’s development in week 28
Size of a head of lettuce
Weighs approximately 1kg
Around 37.6cm long
Congratulations, you’re officially in the third trimester now!
Their heartbeat may now be able to be heard through a stethoscope at your antenatal checks.
Your baby will have also started blinking at this stage and also dreaming! Experts have found that babies at 28 weeks start to develop sleep cycles and even begin to experience rapid eye movement sleep which means they could be dreaming
Week 28 Checklist
You might like to:
Plan your route to the hospital. We know you’ve probably visited the hospital for your appointments but have you driven there at night or in rush hour? Do you know any shortcuts or routes which might avoid speed bumps? It might be beneficial to make time for a few practice runs to reduce any unnecessary stress when you’re in labour.
Talk to your midwife about newborn screening tests. Your baby will be offered a hearing test, physical examination and heel prick test in the first few days after the birth. The heel prick test takes a small blood sample which can be tested for nine rare but serious health conditions.
Be aware of pre-eclampsia symptoms. Your blood pressure and urine will be checked at all of your routine appointments but it’s also worth being aware of other symptoms such as sudden swelling of your hands, face and feet, vision problems and severe headaches. If you notice any of these symptoms, phone your maternity unit immediately. You can find out more here.
Spotlight on: Insomnia
Each week we'll be delving into the common symptoms of pregnancy and bringing you top tips for managing them from our team of specialists and parent community.
Insomnia
Now that you’re into your third trimester you’re probably finding that people are telling you to get as much sleep as you can, while you can. This is all very well-meaning but not easy to hear if you’re already finding yourself awake in the early hours.
Insomnia during pregnancy is really common, especially as you get closer to your due date. It could affect you in a number of ways. It might be that you struggle to get to sleep, or perhaps you find it hard to stay asleep and lie awake for a number of hours in the middle of the night. Or, you may wake very early and be unable to go back to sleep. However it affects you, it can be really frustrating and have an impact on your energy levels and mood.
Insomnia is caused by hormonal changes but disruption to your sleep can also be caused by a few other factors:
Trips to the toilet
Leg cramps or restless leg syndrome
Aches, pains and discomfort
Vivid dreams and nightmares
Kicking and other movement from your baby
Temperature changes in your body
Anxiety and worries
Indigestion
What can you do to increase those zzzzzzzs?
Avoid caffeine and chocolate - especially late in the day
Get into a good bedtime routine - have a warm bath, read a book and switch your phone off
Try to do some exercise daily
Limit the amount of fluids you drink in the evenings to cut down on night-time trips to the loo
Keep your meals small to avoid heartburn late at night
Open a window to stop your bedroom from becoming too stuffy
Make yourself as comfy as possible by using pillows and a pregnancy pillow
Rest during the day
The safest position to sleep is on your left side. The NHS says research suggests lying on your back after 28 weeks can increase the risk of stillbirth. This is due to a chance of restricting the flow of oxygen and blood to the baby. Don’t panic if you do wake up on your back, you can just roll over to your side again. Try using a pillow to support your bump and between your legs to ease any pelvic or hip pain you’re experiencing.
Sleeplessness in pregnancy can also be a symptom of anxiety or depression. If you feel like you’re struggling with your mental health, speak to your GP or midwife and they will be able to get you some help and support.
Tommy’s has a Q&A on safe sleeping in pregnancy here.
Birth story of the week
This week we catch up with Kat and Paul from our Stratford course who share the positive birth of their baby Raff.
“The birth was overall very positive. I started having contractions at 3am and little Raff was in my arms by 3pm. We had spent a lot of time on hypnobirthing techniques (thanks to HPHB) and were able to put them into practice which made the whole experience calm and I felt in control. We stayed at home listening to my favourite music, went for a long walk, attempted a jigsaw (I didn't contribute much!) and used breathing techniques until midday. By this time my contractions were still only 2 in 10 minutes but were lasting about a minute. We decided to go to the birth centre to get assessed as they had become more intense and I was open to pain relief. It turned out I was 6cm dilated which gave me the confidence to continue unassisted.
“Once I got to the room everything happened very quickly. My waters broke - movie style, and about 10 minutes later my body wanted to push. The midwives were not convinced it was time, but I wasn't able to ignore it and it turned out I was fully dilated. I got into the birthing pool which was amazing and despite a bit of trouble getting his head out, he arrived shortly after.”
Thank you to Kat for sharing her positive birth story.
Treat of the week
The first year of your baby’s life is huge in terms of development and growth. The Lovevery play gym helps your child connect with play, connect with you, and connect with the world around them, supportimg their development and giving you some hands-free time.
Products are based on suggestions from our specialists and community of parents. We may earn commission from shopping links.
Join our community
Happy Parents Happy Baby is here to support you through every step of your pregnancy, birth and parenting journey.
Connect with other parents-to-be and learn everything you need to know, by joining our award-winning antenatal classes.
That's all for now...
Thank you so much for joining us!
Have a great week.
Team HPHB x
Information you
can trust
Our articles are based on the latest-evidence based guidelines and scientific research and are written by our team of medical experts.
Coming up
next week
Signs you’re in labour
Spotlight on: Braxton Hicks
Check out our Instagram page for extra resources from our team of experts and for free live events, such as pregnancy relaxation sessions
Follow us @happyparents.happybaby
