You and your baby at 25-28 weeks pregnant

Your baby

The baby is moving about vigorously and responds to touch and sound. A very loud noise may make her or him jump and kick, and you will be able to feel this.

Your baby is regularly passing urine into the amniotic fluid. Sometimes the baby may get hiccups and you can feel the jerk of each hiccup.

The baby's eyelids open for the first time and he or she will soon start blinking. It's not until some weeks after the birth that your baby's eyes become the colour that they will stay. You can find out more about your baby after the birth.

By now your baby's heart rate will have slowed to around 140 beats per minute. This is still considerably faster than your own heart rate.

Your baby's brain, lungs and digestive system are formed but not fully mature – they'll spend the rest of your pregnancy developing so that they work properly when your baby is born.

By 28 weeks, your baby weighs around 1kg and is perfectly formed. The baby's heartbeat can now be heard through a stethoscope. Your partner may even be able to hear it by putting an ear to your abdomen, but it can be difficult to find the right place.

Your baby continues to put on weight as more and more fat appears under the skin.

Your body at 25-28 weeks

You may get indigestion or heartburn, and it might be hard to eat large meals as your baby grows and takes up some of the space where your stomach normally is. You may also find you are quite often getting tired.

You may have a swollen face, hands or feet. This might be caused by water retention, which is normal (try resting and lifting up your swollen feet to ease it). Be sure to mention any swelling to your midwife or doctor so that they can take your blood pressure and rule out a condition called pre-eclampsia, which can cause swelling.

Things to think about

Maternity Leave

If you are taking maternity leave from work, you need to tell your employer in writing at least 15 weeks before your baby is due. This is when you are 25 weeks pregnant. If your partner plans to take paternity leave (female partners can take paternity leave too) they also need to inform their employer at this time.

Maternity Allowance

If you're entitled to Maternity Allowance, you can claim from when you are 26 weeks pregnant. Gov UK has information about benefits when you're expecting or bringing up children.

Starting your birth plan

Think about your preferences for labour and birth, for example pain relief, and the positions you would like to be in. You can do your birth plan online, and print out a blank version to fill in and discuss with your midwife.

Warning signs during pregnancy

High blood pressure and pre-eclampsia

High blood pressure in pregnancy can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, which can be life-threatening if untreated.

Severe itching

Severe itching can be a sign of the rare liver disorder obstetric cholestasis.

When pregnancy goes wrong

There is support available from your care team and other organisations. Find out more about when pregnancy goes wrong.

Pregnancy week by week

29, 30, 31, 32 weeks pregnant

33, 34, 35, 36 weeks pregnant

37, 38, 39, 40 weeks pregnant

Over 40 weeks pregnant

 

Last Updated: 19/04/2021 10:18:34
The information on this page has been adapted by NHS Wales from original content supplied by NHS website nhs.uk