28 weeks pregnant what should i be doing

Using breast milk for eczema is a popular home remedy. Here's what the research says about acupuncture for your morning sickness. Pumping shouldn't hurt. If your nipples are painful or sore, there are there are things you can do. Learn what to expect during your first prenatal visit. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M.

Changes in your body. Your baby. Share on Pinterest Illustration by Alyssa Kiefer. Things to do this week for a healthy pregnancy. When to call the doctor. Parenthood Pregnancy 2nd Trimester. Placenta Delivery: What to Expect. Read this next. Work You might start thinking about when to stop working while pregnant.

Many women find about weeks is ideal, although some will need to stop earlier or work longer. Feeling stressed or sad Pregnancy check-ups are a chance to talk about any worries or problems at home. Try this exercise to narrow your list and get on the same page with your partner: Make a list of ten names you like. Have your partner do the same.

Trade lists and each cross out one name on the other's list that you don't love. Keep taking turns until you have a set of names you can both live with. If you haven't already, the third trimester is the perfect time to switch reading gears from pregnancy to baby. You won't have as much time to read after your baby's born, so learn all you can about the first few weeks now.

A good place to start is BabyCenter's newborn area. All states require newborn screening tests for rare but serious conditions, including hearing loss , congenital heart defects , and metabolic disorders. These tests detect disorders that can cause long-term health problems, or even be fatal, if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Find out which screening tests your baby will have and what's involved.

Your baby can hear you now , and talking to them is a great way to start the bonding process. If having an actual conversation with your bump seems odd, try narrating your daily activities; reading a book, magazine, or newspaper aloud; or sharing your secret wishes for your child. This is great practice for after your baby's born, too. Talking to babies is one of the best ways to help them develop language skills. Once you have your baby gear must-haves , it's time to set them up!

This is the perfect job for your partner or a friend who wants to help. Cribs , bassinets , and strollers can be tricky to put together, especially when you're sleep-deprived, so get started now. Swings , mobiles , and monitors often require batteries, so make sure you have enough on hand. You can't drive your baby home without a car seat , and they can be more complicated to install than you'd think.

So don't wait until the last minute. If you're having trouble, some car seat manufacturers have a toll-free number for you to call so an expert can walk you through the process. Or get a car seat safety inspector to help you.

You know all those adorable, pristine newborn outfits and blankies you bought or received as gifts? It's time to throw them in the laundry. You should wash anything that will go near your newborn's skin to remove any irritants in the fabrics. The gentlest detergents are those designed for babies and those that are labeled hypoallergenic or good for sensitive skin. If friends and family can pitch in after your baby's born, set up a schedule so each person has a specific task and date to do it.

Or ask a friend or relative to create this. Tasks could include bringing your family a meal, picking up groceries, taking care of your older children, doing the dishes, cleaning up, taking out the garbage, or walking your dog.

Splurge on some professional maternity photos. Or, celebrate your amazing pregnant belly by decorating it with beautiful designs you can use regular face paint , getting a henna "tattoo" applied go to an artist who uses the pure, natural kind , or making a belly cast.

It's a good idea to stock up now on pantry staples, frozen food, medicine, toilet paper, sanitary pads for postpartum bleeding , shampoo … even extra pairs of comfy underwear.

And of course, make sure you have newborn necessities like diapers , wipes , baby clothes , and bottles and formula if you plan to use these. Whether you keep a formal journal or just jot down a few notes when the spirit moves you, you'll love sharing these pregnancy stories with your child someday. Learn more about journaling during pregnancy. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Nutrition during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Johns Hopkins Medicine. The third trimester. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: Katie Rain for BabyCenter. What is the third trimester? When does the third trimester start? Third trimester symptoms Weight gain in the third trimester Sex during the third trimester Third trimester pregnancy checklist.

Third trimester symptoms Unfortunately, serious pregnancy complications can surface in the third trimester — including premature labor and preeclampsia. Swelling Swelling in the third trimester is normal, especially in your ankles and feet, because you're retaining more water. Nausea Third trimester Nausea usually wanes around week 15, but may reappear in the last few months of pregnancy.

Cramping in the third trimester As you approach your due date, you may notice an increase in cramping, which could be a sign of early labor. He continues to take to minute naps with some routine. Your Changing Body at 28 Weeks Pregnant At 28 weeks pregnant and throughout this month of your pregnancy , your weight should go up and your skin probably will keep changing.

You should be gaining about a pound a week. Learn more about where the weight goes. Stretch marks: As your skin expands during pregnancy, stretch marks can appear on your skin. These red, pink, or purplish streaks may appear on your stomach, breasts, arms, hips, thighs, or rear.

Stretch marks are not a sign that you're gaining too much weight — they can appear on the slimmest of pregnant women! You could try a cream specifically made for stretch marks. Thank the family tree. Whether you get stretch marks has more to do with heredity than any other factor.