You and your baby at 25-28 weeks pregnant

The baby is moving about vigorously, and responds to touch and sound. A very loud noise may make him or her jump and kick, and you'll 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 she or he will soon start blinking. It's not until some weeks after the birth that your baby's eyes become the colour they will stay.

Read 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, and are still developing.

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 pregnant

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 suffer from tiredness in pregnancy.

You may have some swelling in your 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 GP so they can take your blood pressure and rule out a condition called pre-eclampsia, which can cause swelling.

Tips for 25-28 weeks pregnant

If you're 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're 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.

If you're entitled to Maternity Allowance, you can claim from when you're 26 weeks pregnant. GOV.UK has information on benefits for families.

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

Whooping cough vaccination

Pregnant women in England are advised to have the whooping cough vaccination between 20 weeks (after the scan) and 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnancy infections

Find out about infections that can be harmful to you or your unborn baby and how to protect yourself against them, including toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and rubella.

Healthy eating in pregnancy

Find out about how to have a healthy diet in pregnancy, as well as the foods to avoid when you're pregnant.

Warning signs during pregnancy

High blood pressure and protein in the urine are signs of pre-eclampsia, which can be life threatening if untreated.

Severe itching at any stage of pregnancy can be a sign of the rare liver disorder obstetric cholestasis.

If pregnancy goes wrong

Support is available from your care team and other organisations. Read more about when pregnancy goes wrong.

Pregnancy week by week

Find out what's happening to you and your baby at:

0-8 weeks pregnant

9, 10, 11, 12 weeks pregnant

13, 14, 15, 16 weeks pregnant

17, 18, 19, 20 weeks pregnant

21, 22, 23, 24 weeks pregnant

29, 30, 31, 32 weeks pregnant

33, 34, 35, 36 weeks pregnant

37, 38, 39, 40 weeks pregnant

Over 40 weeks pregnant

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