Key Milestone Weeks in Pregnancy

You may be offered Glucose Tolerance Test to check for gestational diabetes. This test screens for gestational diabetes, a condition where pregnancy hormones interfere with insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. It typically occurs between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

How it works:

• You’ll be asked to fast for 10 hours (usually overnight).
• At the clinic, you’ll drink a glucose solution.
• Your blood will be tested at intervals (usually before, 1 hour after, and 2 hours after drinking the solution) to see how your body processes sugar.

Why it matters:

• Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of complications like high birth weight, preterm birth, and type 2 diabetes later in life for both mother and baby.
• If diagnosed, it’s usually managed with diet, exercise, and sometimes insulin.

You may also be offered an Anti-D injection if your blood type is Rhesus (Rh) negative. This injection is offered to pregnant women who are Rhesus (RhD) negative to prevent haemolytic disease of the newborn, a condition where the mother’s immune system attacks the baby’s red blood cells.

How it works:

• Typically, the injection is given at 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy.
• A third dose may be given after birth if your baby is confirmed to be RhD positive.

Why it matters:

• The Anti-D immunoglobulin prevents your immune system from producing harmful antibodies, protecting your current and future babies.

Your baby should have a regular pattern of movement. If movements slow down or change significantly, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

At 28 weeks, your baby is about the size of an eggplant. They weigh around 1 kilogram and measure approximately 37-38 centimetres from head to toe. This is a time of rapid growth, and over the next few weeks, your baby will gain weight and develop fat layers that help regulate body temperature after birth.

Mood swings, fatigue, and emotional sensitivity are common. However, if feelings of sadness or anxiety persist for more than two weeks, it may be a sign of antenatal depression or anxiety, and support is available.

Make an appointment with your doctor or midwife to discuss changes like these. For further support. you could also call Lifeline on 131 114, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or PANDA on 1300 726 306.

From 28 weeks onward, it is safest to sleep on your side, either left or right. This recommendation is based on research showing that lying flat on your back can: 

• Cause the uterus to press on the vena cava, a major vein that returns blood to your heart.
• Reduce blood flow and oxygen to the baby, which may increase the risk of stillbirth, especially in the third trimester.
• Lower maternal blood pressure and cause dizziness or nausea in some women.

• Use a pillow between your legs and another behind your back for support.
• Try placing a small pillow under your belly. A wedge pillow can prevent rolling onto your back and provide extra comfort.
• If you wake up on your back, don’t worry, just roll back onto your side.
• While the left side is often recommended for optimal blood flow to the baby and kidneys, it’s perfectly fine to switch between left and right to stay comfortable

If you notice any of the following, contact your healthcare provider immediately:

• A sudden decrease in baby movements.
• Severe or persistent headaches.
• Blurred vision or vision changes.
• Heavy bleeding or fluid leakage.
• Sudden or severe swelling in your hands, face or feet.
• Strong abdominal pain.

These may be signs of complications such as preeclampsia, preterm labour, or gestational hypertension.