In 60 seconds
Your short plan for this week
Make a third-trimester question list: visit frequency, blood results, vaccines, movement, birth setting, classes and work or leave paperwork.
Confirm what changes after week 28 and whether any blood tests, injections or vaccines are due.
Do not ignore breathlessness at rest, chest pain, fainting or a racing heart that feels severe or new.
What you may notice
Your body and how you may feel
The second trimester may end with stronger movement and more physical effort in everyday tasks.
What is happening
Baby’s development this week
The second trimester is ending, with ongoing brain and lung development.
Plain-language examples
What this means in real life
There is no requirement to feel energetic just because the second trimester is often described as easier.
A short checklist
What to do now
- Make a third-trimester question list: visit frequency, blood results, vaccines, movement, birth setting, classes and work or leave paperwork.
- Stay active in ways that feel stable and are appropriate for your pregnancy.
- Learn what movement changes should prompt a call later in pregnancy.
Pause and check
What not to do—or what to ask first
- Do not ignore breathlessness at rest, chest pain, fainting or a racing heart that feels severe or new.
What may be coming up
Appointments, tests and decisions
Confirm what changes after week 28 and whether any blood tests, injections or vaccines are due.
Choose birth and newborn learning
Look for evidence-based antenatal education that includes recovery and newborn care.
Ask about gestational diabetes testing
Timing and testing method depend on your medical history and care plan.
Learn your baby's movement pattern
As movement becomes familiar, ask your care team what to do if it slows or changes.
Review pregnancy vaccinations
Confirm current and seasonal recommendations with your clinician.
For the support person
One useful thing a partner can do
- Turn the question list into shared tasks with names and dates instead of leaving every preparation item to one person.
Contact your care team
Contact your doctor or maternity team promptly
Some concerns need advice before the next routine appointment even when they do not feel like an emergency. If a symptom becomes severe, sudden or frightening, use urgent care instead.
See when to contact careUrgent or emergency
Urgent signs during pregnancy or within a year after birth
Get medical care immediately for these symptoms. The list is not exhaustive; if something feels seriously wrong, seek help.
Open urgent warning signs