Weeks 25 to 28 can bring a mixture of excitement and practical questions. Your baby's movements may be easier to recognise, your next antenatal visit may include several routine checks, and a glucose test may be due. A list of tests can feel worrying, but most are offered to find concerns early rather than because something is already wrong.
This guide explains why gestational-diabetes screening often falls in this window, how preparation can differ between clinics, what to know about baby movement, and what may happen at an antenatal appointment in India. Your own maternity-care plan remains the most important guide because test methods, appointment schedules and follow-up vary.
At a glance
- Screening for gestational diabetes is commonly performed between 24 and 28 weeks, although your timing may differ because of earlier results, health history or local practice.
- Glucose-test preparation is not the same everywhere. Some services use a non-fasting test and others use a fasting oral glucose tolerance test. Follow the written instructions from the facility doing your test.
- There is no universal number of movements that every baby should make. Become familiar with your baby's usual pattern as it develops.
- If movement becomes less, stops or changes from your baby's usual pattern, contact your maternity-care team promptly. Do not wait until the next day or rely on a home Doppler.
- An antenatal visit may include questions about your wellbeing, blood pressure, urine, growth, movement and follow-up of blood tests, medicines or supplements.
- Blood-group follow-up, anti-D care and tetanus-diphtheria vaccination depend on your results, records and clinician's plan; they are not identical for everyone.
- Bleeding, watery fluid loss, severe or persistent pain, severe headache, vision changes, chest pain, breathing difficulty, fainting, a seizure or feeling seriously unwell need prompt or emergency assessment.
Why a glucose test may be due
Gestational diabetes is high blood glucose that develops or is first recognised during pregnancy. It may not cause noticeable symptoms, which is why testing can be recommended even when you feel well.
Government of India guidance includes glucose testing early in antenatal care and repeat testing between 24 and 28 weeks when an earlier test is negative. Other health systems also commonly test during this period, but eligibility and timing can depend on risk factors and local policy. If you do not know whether a test has been arranged, ask at your next appointment rather than assuming it is unnecessary.
The test helps your clinician decide whether you need further review. A screening recommendation is not a judgement about what you have eaten or how well you have managed pregnancy.
What happens during the test?
The exact process depends on the protocol used by your facility. It commonly involves drinking a measured glucose solution and having a blood sample taken at a specified time. Some services take more than one blood sample. The appointment may therefore take longer than an ordinary blood test.
Ask how long to allow, whether plain water is permitted, and what to do about prescribed medicines that morning. Do not change a medicine or supplement unless the clinician or testing service tells you to do so.
Should you fast before the glucose test?
Do not use a general online rule for this. India's public-programme guidance includes a non-fasting single-step test, while some other services use a fasting oral glucose tolerance test. Following the wrong preparation could delay the test or make the result difficult to interpret.
Use the instructions from the clinic or laboratory that will perform your test. If the message is unclear, call them before the appointment and ask:
- whether and for how long you should avoid food
- whether plain water is allowed
- whether usual medicines or supplements should be taken
- when the last meal should be finished
- how long you are likely to remain at the facility
Take the test request, ANC or Mother and Child Protection record, identification requested by the facility and a list of your current medicines. If you feel unwell, vomit during the test or cannot finish the drink, tell the staff rather than trying to interpret what this means yourself.
What happens after the result?
Ask when and how the result will be shared and who will explain it. Do not diagnose gestational diabetes from symptoms, a home glucose reading or a number seen online. Different tests use different procedures, and your maternity-care team should interpret the correct result in the context of your pregnancy.
If follow-up is recommended, it may involve further assessment and a personalised care plan. Do not begin a restrictive diet, stop prescribed food or supplements, or use someone else's glucose targets without professional guidance.
Baby movement between 25 and 28 weeks
Movements may now feel like kicks, rolls, stretches, turns or smaller fluttering sensations. They may become easier to notice as the weeks pass, but each baby's pattern is individual. Placental position, fetal position and your activity can affect what you feel.
There is no single normal number that applies to every baby. The useful habit is to become familiar with when and how your baby usually moves. You do not need an app, chart or universal kick target unless your maternity-care team has given you a specific plan.
If movement is reduced, stops or changes
Contact your obstetrician, midwife, maternity unit or hospital promptly if movement becomes less, stops or changes from your baby's developing usual pattern. Do not wait until the next appointment or the next day when you are concerned.
Do not use food, a cold drink, music or a home Doppler as a test of wellbeing. Hearing a heartbeat with a home device does not confirm that the baby is well and may delay appropriate assessment. If you have reached this stage and have not felt movement at all, contact your maternity-care team for advice.
What may happen at an antenatal appointment
Appointment schedules differ between services and may change because of previous results, multiple pregnancy, health conditions or symptoms. Government of India guidance places a routine visit broadly within the late-second to early-third trimester, but your own schedule may differ.
Depending on what has already been completed, a visit between 25 and 28 weeks may include:
- questions about symptoms, baby movement, sleep and emotional wellbeing
- blood-pressure, weight and urine checks
- measurement or examination of the growing uterus when appropriate
- review of glucose, haemoglobin, blood group or other test results
- review of prescribed iron-folic acid, calcium, medicines and side effects
- discussion of tetanus-diphtheria vaccination according to your record
- planning for the next visit, scan, test and where to seek help outside clinic hours
Routine checks matter even when you feel well because high blood pressure, anaemia and glucose changes may not always cause obvious early symptoms. Take your ANC or MCP record, previous reports, vaccination details and current medicine list.
Haemoglobin and prescribed iron
Your clinician may review haemoglobin results and how you are managing prescribed iron-folic acid. Tiredness has many possible causes in pregnancy, so it cannot diagnose anaemia by itself. Ask how and when your result will be reviewed.
If iron causes constipation, nausea or another side effect, tell your clinician or pharmacist. Do not stop it, double it or replace it with a different product without advice.
Blood group and anti-D care
If your blood group is RhD negative, your maternity-care team may discuss anti-D care based on your results, pregnancy history and local protocol. Anti-D is not required by every pregnant person, and timing is clinician-led. Ask what your blood-group result means for your own plan and whether any additional care is due after bleeding, abdominal injury or a procedure.
Tetanus-diphtheria vaccination
In India, tetanus-diphtheria vaccination in pregnancy is planned according to documented vaccination history and the current local schedule. Bring your record and ask whether a dose is due. Do not restart a schedule or assume that everyone needs the same dose in the same week.
Common changes during weeks 25 to 28
Back, hip or pelvic discomfort
Posture, ligament changes and the growing uterus can contribute to aches. Regular position changes, supportive footwear, ordinary pillows and gentle activity when suitable may help. Ask for assessment if pain is severe, persistent, worsening, affects walking, or occurs with bleeding, fluid loss, fever, painful urination, weakness or numbness.
Heartburn or constipation
Smaller meals, staying upright after eating, enough fluid, fibre-rich foods and suitable activity may help. Do not stop prescribed iron because of constipation without advice. A clinician or pharmacist can recommend pregnancy-appropriate treatment when self-care is not enough.
Swelling
Gradual swelling in both feet or ankles can occur, particularly after standing or in hot weather. Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet—especially with severe headache, vision changes, pain below the ribs, breathing difficulty, nausea or feeling very unwell—needs urgent assessment. Pre-eclampsia can develop after 20 weeks and cannot be ruled out at home.
Sleep, mood and uncertainty
Physical discomfort and worry about tests or movement can affect sleep and mood. Tell your maternity-care team if anxiety, low mood, panic, intrusive thoughts or poor sleep are affecting daily life. Seek emergency help if you may harm yourself or someone else.
When to contact your maternity-care team
Contact your obstetrician, midwife, maternity unit or hospital promptly if you have:
- movement that has reduced, stopped or changed from your baby's usual pattern
- any vaginal bleeding or watery fluid leaking from the vagina
- severe, persistent or worsening abdominal, pelvic or back pain
- regular tightening or cramping that concerns you
- a severe or persistent headache, blurred vision, flashing lights, pain below the ribs or sudden swelling
- fever, chills or feeling acutely unwell
- persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down or very little urine
- pain or burning when urinating, blood in the urine or pain in your side
- one-sided leg pain, warmth, redness or swelling
- any symptom or change that feels wrong or is difficult to manage
Get emergency help now for heavy bleeding, severe pain with fainting or collapse, chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, a seizure, loss of consciousness, or a rapidly worsening condition.
Questions and records for your next appointment
- Which glucose test am I having, and what exact preparation does this facility require?
- When and how will I receive the result?
- What should I do if my baby's movement reduces or changes, including at night?
- Are my blood pressure, urine and haemoglobin results complete for this stage?
- Is a tetanus-diphtheria dose due according to my record?
- Are my prescribed medicines, iron-folic acid and calcium still appropriate?
- Which number should I call outside clinic hours?
Related pregnancy guide
For the stage immediately before this one, read 21 to 24 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Movement, Appointments and When to Seek Care.
Common questions
Does being asked to take a glucose test mean I have gestational diabetes?
No. Screening is commonly offered because gestational diabetes may have no obvious symptoms. The appropriate test result must be interpreted by your maternity-care team.
Can I eat normally before the test?
That depends on the protocol used by your facility. Some tests are non-fasting and others require fasting. Follow the clinic's written instructions and call them if anything is unclear.
Should I count a fixed number of kicks?
There is no universal number for every baby. Become familiar with your baby's individual pattern and follow any personalised monitoring plan from your maternity-care team.
What if movement is different but I can still hear a heartbeat at home?
Contact your maternity-care team promptly. A home Doppler cannot confirm wellbeing and should not delay assessment for reduced, stopped or changed movement.
The bottom line
Between 25 and 28 weeks, routine screening and antenatal checks can help identify concerns early, while your baby's movement may become easier to recognise. Ask for the exact glucose-test instructions from your own facility, keep your records together, and use appointments to clarify results and next steps.
There is no universal test preparation, movement number or appointment schedule. Follow your clinician's plan, and contact a maternity professional promptly for reduced or changed movement, bleeding, fluid loss, severe pain, severe headache, vision changes, breathing difficulty or another worrying symptom.
Sources
Accessed 23 August 2026.
Government of India. Reproductive and Child Health programme guidance.
Government of India. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan.
Government of India. Routine Immunization Manual for Health Workers.
World Health Organization. Recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience.
World Health Organization. Recommendations on care for women with diabetes during pregnancy.
NHS. Antenatal care and appointments.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Your baby's movements in pregnancy.
World Health Organization. Pre-eclampsia.
National Health Mission, Government of India. Pregnancy Care guidance.
About this article
Researched and written by the MomCare Haven Editorial Desk using the reliable sources listed above. This article has not been reviewed by an external medical specialist.
Medical disclaimer
This article provides general educational information and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Pregnancy care, tests, medicines, supplements, diet and activity recommendations should be decided with a qualified clinician who knows your health history and local services. Seek urgent medical help for warning signs or whenever you feel seriously unwell.
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