You are now at the end of the second trimester! Your bump is visible making it harder for you to walk, sit or sleep. But don't let that stop you from doing some light exercises. Here's everything you need to know about being 26 weeks pregnant.
26 Weeks Pregnant in Months
26 weeks pregnant is how many months? Am I in my third trimester already?
Congratulations! You are now 26 weeks pregnant. That means you're in your 6th month of pregnancy, in the last week of the second trimester. And that's a pretty exciting milestone because it means you're halfway through your pregnancy!
Now that we've got that out let's talk about what to expect during your 26th week of pregnancy.
Pregnancy Week 26: Baby
This week is all about baby!
Your baby's brain and central nervous system continue developing at an incredible rate. You might see your baby's heartbeat with ultrasound, and the placenta is still functioning well.
If you are having a girl, her genitals are becoming more pronounced. If you are having a boy, his testes have descended into his scrotum.
Baby’s Growth
This week your baby is now about the size of lettuce, measuring between 36.5 cm - 36.7 cm and roughly weighing about 762 to 867 grams.
Compared to last week, your baby has grown by more than half a pound!
Your baby has also grown a lot during the past few weeks. Their eyes are still closed, but fingernails have begun to form. And don't forget all that hair: Your baby will have about 5 million strands by the time you give birth.
The bones in your baby's neck are starting to harden, and their skeleton is becoming more rigid. Their skin is transparent but may get thicker in preparation for life outside the womb.
The head is growing larger, and the brain is developing. The lungs have started producing surfactant, which helps them inflate and deflate smoothly. The intestines are beginning to absorb nutrients from the food that passes through them.
Baby's Development
Is the baby fully developed at 26 weeks?
At 26 weeks, while your baby has come a long way in terms of development, they are not yet considered fully developed. Many of their vital organs, including the lungs and brain, are still in the process of maturing.
While advancements in medical care have improved the chances of survival for babies born at this stage, they would likely require intensive medical support in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to continue their development outside the womb.
In this week-by-week pregnancy guide, you'll learn that:
- You won't be able to tell your baby's eye colour until they are six months out of your womb. But now that they can open their eyes, there is nothing much to see inside the uterus.
- Their hearing system (cochlea and peripheral sensory organs), which started developing in the 18th week, is now completely formed. Ultrasounds have also revealed that babies' facial expressions when they hear music. Try talking to your baby now and see if they react.
- The lungs' air sacs, called alveoli, will be completely developed by the end of this week.
- If you're having a baby boy, his testicles will begin to descend to his scrotum - and it will take 2 to 3 months before it reaches its destination.
Baby’s Hearing
During pregnancy week 26, your baby is developing new skills now—they can hear your voice if you speak loudly enough (and if they're awake), and they'll begin responding to sound by moving their head and body in response to what they hear—they may even start trying to suck on their thumb or fist!
Your little one will also begin recognising voices and other familiar sounds around them.
Baby’s Teeth
It's a little too early to see your baby's teeth, but you might be able to feel them this week. Your baby's gums have started to harden and will soon begin to form the tooth buds that will eventually become teeth.
Baby’s Movement at 26 Weeks Pregnant
Your baby is gaining weight and can now move around. This means you may feel lots of movement inside your belly—from punches and kicks to rolls and stretches.
This is because your baby is growing larger, and the space in your tummy is becoming more cramped. The baby's movements are still strong, and you'll likely feel them moving around. You may also notice that they're faster than before, but only because there's less space for them to move around!
What position is my baby in at 26 weeks?
At 26 weeks, your baby's position inside your belly can vary, but a common position is the "breech" position, where the baby's head is up and their bottom is down. Don't worry if your little one isn't in the head-down position just yet – they still have time to move around. Babies are known for doing somersaults and flips in there!
As you get closer to your due date, your healthcare provider will keep an eye on your baby's position during your check-ups.
26 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body
You're fully in your second trimester now—which means you've got many body changes to look forward to.
At 26 weeks pregnant, you're probably noticing that your belly is getting bigger and rounder, and if you've had an ultrasound lately, you might have seen the baby moving around. That's normal! Your baby is growing by leaps and bounds but is still very small.
You may also notice that your breasts are getting larger and fuller. That's because they're making more milk for when the baby arrives.
If you've been feeling any rib pain recently (especially after eating), it's probably because your rib cage has expanded so much that it presses against your lungs when you breathe deeply. Don't worry—the pain will go away after birth!
26 Week Pregnant Symptoms
You're already approaching your third trimester, and that means bye-bye honeymoon period of pregnancy. Here are some symptoms you can expect this week:
- You will see an extremely protruding bump. Your uterus will be about 6.35 cm above the belly button.
- You're showing now, and so are those pesky stretch marks. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to reduce their appearance.
- You are an insomniac because you are (and have been) working your way through backaches, heartburn, and leg cramps. These make it difficult to drift off peacefully.
- You are experiencing high blood pressure. It is probably lower than before you conceived, but you may have to check for preeclampsia.
- Is your vision becoming blurry? This is probably because hormones decrease tear production, leading to dry eyes.
26 Weeks Pregnant Abdominal Pain
Your growing uterus and those stretching ligaments are doing their thing to make space for your baby. Sometimes, that can cause a bit of discomfort. Also, your baby's kicking and moving around in there, which can put pressure on different parts of your belly.
However, if the pain gets super intense, doesn't go away, or is accompanied by bleeding, fever, or other unusual symptoms, it's a good idea to give your doctor a heads-up. They can help you figure out if it's just the normal pregnancy journey or something that needs a closer look.
Maternal Weight Gain
At 26 weeks pregnant, you may feel more tired than ever.That's because your body works hard to support your growing baby and prepare for labour.
You should gain between 25 to 35 pounds throughout your pregnancy. If you're gaining less than this, talk with your healthcare provider about ways to increase your weight gain. If you're gaining more than 35 pounds, talk with a nutritionist about ways to lower your weight gain, so it's a safe amount for you and your baby.
Watch for swelling in your hands and feet as fluid builds up during pregnancy. This can cause tingling or numbness in those areas as well. See a doctor if this happens so they can treat it!
Nutrition
As the baby grows and develops, it needs certain nutrients to grow properly. These include protein, iron, and folic acid. The mother's body provides these nutrients by way of the placenta.
It's important to remember that your body is changing every day, and you must be careful about what you put in it. At 26 weeks pregnant, here are some things to think about when it comes to food:
- You're eating for two now, so ensure you get enough calories daily. It can be hard to track how much we eat during the holidays but try not to go too crazy with the snacks!
- Be sure you're getting enough nutrients from your food by focusing on fruits and vegetables, whole grains (like brown rice) and lean meats like chicken breast.
- Ensure you're drinking enough water—especially when pregnant because your body needs more fluids than usual to keep hydrated!
- Remember to exercise! We know it can be hard to find time for workouts when you have a new baby on the way, but try setting up a schedule for yourself so that exercise becomes part of your routine again—and make sure it stays part of your routine once the baby arrives.
Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist For Week 26 of Pregnancy
You're in the last leg of your pregnancy journey. Finish strong by doing the following tips:
- Keep a check on your food and exercise to strengthen the walls of your uterus in preparation for the birth.
- If you are experiencing round ligament pain, try to do some gentle exercises to prepare the pelvic bone.
- While you still have the energy, try to fix up a time for a maternity photoshoot.
- It is time to go shopping again! You must dress that bump and the protruding belly from prying eyes.
- Set up a maternity tour of your hospital of choice.
Your next week: 27 weeks pregnant
Your previous week: 25 weeks pregnant
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