26 Week Pregnant

Highlights this week

Maternity picture ideas

With your third trimester just around the corner, your baby bump may be looking especially photo-ready. Capture this special point in pregnancy with these maternity picture ideas.

3D ultrasound

A “keepsake ultrasound” from a private clinic can give you a magical view of your baby, but many experts recommend against them. Here are a few things worth considering before you book a 3D ultrasound.

Pregnancy nutrition

It’s essential to get enough of key nutrients like calcium, iron, iodine, choline, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids. Learn more about the pregnancy nutrients you need now.

Baby development at 26 weeks

Your baby’s lungs

Your baby has started to inhale and exhale small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for lung development.

Responding to sounds

Your baby can hear your voice and may even respond to it with changes in their heartbeat, breathing, and movement. If a noise is particularly loud, your baby may startle – and you might feel your baby move. Ultrasounds have also caught changes in babies’ facial expressions when they hear music.

Testicles dropping

If you’re having a boy, his testicles have begun to descend into his scrotum – a trip that will take about two to three months.

BabyCenter Zodiac

What will your baby’s zodiac sign be? See what it says about their personality.

• Your baby is breathing small amounts of amniotic fluid in and out
• You’ve got an eavesdropper now – your baby can hear you talk
• Those tiny, rhythmic twitches? That’s your baby hiccuping

Your baby is about the size of a scallion

length

13.82

inches

head to toe

weight

2.01

pounds

Pregnancy symptoms during week 26

Lower-back pain

If your lower back is aching lately, you can thank both your growing uterus and hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Roughly 60% of pregnant women have lower-back pain, which can make it hard to sleep or perform daily tasks.

Staying active with low-impact cardio may give you some relief. Try walking or swimming, as well as stretching and strength training. Self-care practices that promote relaxation (such as prenatal massage, meditation, and prenatal yoga) can also help with tension and discomfort. Above all, listen to your body. If the way you’re sitting, standing, or sleeping hurts, make adjustments.

Braxton Hicks

Sometimes called “practice” contractions, Braxton Hicks are irregular uterine contractions that happen before you’re actually in labor. They’re often described as feeling like menstrual cramps or like your stomach is tightening. They may become progressively more intense as you near the end of your pregnancy.

Generally, what differentiates Braxton Hicks contractions from true contractions is that they’re irregular and taper off, instead of becoming stronger. They can be uncomfortable, but aren’t often painful. Dehydration, exhaustion, and even sitting or lying in a certain position can trigger Braxton Hicks. They often stop after you drink some water, rest, or change positions.

However, sometimes Braxton Hicks contractions are hard to distinguish from early labor. If you have any of the signs of preterm labor, call your provider immediately.

Headaches

In addition to your changing hormones, there are a variety of things that can cause a mild headache during pregnancy. Exhaustion, hunger, and dehydration are among the most common reasons for an aching head – though vision changes and allergies can also contribute.

Getting enough sleep, eating regularly, and staying hydrated can bring relief from pregnancy headaches. If that’s not helping, check in with your doctor or midwife, who will likely give you the thumbs up to take acetaminophen to treat a headache.

Bad headaches during pregnancy could be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious blood pressure disorder. This condition is life-threatening for both a mom and her baby if left untreated, so call your healthcare provider immediately if you’re experiencing a severe or persistent headache.

Constipation

Increased progesterone levels slow down your digestion during pregnancy, causing most expecting moms to experience constipation at some point. Lowered activity levels and your expanding uterus can also contribute to infrequent or hard bowel movements.

Constipation can be incredibly uncomfortable during pregnancy and can contribute to hemorrhoids, or swollen blood vessels around the rectum. Topical hemorrhoid treatment is typically safe for pregnant women, but check in with your provider before you try a new medication.

Prevention is the best bet for managing constipation and avoiding hemorrhoids. Stay hydrated by monitoring your water intake or setting an alarm on your phone to remind you to drink up. Eating a high-fiber diet (with plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains) and exercising regularly can relieve constipation. Taking magnesium or a non-laxative stool softener can help, too.

Stretch marks

As your baby grows, so will your belly. Your skin is stretching fast to keep up – and you may have started to notice stretch marks on your stomach, breasts, and thighs.

Stretch marks vary from person to person, and may be related to genetics. There isn’t a lot that you can do to prevent stretch marks, so be wary of expensive creams that promise to banish them. One thing that can help is avoiding rapid or excessive weight gain. (Gaining more than the recommended amount of pregnancy weight, and gaining weight quickly, ups your chance of getting stretch marks.)

• Leg cramps may be more common now, especially at night
• Your back may be aching now as your center of gravity shifts

Pregnancy checklist at 26 weeks

Plan a babymoon

It’s the perfect time to plan a babymoon, or one last trip before your baby arrives. Connecting with your partner now is a great way to solidify your relationship. You’ll also make memories you can look back on with a smile when you’re both sleep-deprived and stressed from taking care of your new baby.

When it comes to picking a location, keep in mind that a complicated pregnancy could require you to stay closer to home. Your doctor or midwife may recommend a staycation or day trip rather than a far-away destination.

Consider more classes

In addition to a birth class, you may want to take classes on baby care, breastfeeding, and infant CPR. Many hospitals offer these, and you can also ask your provider for a recommendation. There are online options, too, like BabyCenter Courses. In BabyCenter’s All-in-One Baby Safety Course with CPR, a top pediatric ER doctor will teach you what to do if your baby starts choking or stops breathing.