Week 26 of Pregnancy

Your Baby and Changes…

The week to week weight gain shows no sign of slowing down in week 26 of pregnancy.  Your baby has put on quite a bit of weight by pregnancy week 26 and is probably weighing in at or around 1.7 pounds. Your baby's total length is about 14 inches during the twenty sixth week of pregnancy! Your baby is now starting to add a little fat to his bones, all of which is perfectly normal. It’s at or around week twenty six that you can hear your baby’s heart through a stethoscope.  It’s nothing to be alarmed of if you can’t hear your baby’s heart at this point.

Your baby's nerve pathways in his ears continue to develop during pregnancy 26 weeks which will allow your baby to respond to sounds more consistently. You might notice your baby jumping more often now to loud noises when you are 26 weeks pregnant. This is a good time to start playing some relaxing music to your little one when you have the chance. Some parents even enjoy reading to their babies during this time. If you haven't considered it, have your partner read to your belly. This will help your baby become more acclimated to the sound of your partner's voice. Believe it or not, one of the first things babies recognize outside the womb besides smell is the sound of your voice, and your partner's voice.

Your baby will continue breathing in amniotic fluid after twenty six weeks pregnant and beyond. Boy babies usually experience a bit of growth during this week, as their testicles begin to descend into the scrotum. This process typically takes between two and three days to complete.

Your Body and Changes…

Your uterus should now be about 2 and a half inches above your belly button. Your uterus will continue growing at a rate of about 1 centimeter each week as you continue your pregnancy week by week. You have probably put on some weight at this point in time, up to 23 pounds for some women. Your weight may fluctuate from day to day due to water retention so try not to weight yourself every day if you can avoid it, as this could prove discouraging during your pregnancy.

You are probably starting to experience more discomfort including pressure and back pain as your belly continues to grow larger. Leg cramps may be common. Headaches may start to come on more frequently at this time in pregnancy as your hormones continue to change as you approach the end of your second trimester. If your headaches are severe or you are experiencing frequent migraines, talk with your healthcare provider about any possible treatment options.

Some women might start complaining of pain or discomfort around their ribs or in their lower abdomen. It isn't uncommon to feel a sharp or stabbing pain or pressure under your ribs as the baby moves.

You may start having a slight increase in blood pressure at this point in pregnancy. Blood pressure is typically lower between weeks 22 and weeks 24 and then rises slightly at this point in pregnancy. You should be alert to any signs that your blood pressure might be rising too rapidly, including excessive swelling in the hands and face, blurry or spotty vision, severe headaches, upper abdominal pain or sudden weight gain that occurs over a 2 day period.