26 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms, Belly Size & More! 

26 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms, Belly Size & More! 

31 Dec 2016 | 5 min Read

Nidhi Pandey

Author | 47 Articles

Does your tummy feel like a football field? Well that’s because your baby vigorously practices kicks and somersaults! Your little football champ is now about 14 inches long and weighs about 800 grams this week. 

You might notice that your baby is more active when you’re resting but doesn’t move much when you’re up and about. This is because your movements provide a swinging action which lulls your baby to sleep. So when you want to rest after a hard day, your baby will want to party! This might be annoying, but hang on as this pattern usually continues for a few weeks even after birth. 

You might find that your little one sleeps like an angel during the day but is awake like an owl at night. So, the phrase – ‘sleeping like a baby’ is a myth! 

Let’s learn more about the pregnancy symptoms that you will experience when you are 26 weeks pregnant, and also your baby’s size and development. 

26 Week Fetus Development 

Your baby’s eyes are fully formed at 26 weeks of pregnancy, and they are accompanied by freshly developed brows and eyelashes.

How Big Is A Baby During 26 Weeks Pregnancy?

The 26 weeks foetus weight is now 820 g and they measure  approximately 23 cm from head to bottom. They can now taste, see, and hear. If you rub your palm over your tummy forcefully, they might also start to move in response. Your baby starts gaining a lot of muscle and fat around this time.

26 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Your uterus is now growing and putting pressure on your back, so be extra cautious about your posture. You might also slowly develop aching calves and pain in the soles of your feet. It’s a great idea to schedule a prenatal massage with a therapist who is well-versed with prenatal dos and don’ts. A good massage can help relieve the niggling back pain, aching calves and feet. 

Your doctor might ask you to keep a count of your baby’s movements. Ten movements in an hour especially when the baby is active is what needs to be accounted for. But remember, each baby is unique and will have a unique pattern of movements. Comparing your baby’s movements with others’ even at the same stage of pregnancy is not a good idea.

Physical Development

The added pressure on your back might make you feel uncomfortable. Avoid sleeping on your back completely from now on and use a body pillow for support. The pillow will also help you stay on your side.

Emotional Development

Thoughts about labour and delivery might make you anxious. You can speak to veteran moms to share their delivery experience, but remember every delivery is different. Just follow your doctor’s instructions and stay healthy. A healthy pregnancy leads to a healthy delivery.

You can also read up a little on breastfeeding or take prenatal classes. This will equip you with the knowledge to start breastfeeding more confidently after birth and you might also be able to avoid common pitfalls.

Your Body At 26 Weeks Pregnancy

At 26 weeks pregnant, you may experience tiredness and sleeping problems, and a little bit of stretch marks around your belly as well. 

Belly Size At 26 Weeks Pregnant 

26 weeks pregnant

26 Week Fetus Pictures 

26 weeks pregnant

26 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound: Do You Need It?

You can now opt for Multiple Marker Screen Test (MMST) and Amniocentesis which can identify genetic diseases such as neural tube defects, chromosomal abnormalities, and others. Although it is generally thought to be risk-free, discuss the test with your doctor before deciding whether or not you want to undergo this 26 weeks pregnant ultrasound

Self Care Tips And Checklists For 26 Weeks Pregnancy

Here are some self care tips and checklists for leading the healthiest life possible during your 26 weeks pregnancy. 

  • It’s the ideal time to arrange a babymoon or a final vacation before the birth of your child. A fantastic strategy to strengthen your relationship is to connect with your spouse right away.
  • If you have gestational diabetes, the diagnosis can feel overwhelming, requiring significant changes to your diet and lifestyle.
  • Do light exercises or else walking to get your body moving.
  • Spend time outdoors. 
  • Do a skincare routine at least 3-4 days a week to make your skin glowing and supple.
  • Do take breaks from work and unplug when needed.
  • Plan your amniocentesis, if necessary.
  • Treat yourself. You deserve some “me time” because you’ve been working so hard.

FAQs

Are you 7 months pregnant at 26 weeks?

If you’re 26 weeks pregnant, you’re in month 6 of your pregnancy.

What position is your baby in at 26 weeks?

Your baby often starts to select a position for birth at 26 weeks, turning typically so that the head faces down. Additionally, it’s normal for the baby to have a transverse position at this point and lie horizontally across your abdomen.

What does your baby look like in the womb at 26 weeks?

At 26 weeks pregnant, the baby is as big as a head of kale. 

What is 26 weeks pregnant in months?  

6 month of pregnancy. 

How much weight should I have gained at 26 weeks?

Your weight increase should vary between 16 and 22 pounds (7.25 to 10 kg).

Takeaway

You might be tempted to just sink into a tub of hot water to relieve all the pain and soreness, but it is not advisable to use a hot tub, steam or sauna during pregnancy. A sauna could overheat your body and also increase the temperature in your uterus which is not good for your baby. 

It is said that if a dad-to-be puts on weight during pregnancy, then his wife is carrying a baby girl and if he is losing weight, then the baby is probably a boy. Your spouse is probably putting on weight to keep you company during those cravings, or losing weight because he’s a bit nervous. You can have a good laugh on this myth as your baby’s gender definitely does not depend on how much the father weighs.

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