Week 25
Week 27
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What’s going on with baby
What’s going on with mama
Tips & resources

Baby’s growth and size

At 26 weeks baby is around 14 inches in length and anywhere from 1.7 – 2 pounds.

What’s new developmentally? 

Baby’s eyes begin to open this week! They have been closed for the past few months to allow the retina to fully develop and mature, but now it’s time! 

Baby might even respond to light so try shining a flashlight at your belly and seeing if you get a little kick or nudge in response. The iris, the colored part of the eye, still lacks pigmentation so it’s too early to determine what color eyes your baby will have. 

Baby’s lungs continue to produce surfactant, the substance necessary to help keep the lungs inflated. Baby is also inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid – something essential for lung development.

 

Fun facts about your week 26 baby

  • If you are expecting a boy, his testicles have started descending into his scrotum
  • Can see, hear, and taste
  • Baby’s eyebrows and eyelashes are visible

Week 26 pregnancy symptoms 

How should I be feeling at 26 weeks pregnant?

I bet at this point you are feeling pretty darn pregnant. Your uterus is about 2 ½ inches above your belly button and almost the size of a full papaya. Speaking of belly buttons, yours might have recently turned into an outie.

It’s not uncommon for mamas to experience lower back pain at this stage of pregnancy, especially if you spend a decent amount of time on your feet during the day. The added weight of your growing uterus can create additional strain on your lower back. 

To try and combat this, try a belly support band. I personally loved the one made by Motif Medical. You can also try things such as swimming, prenatal yoga, prenatal massage, warm baths, or a heating pad on your lower back. 

Speaking of discomfort, you might have started noticing some Braxton Hicks contractions. More commonly, women report feeling them in the third trimester, but they can happen as early as 16 weeks!

Described mainly as discomfort rather than actual pain, Braxton Hicks usually feel like hardening or tightening of the stomach. They differ from true labor contractions in that they usually are irregular, unpredictable, infrequent and can typically be relieved with hydration, emptying your bladder, changing your position, or a warm bath. 

And remember, if there is ever any doubt, be sure to reach out to your OB provider.

26 weeks pregnant baby position

Curious what position your little one is in right now? Have you ever heard of something called belly mapping? It’s a great tool that mamas can use at home to help determine the position their baby is in. 

An estimated 75% of babies will be head down before 28 weeks and a whopping 90% by 32 weeks. By the time you are full term, there’s a 97% chance your baby will be head down. So, what does this mean for you at 26 weeks? 

This means that if your baby hasn’t assumed a head down, also known as vertex, position, then there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. Baby still has plenty of time to move and flip around. 

If you are curious to learn more about belly mapping and things you can do if baby isn’t in an optimal position for birth, make sure to look at this article. 

26 weeks pregnant itchy hands and feet

If you are experiencing itchy hands and feet during pregnancy, it is always a good idea to bring it up with your OB provider. Itchy hands and feet in pregnancy can be a symptom of a pretty scary condition known as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), or simply cholestasis. 

Most commonly the itching is in the palms of your hands and your feet, but it doesn’t have to be isolated to these two areas. If you experience any kind of itching during pregnancy, it is definitely worth bringing up. Cholestasis is a condition in which the normal flow of bile is affected by the increased amounts of pregnancy hormones. 

It is more common in the third trimester when hormones are at their peak, but it can occur late in the second trimester too. Cholestasis can increase the risks for fetal distress, preterm birth, and stillbirth. 

This is not to scare you, most women with cholestasis go on to have perfectly healthy babies. If you do experience itching during pregnancy, be sure to speak up and advocate for yourself and baby. 

It can be diagnosed with blood work and a plan should be developed from there.

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  • Learn about your glucose screening 
  • Start or continue working on your baby registry and nursery
  • Invest in a belly support band – my personal favorite 
  • Purchase a pregnancy pillow – I have a couple on my Amazon Storefront to help you narrow your search
  • Curious about sleeping on your back in pregnancy?
  • Start researching  babymoons if you plan on taking one
  • It’s never too early to start looking into childcare options – trust me on this one, mama, preschools and daycares fill up fast 
  • Treat yourself to a prenatal massage or pedicure this week – you and your mental health deserve it! 
  • Start thinking about whether a doula might be right for you 
  • Begin researching birth classes – there are SO MANY out there, but I actually have online birth classes that you can take all from the comfort of home
  • Sign up for my free second trimester prep pack to receive my second trimester checklist, baby registry checklist, and old wives’ tales checklist! 
  • Sign up for MLN weekly pregnancy updates to stay up to date on everything going on with your pregnancy. So much good information, and it’s all free!