Week 26 of Pregnancy
Second trimester
Baby is
about the size of an eggplant
9 inches (crown to rump) · 1.68 pounds (760 grams)
Baby this week
- •Eyes are beginning to open
- •Brain is developing rapidly with sleep-wake cycles emerging
- •Lungs are producing surfactant, essential for breathing after birth
- •Can hear your voice and respond to sounds with movement
- •Fingerprints and footprints are fully formed
You this week
- •Increased back pain as your center of gravity shifts
- •Swelling in feet and ankles, especially toward evening
- •Braxton-Hicks contractions becoming more noticeable
- •Shortness of breath as the uterus presses upward
- •Possible gestational diabetes screening results (glucose tolerance test)
- •Difficulty finding comfortable sleep positions
This week's tips
- •Take the glucose tolerance test seriously if offered—early detection of gestational diabetes helps protect both you and baby
- •Invest in supportive, flat shoes to ease back and foot pain
- •Practice pelvic floor exercises daily to prepare for labor and improve recovery
- •Sleep on your left side when possible to improve circulation and reduce swelling
- •Consider a pregnancy pillow for better support and comfort at night
- •Stay hydrated and elevate your feet when sitting to manage swelling
Looking ahead
You've entered the third trimester next week! Your baby is becoming increasingly viable outside the womb, and your focus will shift toward labor preparation, hospital tours, and finalizing birth plans.
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