26 weeks pregnant

Your baby at 26 weeks

Two weeks before the third trimester begins, week 26 brings a baby that is compared to a head of lettuce and about 35.6 cm long, measured crown to heel. The jump from the shorter sitting-height numbers of early weeks is long behind you; the guide has used the head-to-heel measurement since week 21.

ACOG's guide covers weeks 25 to 28 in one list. The lungs have their full shape but are not ready to work outside the womb, and they have begun to make surfactant, which helps air sacs stay open. A loud sound can make your baby startle, pulling in the arms and legs. The eyelids can open and close, the nervous system continues to develop, and skin starts to look smoother as fat is added beneath it.

The estimated weight at this point is 902 g in the middle of the WHO fetal growth chart, with 8 in 10 babies between 780 g and 1,038 g. The middle head circumference is 244 mm. These come from formulas applied to ultrasound measurements; no one has put your baby on scales. A reading that sits in the lower or upper part of the range is a prompt for your team to follow growth over time, not a verdict.

What stands out about week 26 is that it is a good time to notice your baby's routine. ACOG describes kicks and turns getting stronger from week 21, and the NHS says what matters is knowing how your baby tends to move from one day to the next, not counting kicks. The RCOG adds that no set number of movements is normal. Some care providers still ask for a daily count, and if yours does, follow that advice.

Your body at 26 weeks

Your belly has grown steadily, and you are likely to feel that your balance is a little different. Sit-to-stand moves, stairs and tying shoelaces can all take more thought.

On the NHS schedule, a first baby brings a visit at 25 weeks that includes a blood pressure check, a urine test and a bump measurement to check growth, and then another at 28 weeks. If you have given birth before, the NHS schedule has no routine midwife visit between 16 and 28 weeks apart from the mid-pregnancy scan, so keep your notes handy and phone with questions. The NHS also says that if your chance of gestational diabetes is higher, testing is offered between 24 and 28 weeks, which includes this week.

Keep moving in a way that suits you. The NHS suggests about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week and advises that, as pregnancy goes on, you swap activities that become uncomfortable. Activities that involve lying on your back for more than a few minutes are best avoided in later pregnancy.

Common symptoms around 26 weeks

• Swollen ankles, feet and fingers. The NHS says your body holds more water than usual and the growing womb can slow blood flow in the legs. Walk regularly, put your feet up when you can, choose comfortable shoes and avoid long spells on your feet.
• Lower back strain. The NHS says ligaments soften and stretch in pregnancy, which strains the lower back and pelvis. Wear flat shoes, bend your knees to lift and split heavy bags, as the NHS suggests.
• Headaches. The NHS says headaches are common early in pregnancy and usually improve, but after 20 weeks a headache can be a sign of pre-eclampsia. A severe one, or one with vision changes, needs a call now (see below). For milder ones, fluids, enough sleep and rest can help.
• Tiredness. The NHS says that carrying extra weight and disturbed sleep are common reasons for being tired in later pregnancy.

Tips for this week

• Ask about the glucose test. Find out whether you are being offered one, which type your clinic uses and whether you should fast.
• Raise your feet. Spend some of the evening with your feet up, and try the NHS foot exercises: bend and stretch each foot 30 times, then circle it.
• Learn your baby's pattern. Note when your baby is usually busy, so a change would stand out.
• Interview pediatricians. Choosing someone before the birth saves a decision during a busy week.
• Start a registry or shopping list. Put the big items first, such as the car seat and somewhere safe to sleep.

When to call your doctor or midwife

These are reasons to call now, not to wait for your next appointment. If you cannot reach your maternity unit or clinic, call your local emergency number.

• Call now if you have vaginal bleeding of any amount. Call your emergency number if it is heavy, or comes with severe belly pain, pain in your shoulder, or feeling faint or dizzy.
• Call now if your baby moves less than usual, stops moving, or the pattern changes. The NHS advises calling your midwife or maternity unit right away, even at night, rather than waiting until the next day.
• Call now if you have regular contractions or tightening, mild cramps, pelvic pressure, a constant dull backache, a change in discharge or leaking fluid. ACOG lists these as signs of preterm labor, which is labor before 37 weeks.
• Call now if you have a severe headache, blurred vision or flashing lights, pain below your ribs, vomiting, or sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet. The NHS says these may be pre-eclampsia and need checking immediately.
• Call now if it stings or burns when you pee, or if back pain comes with fever or bleeding.