Week 26 of pregnancy
What's Happening with Baby
Your baby is busy exercising by kicking and stretching, and is now actively responding to both lights and sounds from the outside world. Their body is starting to produce melanin, the substance that will give their skin its unique color and help protect it from the sun after birth.
Your baby is now about 14 inches long (the size of a zucchini or a head of kale) and weighs around 1 3/4 pounds. A critical development is happening in the lungs as they begin to produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate and is essential for breathing air. While the baby is now able to live outside the womb with intensive medical care, their lungs are still very immature and need more time to develop.
What You Might Experience
As your body prepares for delivery, increased pregnancy hormones work to soften the connective tissue in your body. The result is that the joints between your pelvic bones relax and become more flexible, which will make it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal.
Unfortunately, this relaxation can also have the added effect of causing discomfort or pain in your hips. Gentle stretching and talking to your doctor about safe ways to manage the pain can be helpful.
Key Things to Keep in Mind
It is very important to be aware of the symptoms of a serious condition called pre-eclampsia. Be alert for symptoms such as sudden weight gain, severe or persistent headaches, or changes in your vision. Pre-eclampsia is a dangerous condition that causes high blood pressure and can affect both you and your baby.
During your regular prenatal visits, your doctor checks your blood pressure, urine, and any swelling to monitor for this. However, if you experience any of the warning signs of pre-eclampsia between appointments, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Week 26 Photos
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