26 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Symptoms, Tips & Baby Development!
By this time your baby must have developed sleeping and waking patterns. The baby will react to certain sounds and will also do movement if you are playing music. You may face problems sleeping and may experience headaches and backache. You’ll face some discomfort in remembering things as well. 26 weeks pregnant guide will prepare you mentally for the upcoming childbirth.
Symptoms of 26th Week Pregnancy
What are the symptoms of a 26th-week pregnancy?
You will feel more and more discomfort as your body changes and as the baby grows inside the tummy.
- Insomnia – As you’re getting closer to your due date, it’ll be difficult to have a good night’s sleep. Take rest by not taking coffee at night. Also, do some exercise and stay hydrated.
- Swelling – You may experience mild puffiness or swelling on your feet and ankles. But make sure the swelling is not severe and sudden. Or else, it can be an indication of a serious condition called preeclampsia. You must check with the doctor for any such complications.
- Headache – Stress, hormonal fluctuations, less fluid intake, or starvation may cause headaches. Women having migraine will experience it more during pregnancy. Don’t pop in tablets for headaches without consulting your doctor. Follow medication therapies like massage, biofeedback, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, etc.
- Braxton Hicks – Your belly may feel tight occasionally and don’t get scared if you experience this. It’s your body practicing labor by flexing its muscles. If the contractions are severe or very frequent then you must contact the doctor since it can also be signs of preterm labor.
- Hormonal Changes – The pregnancy brain is a physiological symptom of fluctuations in your hormonal levels. You may have issues with your memory power.
- High Blood Pressure – A slight rise in blood pressure is normal at this stage of pregnancy. However, if it rises too high then the doctor will be monitoring you. This is because of hypertension. It may also increase if you’re suffering from preeclampsia or other pregnancy complications.
Common Problems During 26th Week Pregnancy
During pregnancy, women experience mild to severe back pain. It happens because there are a lot of hormonal changes inside the body. Also, the pressure on the back muscles due to weight gain can cause back pain. You must also check for risks like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, anemia, etc. For any problems call your doctor to get further treatments.
Precautions/Warning during week 26 of pregnancy
What precautions you should take during week 26 of pregnancy?
26 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Baby Growth and Development
Your baby is growing and developing. Let’s have a glimpse of all the changes in your baby.
- During this week of pregnancy, the baby would continue developing the body parts namely ears and lungs. The baby will continue breathing in the amniotic fluid thereby bringing nutrients to the lungs. These would help in developing the surfactants in the lungs which would make them look inflated.
- The small internal details of the ear are continuously developing. The network of nerves would be developing in a better way and also more sensitive than before. Now your baby can hear voices when you’re talking to him or chatting with someone. You may feel a baby jump when it hears a very loud noise suddenly.
- The testicles in boys are traveling towards the scrotum.
- Fat accumulation is an ongoing process.
- Eyes would begin to open and the eyelids finally start to separate.
Baby Size in 26th Week of Pregnancy
What is the baby’s size in the 26th week of pregnancy?
In the 26th week of pregnancy, your baby is approximately 35.6 cm long and is the size of a Red cabbage.
Parental Care During 26th Week of Pregnancy
The parental care needed during this week of pregnancy are –
Pregnant women undergo a test to detect gestational diabetes. It’s the right time to start with the pelvic exercises. This makes you get ready for easier delivery and also relieves backache. You may be at risk of high blood pressure due to stress and other reasons. So take extra care and continue to eat a nutritious and healthy diet. Drink enough fluids, follow a good exercise routine, and sleep well.
Changes in the 26th Week of Pregnancy
26 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Changes in Feelings
How will you feel during the 26th week of pregnancy?
It is natural to feel stressed about the upcoming delivery and labor pain. Pregnant ladies need to relax and don’t create any panic. Also don’t listen to any negative stories of delivery and labour. You may also feel conscious about your looks because of weight gain and the presence of stretch marks. No worries everything will settle after post-delivery.
26 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Changes in Experiences
What changes you will experience during week 26 of pregnancy?
During week 26 of pregnancy, you may feel fatigued in your pregnancy since you are carrying extra weight on your tummy and there will be some pressure on your back. You may also feel a little extra awkward and uncomfortable to move around and there will be back pain. It will be difficult to exercise and you must not perform high-intensity workouts which may strain you out.
26 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Changes in Looks
What will you look like during the 26th week of pregnancy?
By the 26th week of pregnancy, you will feel wider and awkward while moving. The posture will be a little difficult to maintain since there will be back pain as well. You will notice swelling in the legs and ankles because of fluid retention. However, weight gain can be maintained by doing regular exercise and staying hydrated.
Diet During the 26th Week of Pregnancy
What should you eat during the 26th week of pregnancy?
Which food you should avoid during the 26th week of pregnancy?
Sex During 26th Week of Pregnancy
Is it safe to have sex during the 26th week of pregnancy?
You must check yourself if you or your husband are suffering from any type of sexually transmitted disease. The doctor will also inform you if you cannot have sex due to certain complications like the risk of miscarriage, preterm labor, or any other pregnancy-related complications. If there is nothing to be worried about and the doctor has given you the go-ahead, then there is no need to worry. You can have sex in comfortable positions without putting pressure on the tummy.
Some women do not feel like having sex during this time which is fine and very normal.
Doctor Consultation in the 26th Week of Pregnancy
Do I need to visit a doctor in the 26th week of pregnancy?
What should you discuss with the doctor?
You must discuss your baby’s development with the doctor and speak about any possible complications such as preterm labor, iron deficiency anemia, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, etc. The doctor will examine you and inform you on how you can handle such situations if they arise. You can discuss any other symptoms that you are facing and the doctor will clear your doubts and queries.
26 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Test/ Procedure
What are the tests or procedures you should have in the 26th week of pregnancy?
Anytime between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy you’ll get to do the glucose challenge test or the glucose tolerance test along with other routine blood and urine tests. They will help you in diagnosing anemia and gestational diabetes. If you are having excessive swelling in the hands, legs, ankles, or on the face then you will also have to undergo preeclampsia tests.
Supplements in the 26th Week of Pregnancy
Do you need to take supplements during the 26th week of pregnancy?
Continue taking supplements for folic acid, iron, and calcium during pregnancy. It is very important to take these supplements since they will keep you safe from neural tube defects, birth defects like spina bifida, etc. Eating nutritious foods rich in these components is also important as as taking medications. So make sure you focus on eating healthy foods.
26 Weeks Pregnant Guide – Important Points to Know
What is important to know during the 26th week of pregnancy?
It’s important to find out about the growth and development of the baby when it is in the womb. Also, you should be aware of the risk factors that are associated with the 26th pregnancy week. The risk factors range from complications like preeclampsia, edema, anemia due to deficiency of iron, gestational diabetes, and preterm labor. Also, you must understand that back pain is very common during pregnancy. You can minimize the pain using doctor-prescribed medications or ointments but cannot prevent it.
Preparation Guidelines for Baby
How should you start preparing for a baby’s birth?
Eating healthy and following an ideal exercise routine is highly recommended. High-intensity workouts are not to be done as they can strain you out and also put stress on the fetus. Back pain will be prominent this week. So, you may feel like avoiding exercise. You can take a break but do not avoid exercising altogether. Some women may want to discuss their birth plans with the doctor. The birth plan involves guidelines that you’ve to follow while you’re in labor. Usually, it involves things like birthing methods, medications, emergency information, etc.
So, be happy and stay healthy to welcome your baby!
