Pregnant: What happens in the 26th week of pregnancy

Your baby's development in the 26th week of pregnancy

The eyes open: In the 26th week of pregnancy your baby opens its eyes for the first time. Even though its vision is still quite weak, it can distinguish between light and dark and recognize basic shapes. Through the connection to the nervous system, the fetus immediately processes perceived sensory impressions. Your child's optic nerve continues to develop after birth, so it will later be able to perceive and process different colors.

Reflexes are being trained: Your baby is preparing in the womb for life after birth. In recent weeks it has already diligently practiced sucking, grasping, and swallowing reflexes trained. It continues to refine them now in the 26th week of pregnancy. At birth it even has over 70 reflexes.

Nostrils open: Through the opened nostrils, the fetus in week 26 continues to actively inhale and exhale amniotic fluid in order to master this vital function for life after birth.

Reactions to stimuli: Your baby responds more to stimuli in week 26 and you notice more often how it becomes active when it hears your voice or you stroke your belly. The little hands and feet are now more often visible on your belly

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

Your baby measures in the 26th week of pregnancy about 34 cm – which corresponds roughly to the size of a zucchini. If growth progresses rather slowly, the strong weight gain now causes great amazement among parents. In week 26 your child gains about 100 grams. It currently therefore weighs around between 800 and 900 grams on the scale. On the ultrasound your child now appears to you as a 'real' newborn, which, depending on its position in the womb, gives a good view of its face enabling that. You might even see it sucking its little finger and playing with the umbilical cord. The your little one's urge to move is increasingly visible from the outside on your belly. The little kicks and punches appear as small bulges on the abdominal wall.

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 26 of pregnancy?

Your larger belly is no longer to be overlooked in the 26th week of pregnancy. Your baby grows steadily and displaces the organs more and more from their normal positions. For you this causes noticeable growth and the weight gain of the child and uterus through some physical Pregnancy complaints noticeable. Below you will find an overview:

Weight gain: Around the 26th week of pregnancy your body stores (fat) reserves for the demanding breastfeeding period. You may now gain significantly more weight per month than in the early months of your pregnancy.

Strain on tendons & muscles: The weight of your baby and the growing uterus increasingly strains the surrounding tendons and muscles, which is why some women experience mild pain in the lower abdomen, back, and even in the coccyx area. This is partly due to the shifted center of gravity. Wedge pillows or an elastic ring to sit on can help here. Also warmth and muscle relaxation exercises most women find extremely soothing.

Weakened immune system: Your The immune system is heavily taxed during your pregnancy. This causes some expectant mothers to catch colds more often. If your cold symptoms are more severe, it is best to consult your doctor about which medications you may take.Often it is simply the use of tried-and-tested home remedies

such as chamomile tea or chicken soup is the best approach to fight the germs.Hot flashes: Your blood volume is significantly increased during pregnancy. In addition the blood flows much faster than before, which is why your body heats up more easily. This is completely normal, but can, however, lead increasingly to hot flashes or sweating spells happening. Here you should stay calm

, provide refreshing drinks and opt for layered clothing – then the sweat-inducing outbreaks won't cause you problems. Practice contractions: /magazine/expectant-mothers/pregnancy-course/pregnancy-25-weeks25th week of pregnancy many pregnant women occasionally experience practice contractions. You may already have had the first ones, but not recognized them as such. Practice contractions are often painless. At most you feel a slight pulling sensation in the lower abdomen and your abdomen hardens for a few seconds.

However, if you experience stronger pains, it's best to consult your doctor.Heavy legs: Especially in the legs and feet fluid often accumulates in the vessels that have been loosened by pregnancy hormones. After long periods of sitting or standingyour feet swell and the shoes feel tighter in the evening than in the morning. In winter you will probably have to move up to a larger shoe size. In summer, open sandals with a comfortable footbed

Swollen ankles & water in the legs: a few helpful tips

From the 26th week of pregnancy, water retention becomes increasingly frequent They occur. For the expectant mother they are uncomfortable, but harmless. After birth your body will eliminate the deposits quickly on its own. During pregnancy you should no diuretics to take, as the removal of fluids causes circulatory or metabolic problems. 'No salt and lots of rice' was said in the past, but that advice is long outdated. We have here a few tips to relieve the discomfort for you.

Light exercise: Regular walking or swimming gets your circulation going and helps distribute blood and fluid throughout the body. Another bonus in the water: the weight of your belly feels less pronounced and it eases strain on your back.
Activate your feet: Sit on a chair and try to pick up a pack of tissues with your feet. This moves your feet and gets the blood flowing. A spiky massage ball that you roll under your sole further stimulates your circulation. If the spikes are too uncomfortable, you can also try the exercise with a golf or tennis ball.
Drink enough: Just don't try to fight the fluid retention by reducing fluid intake. Your body needs enough fluid to nourish you and your baby.
Feet up: Try to keep your feet higher than your pelvis when watching TV or sleeping. This allows blood to flow more easily from the legs back into the body.
Support stockings: If you stand for a long time or are on the go, support or compression stockings can help with the blood circulation in your legs.

26th week of pregnancy: first preparations for birth

The 26th week of pregnancy is the perfect time to calmly consider various preparations before your due date. Here you can learn more about important birth preparations you can focus on going forward.

Create a birth plan

The end of pregnancy increasingly shows itself in the 7th month through practice contractions. Many parents now take time to think about their preferred birth. This concerns questions about the type of delivery, medical support, pain relief, or the care of your baby after the birth. You can discuss these decisions with your partner and in a birth plan. Of course nothing is set in stone. The plan summarizes the most important information for you and the hospital staff. You then don't have to make these decisions later during labor or after the exhausting birth. If you express a spontaneous wish, everyone will certainly accommodate it.

Initial essentials for your baby

Many expectant parents use the 26th week of pregnancy to take care of various errands for the baby starter kit to take care of. In addition to baby clothes and furniture items, there are also a variety of little things together that you should ideally think about before purchasing. Put together a checklist so you don't forget anything and get all the items gradually and at your own pace.

For the 27th week of pregnancy