26 weeks pregnant – doubts and everything you need to know!

The 26th week of pregnancy is important as the baby is interfering with your sleep, playing with your memory and giving you a stress headache .

He will do all these things after birth too! Also, when they say we have nine months to get ready for the baby, they don’t just grow the baby and buy a car seat and a bouncer. We need to mentally prepare for a newborn to become the center of our attention. And already, at 26 weeks pregnant , the baby is giving you some practice in that department.

How is My Baby at 26 Weeks of Pregnancy?

Your eye color at this stage is most likely blue. Also, some time after they are born, your baby’s eyes will turn the color they will.

Your baby is about 35 cm long from the top of his head to his heels, which is about the size of his forearm – even though they are curled up in the womb. They’re about the length of a zucchini now.

Your uterus is still quite spacious and you are probably feeling the baby move vigorously. Also, over the next few months your baby will be gaining more fat and muscle, and will start to look a little less wrinkled and thin and more like a little cherub.

What Is My Baby Doing at 26 Weeks of Pregnancy?

There are many developments with your baby this week. First of all, her ears will be more developed and more sensitive than ever before: she will be able to hear your voice and that of your partner as you talk to each other.

He will also slowly open his eyes. Those beautiful spies have been closed off until now, to allow your retina to develop, but now they are starting to open up and see what’s going on inside your womb. Try shining a flashlight on your stomach and see if your baby kicks in response to stimulation. It’s too early to know your baby’s eye color, however: the colored part of the eye, the iris, won’t fill in for the next month or two.

There are other senses at work too: your baby can now not only hear noises but also respond to them, not talking, of course, but moving or increasing their pulse.

Your baby’s heartbeat will have dropped considerably this week too, from 180 beats per minute to 140 to 150 beats per minute. This can be monitored on a cardiotocography (CTG) machine during your antenatal visits and is a useful way to check on your baby’s well-being.

If you’re having a boy, your testicles will soon begin descending into your scrotum, a process that can take up to three months.

Facts to Know About Your Baby at 26 Weeks of Pregnancy:

• At 26 weeks pregnant your baby is starting to practice using their little lungs all ready for D-Day!
• When your baby is born, its eyes will be 75% of their adult size.
• Your baby now weighs about 1.8 kg and is approximately 35.5 cm long.
• It is now possible for your baby to respond to certain noises with increased movement or even increased pulse rate.

What Is My Body Doing at 26 Weeks Pregnancy?

Take a look at that ever-growing belly and you’ll notice that your belly button is now very firm. This is due to your uterus swelling and pushing your abdomen forward. Don’t worry though, your belly button will snap back into place in the months after your baby is born.

You should also keep an eye on your blood pressure. Your blood pressure will be checked at each prenatal visit. In pregnancy, your blood pressure normally drops as your blood vessels relax and dilate to deal with the extra volume of blood flowing through them. This means you may feel weak or dizzy, especially if you get up quickly.

However, about five to 10% of pregnancies can develop hypertension in pregnancy (high blood pressure). Most cases are mild, but some can be complicated by preeclampsia, which along with high blood pressure also has other symptoms such as protein in the urine. In general, blood pressure above 150/100 will need treatment.

Facts to Know About Yourself at 26 Weeks of Pregnancy:

• If you are having a boy, your testicles are starting to descend into your scrotum (a process that takes 2/3 months to complete).
• Exclusively breastfeeding moms can burn up to 600 calories a day, which can help you regain weight after pregnancy.

What Symptoms Do You Have at 26 Weeks of Pregnancy?

Here are some symptoms you may be experiencing right now:

Difficulty sleeping:

At this time, sleeping well is difficult. Gentle exercise and using extra pillows can help you calm down at night.

Swelling:

Retention of fluid in the body causes swelling of the feet, hands and face. Severe swelling can be a sign of preeclampsia and requires medical attention.

Headaches/Migraine:

These can be a cause of hormonal fluctuations or stress . Meditation and yoga can relieve stress . Acupuncture and biofeedback are other alternative therapies that are safe for treating migraine during pregnancy.

Memory loss:

Due to hormonal fluctuations, temporary memory loss may occur. So jotting down important things in a notepad or on your smartphone can help.

Braxton Hicks Contractions:

Some pregnant women may experience irregular contractions, also called Braxton Hicks contractions. If the contractions are continuous and painful, see your doctor right away, as it could be a sign of premature labor.

Arterial hypertension:

High blood pressure can be a sign of preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome .

Itch:

It happens due to stretching of the skin. Severe itching can be due to obstetric cholestasis, which is a disease of the liver.

Bloating and Gas:

The growing uterus pushes the stomach out, causing swelling. In addition, the hormone progesterone relaxes your gastrointestinal muscles, which slows down the digestion process and makes you feel bloated.

clumsiness:

The shift in the body’s center of gravity, as well as loose joints, make it prone to slipping or tripping. Although this clumsiness is temporary, care must be taken to avoid falls or other accidents.

Round Ligament Pain:

The growing uterus stretches the groin ligaments causing pain.

Blurry vision:

Fluids that build up behind the eyes can cause blurred vision. With the growing baby, the body also goes through several physical and mental changes.

Body Changes at 26 Weeks of Pregnancy:

Physical Changes:

• Enlarged belly: This week, the uterus is elongated and the belly gets bigger with a protruding belly button. The top of the uterus can be felt about 2 ½ inches above the belly button.
• Swollen breasts.
• Blue veins are more prominent as there is more blood flow towards the pelvic area and breasts.
• stretch marks .

Emotional Changes:

• Mood swings.
• Anxiety .

While these are common changes that most women experience, some unusual symptoms may indicate preterm labor, which warrants immediate medical attention.

Premature Labor at 26 Weeks of Gestation:

Delivery that begins too early, between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation, is called preterm labor. Babies born between 24 and 28 weeks are extremely premature and weigh less than 1000g (2.2lb).

The survival rate of babies born weighing 751-1000g is 82%. These babies can also develop serious disabilities such as cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), blindness, deafness, and mental retardation.

When to Call the Doctor:

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away, as they may indicate premature labor:

• One contraction every 10 minutes or more often (five or more contractions in an hour).
• Leaking fluid from your vagina (rupture of the amniotic sac).
• Menstrual cramps .
• Low back pain and dull.
• Pelvic pressure.
• Abdominal cramps with or without Diarrhea .
• An unusual or sudden increase in vaginal discharge.
• Vaginal bleeding.
• In the absence of these, a regular OB/GYN consultation is sufficient.

Tips to Follow:

Here are some tips to help you stay healthy during pregnancy:

• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
• Also, follow a healthy lifestyle and eat homemade food. Include fish such as pollock, salmon, shrimp, catfish, anchovies and cod, which are good sources of omega 3 fatty acids. Avoid shark, swordfish, mackerel and swordfish as they contain high levels of mercury.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Too much caffeine is also bad as it can affect the growth of the fetus.
• Also, keep taking prenatal vitamin supplements like folic acid and iron.
• Engage in moderate physical activity, such as walking.
• Also, stay calm and keep stress at bay.
• Your body needs enough rest, so relax as much as you can.
• Also, do not take any medication without the doctor’s permission.
• Wear loose, breathable clothing.
• Also, maintain oral hygiene.
• Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals.
• Also, avoid cleaning cat litters to prevent toxoplasmosis.