Photo of the fetus, photo of the abdomen, ultrasound and video about the development of the child. Photo of the fetus, photo of the abdomen, ultrasound and video about the development of the child 26 obstetric weeks of pregnancy how many months

The 26th week of pregnancy ends the second trimester, which means that the cloudless period ends and the woman reaches the “finish line.” A pregnant woman’s well-being is rapidly changing, as is her baby. We will tell you in more detail about what happens during this period.

How many months is this?

Week 26 is the last week in the second trimester. In six days, the last third of the baby's gestation period will begin. This is the seventh obstetric month. Obstetricians measure gestational age in lunar months, each of which is exactly four weeks. Now, by their standards, the woman has 6.5 obstetric months. This is about 6 months according to the regular calendar.

24 weeks have passed since conception, and 22 weeks have passed since the missed period. There are approximately 14 weeks left until your expected due date. More than half of the long and interesting journey is left behind.

There is a rather difficult stage ahead. At the beginning of the 26th week, a woman reaches a “new level” - now all her thoughts are occupied only with the upcoming birth and baby.

Woman's feelings

Change is literally in the air. The expectant mother changes in appearance, her mood and well-being change dramatically. Already at week 26, many stop working, taking advantage of the next vacation. The law allows you to take another leave before maternity leave. You are supposed to go on maternity leave at 30 weeks; if a woman is carrying twins, she is given sick leave at 28 weeks. If you add up the next vacation and all the accumulated time off, then now you can say goodbye to your colleagues and transfer your business and position to your successor.

It becomes increasingly difficult for the expectant mother to carry out her work duties, sit at her workplace, and do household chores. Now she needs help and rest. The pleasant euphoria, which lasted throughout almost the entire second trimester, gradually gives way to fatigue and increased fatigue.

Stomach

The belly has grown significantly, and many women at 25-26 weeks of pregnancy notice that it has become difficult for them to put on shoes on their own, especially if it is winter outside, and boots or shoes need to be laced or zipped. It’s becoming more and more difficult to bend, the stomach is in the way, and it’s also difficult to put on shoes while sitting, because raising your legs to the level of your hands has become difficult.

Many pregnant women can no longer see their feet when walking; it is almost impossible to see where the woman is stepping. This creates a very real threat of loss of balance, falling, and injury, especially in winter.

The belly is growing by leaps and bounds. It is no longer only the woman who feels the movements of her baby, they are clearly visible to everyone around her: during periods of activity, the stomach literally shakes under clothes. It is no longer possible to hide the belly; even loose clothing does not hide the “interesting position”.

Movements

At the 26th week, the baby is actively gaining weight, it becomes increasingly crowded in the uterine cavity, and therefore, at the 26th week, movements can begin to cause pain to the woman. The thinner the expectant mother is, the more she feels the baby’s movements.

Women carrying twins at this stage are already experiencing real suffering from pushes and kicks to a variety of internal organs.

The movements became regular. The expectant mother has already “studied” the baby’s rhythm of life and its routine. She knows exactly when the baby is sleeping and when he is awake, when the baby hiccups and when he is worried. Existing methods for counting movements are not yet of practical use. They are usually used starting from the 28th week of pregnancy. In the meantime, the expectant mother should simply record the presence or absence of fetal motor activity.

Excessively active and prolonged movements (for several hours without rest) may be a sign that the baby has pressed his own umbilical cord with his body or has become entangled, and now he is suffering from a lack of oxygen.

Quietness most often indicates that the baby is sleeping, but if it does not make itself felt during the day, you should also consult a doctor.

Now the activity of the belly dweller is at its peak. This will continue until about 32 weeks, then there will be little space in the uterus, the baby will grow, and active movements will be difficult for him. Even now babies have difficulty turning over.

At week 26, women often pay attention to the fact that the baby’s activity is related not only to his personal daily routine, but also to external factors, for example, the weather outside the window. On rainy days and in extreme heat, babies try to sleep more.

Also, activity depends on many other factors - the mother’s diet, her mood. If a woman is stressed, then the specific hormones that she produces during this period are transmitted to the baby and act similarly on his body. The movements become more rare.

But from the chocolate eaten by the mother and the joyful event in her life, the kids become more active. This invisible emotional connection will continue in the first months after the baby is born.

At night during the 26th obstetric week, most babies give their mother “dances,” and therefore it becomes difficult for the woman to get enough sleep and rest fully. During the day, when the woman is in an upright position, walking, doing something, the baby is rocked and moves less intensely.

In addition, already now the baby is “showing his character” with might and main: some babies push and kick often, while others doze more. After birth, the temperament will remain: some children will be calm, while others will be inquisitive adventurers literally from the first days of their lives.

Psychological state and mood

A woman’s well-being is no longer as easy and relaxed as before, and this cannot but affect her mood. The imminent departure on maternity leave causes mixed feelings.

On the one hand, the woman is happy and glad that soon she will be able to rest as much as she wants, and will not have to get up anywhere in the morning. On the other hand, doubts and worries arise about whether she will retain her job, whether she will have somewhere to go after maternity leave, because finding a new job, if something happens, with a small child in her arms is not so easy.

According to the law, the employer does not have the right to fire a woman who is on maternity leave. The exception is cases of complete liquidation of the enterprise, but even in this case the woman will not be left without means of subsistence; she will be paid the compensation provided for by law.

Therefore, there is no need to worry or worry. It’s better to focus on meeting your baby soon.

However, the very fact of impending childbirth at this time begins to frighten women. Moreover, childbirth causes horror not only for those who are facing it for the first time. Sometimes during the second or even third pregnancy, the anxiety and fear are stronger, because the woman already clearly understands how childbirth goes and what complications and unforeseen situations may arise during it.

Most pregnant women at 26 obstetric weeks admit that they feel an unpleasant feeling of dependence on others. Now a woman needs help to tie her shoes, go to the store for groceries, hang up the washed laundry, etc. Everything that she used to successfully cope with on her own now becomes very difficult without outside help.

Such specialists have quite a lot of experience working with a contingent of pregnant women, they have individual methods and techniques that will allow them to understand the situation, give practical advice and recommendations, because the expectant mother now needs peace of mind no less than vitamins and good nutrition.

Painful sensations

Despite the fact that there are still about 3 months left before giving birth, the expectant mother’s body begins large-scale preparatory “measures” for this difficult test. The production of the hormone relaxin begins, under the influence of which the pelvic bones become softer and more pliable. Many pregnant women feel that their pubic bone hurts.

If this pain is not sharp and acute, does not limit movements and the ability to move, sit, or walk up the stairs, then there is no reason for alarm. In case of acute pain, you should visit an obstetrician-gynecologist and orthopedist to rule out symphysitis.

Under the influence of increased weight, women experience pain and ache in their legs, especially their knees and ankles. Cramps in the calf muscles are possible, especially at night. Such painful contractions are symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body, after all, the baby has already taken a lot of this mineral, and his need for calcium has not yet dried up.

At this stage, the back hurts and aches for two reasons at once: the center of gravity has shifted due to the growing belly, and the back muscles experience increased stress due to the need to hold the upper part of the body in an upright position with the breasts having grown a couple of sizes.

The growth of the uterus continues, the ligaments stretch and thicken, the task of which is to hold the reproductive female organ in the correct position. This is accompanied by tingling in the area of the uterus and on the sides of it, and the woman occasionally experiences lower back pain. The lower back is pulled not only due to stretching of the ligamentous apparatus, but also due to the weight load.

Physiological pain does not require treatment, painkillers or physiotherapy. It is quite simple to distinguish them from pathological ones.

Natural pain at this stage is not accompanied by abnormal discharge from the genital organs, the pain does not intensify, does not resemble contractions in nature, and the uterus does not become toned. If you rest a little, lie down, soak in a warm shower, then they subside.

Discharge

Discharge from the genitals from the 26th week of pregnancy needs careful monitoring. In order not to miss pathological changes, it is worth using daily thin sanitary pads.

Tampons should not be used, because they increase the likelihood of congestion inside the vagina, which promote the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, the very process of inserting a tampon into the genital tract poses a danger from the point of view of infection.

There is more discharge at week 26. If pregnancy proceeds normally, then the vaginal secretion has a white, beige or yellowish color, a uniform consistency without any impurities of blood, mucus, or clots. There may be no smell at all, or there may be a slight smell of sour milk. Such discharge is considered completely normal.

Deviation from the norm may be indicated by discharge of a different color, having an unpleasant odor, a strange consistency, and also causing unpleasant sensations - itching, burning. Such pathological discharges include greenish and gray discharge, characteristic of a bacterial and purulent infection, white curdled discharge, which may be a sign of thrush, as well as bloody and watery discharge.

Pink and brown discharge also belong to blood and differ from each other only in the number of red blood cells in the vaginal discharge. If the discharge looks like water, is heavy, or is released in small amounts but regularly, this may indicate a water break or leakage.

In all cases where the discharge pattern deviates from the norm, you should go to the doctor, and if your water breaks, it is best to immediately call an ambulance.

At week 26, a woman should wash herself two or three times a day with warm water without soap to prevent infection of the genital tract. Abundant discharge is a fertile environment for the proliferation of bacteria and fungi. Requirements for observing the rules of intimate hygiene are increasing several times.

Changes in the body

Changes on the physical level are becoming increasingly noticeable this week. Most pregnant women have increased pigmentation. Moles and freckles (if they were present before pregnancy) became brighter, and the circles around the nipples darkened.

The breast itself hurts much less than before, or does not bother the woman at all. Colostrum may be released from the nipples - this is also normal.

Often, women at 26 weeks notice that their fingers are numb and there is tingling in their limbs. All this is a consequence of large and important processes that are now taking place in the female body.

Uterine growth

The uterus continues to grow along with the baby. At week 26, it is in the abdominal cavity, its bottom rises 6 centimeters above the navel. The navel itself has stopped sticking out, but now more tangible problems have appeared. The uterus “props up” the diaphragm, the woman begins to experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath appears, and it is almost impossible to take a calm, deep breath.

Nausea and heartburn return again. This time they are not associated with hormonal changes, as was the case in the first trimester. Now only the large and heavy uterus, which compresses the stomach and gall bladder, is “to blame” for digestive disorders.

Compressed intestinal loops cannot provide normal stool, so diarrhea, constipation, and increased gas formation are possible during the current period. The uterus rises on average one centimeter per week. The height of the uterine fundus at week 26 is 24-28 centimeters. The length of the cervix is 35-45 mm.

By the end of the second trimester, the body of the uterus had reached an impressive size - 24-28 centimeters in height and 15-17 centimeters in width. Shortening of the cervix at this stage is the main cause of premature birth.

The cervix usually becomes shorter and effaced before childbirth. This period is not considered normal for such a process. A short neck requires preservation therapy. An obstetric pessary, previously placed sutures on the cervix, fixing it and not allowing it to open prematurely, are the main ways to prolong pregnancy in case of cervical incompetence.

A woman feels the uterus perfectly not only while sitting or turning from side to side. Now the location of the uterus is easily determined without the help of a doctor; the upper limit of the reproductive organ almost supports the lower part of the mammary glands.

Now more than ever, the need to lighten the load is greater. A special orthopedic prenatal bandage will help a woman with this.

Weight gain

The weight continues to gain quite rapidly. There is nothing strange in this, because the volume of amniotic fluid by week 26 is about 700 ml, the placenta weighs about 300 grams, the baby itself weighs almost a kilogram, and the uterus weighs about half a kilogram. If you add to this your own fat reserves and the increased amount of blood circulating in the female body, you get a pretty impressive number.

Weight gain is considered normal if the expectant mother now gains no more than 400-500 grams per week. However, the overall “gain” is a rather individual matter.

Thin women should normally add no more than 9 kilograms to their original weight this week.
Women of normal weight should gain no more than 8 kilograms.
Expectant mothers who were “chubby” before pregnancy - no more than 5-5.5 kilograms.

You now need to monitor your weight very closely, weighing yourself weekly and recording the results in a special notebook.

Unmotivated weight gain at this stage, subject to the principles of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, may be the only symptom of a dangerous complication of pregnancy - gestosis.

Training contractions

So-called training contractions this week are observed in approximately 30% of women. Moreover, most of them are primiparas. In the second or third pregnancy, training contractions usually begin just before labor, a few days or even hours before. But there are also exceptions.

The training contractions themselves should not frighten the pregnant woman, because they do not affect the child or the woman’s health in any way, and do not lead to smoothing and dilation of the cervix. Despite women’s fears, false contractions do not bring labor closer; with or without them (after all, some do not experience a single false contraction during their entire pregnancy), labor will begin at its scheduled time.

It is not difficult to determine the tone of the uterus at this stage; all women in the “position” are fluent in this. This is how training contractions manifest themselves. For a few minutes the uterus turns to stone, the stomach tenses, after which everything goes away without a trace. Such contractions do not repeat regularly; at week 26 they can “visit” the pregnant woman once every few days.

If a woman lies down at the moment of contraction, changes her body position, relaxes, or visits the shower room, then the unpleasant and frightening sensation will subside.

Real contractions are difficult to confuse with false ones. If premature birth begins, the contractile activity of the uterus will proceed according to the same principles as in the case of full-term pregnancy: contractions will repeat at certain intervals and intensify. You won't be able to remove them with a warm shower.

Arterial pressure

At 26 weeks of pregnancy, blood pressure finally returns to its origins, to the woman’s usual level that she had before pregnancy. If during the second trimester blood pressure was slightly lower, then by the end of this period it increases in all expectant mothers, thus leveling out to “non-pregnant” values.

This means that a healthy woman begins to suffer from headaches less often, becomes dizzy less often, and is significantly less likely to suddenly lose consciousness. However, in overweight women, multiple pregnancies and women prone to hypertension (high blood pressure), headaches may begin to hurt right now. If there is gestosis, its course may worsen.

From week 26, special attention should be paid to blood pressure levels. It is measured on both hands in the morning and evening; if the values increase, you should definitely consult a doctor without delaying it for later, because high blood pressure is dangerous for the placenta and the baby.

If your head hurts regularly, you also need to consult a doctor: perhaps the reason does not lie in your blood pressure level.

Decreased visual acuity

Many expectant mothers, in the middle of the seventh obstetric month, notice that their visual acuity has decreased slightly. Such changes are caused by fluid retention in the body, sometimes swelling of the eyelids, increased load on all vessels, including intraocular ones, as well as the so-called “dry eye syndrome”.

If a woman had vision problems before pregnancy, now she needs to visit an ophthalmologist. If there were no such problems, you don’t have to worry: the decrease in vision is temporary, and after childbirth, visual function will be restored in full.

Baby development

By the 26th week, most babies assume the correct position in the uterine cavity - the cephalic position, that is, they are positioned with their head down, towards the exit of the uterus. In this position they will be born, although some especially mobile babies still manage to change their body position.

If the baby is now in a breech or transverse presentation, do not panic ahead of time and prepare for an inevitable caesarean section. The position of the fetus for the purpose of choosing a method of delivery is usually determined much later. While the baby has time to change his position.

Now the baby is becoming more and more human-like, he is actively gaining weight. At week 26, he already weighs from 750 grams to a kilogram. His height is 33-35.5 centimeters. From crown to tailbone (CTR) the height is about 29 centimeters.

Appearance

The appearance of the baby at this stage is already very individual. Many of her features are unique to him, to this baby and no one else. Embryos are as similar to each other as two peas in a pod, but enough time has passed after the embryonic period for the baby to display the traits that he “got” from his mom and dad.

Now children have different sized noses, different lengths of eyelashes, different lip shapes, and different forehead heights. And only everyone’s ears are a little similar in that they are slightly protruding.

The ears are made of cartilage tissue, it is still quite soft. Once the shells harden, they will take a more natural position in relation to the head. By the way, from the degree of softness of the ears, doctors judge the degree of prematurity of the baby if he is born much earlier than his due date.

The skin began to smooth out due to the appearance of subcutaneous fatty tissue, but not all the wrinkles have disappeared yet, and the baby, if you look at him in 3D or 4D formats on an ultrasound, looks very much like a little old man. As the wrinkles smooth out, this similarity will gradually disappear.

The baby's jaws are well developed. Previously, the rudiments of baby teeth were laid, now molars and permanent teeth are being laid in full swing. Until the period of loss of baby teeth, they will be located deep in the jaw tissue.

The child begins to develop his own skin pigment, now he is no longer a red-purple tadpole, but a fully formed person with skin similar to his usual color, although thinner than it seems. There are nails on the fingers, fingerprints are identified on the pads of the fingers - unique, inimitable patterns on the skin.

The vernix shows the baby's body and face. It protects the skin from water exposure. The lubricant is prevented from being washed off by the hair, which is called “lanugo”. These fine hairs all over the body are a result of the hair follicles, and gradually the baby has already begun to get rid of them.

The baby's body proportions have become more correct. The head is no longer the largest part of the body, and the legs, which were short, have now grown longer than the arms.

My tummy began to get better, small cute cheeks appeared, my arms and legs no longer made a pitiful impression of their thinness.

Nervous system and sensory organs

At week 26, the baby in the womb is not bored. His sense organs are actively developing, which allows your little one to explore the world with interest within the framework in which this is now possible. The baby's eyes open and close. He sees in color, but image clarity still leaves much to be desired. Everything seen is perceived by the baby as multi-colored blurry spots.

The hearing organs are fully functioning, and now the baby listens carefully. Favorite sound is the beating of mother's heart, it calms him down. After being born into this world, the baby will also react to the beating of the mother’s heart, which is why babies, if they are sick or capricious, are recommended to be put to the breast more often and held close. The baby will hear a familiar sound and calm down.

The formation of receptors responsible for the sense of smell continues now. Tactile sensations are already well known to the baby; he “uses” touch and quite successfully, feeling everything that surrounds him and himself. Also, the baby at this stage is a real gourmet; he distinguishes the shades of tastes of amniotic fluid, since he has developed taste buds located on the inner surface of the cheeks and on the tongue.

The cerebral cortex continues to develop. Thanks to the production of neurons, thousands of new neural connections are formed in each, and the baby learns new movements and skills.

Despite the fact that the process of developing the nervous system is the longest, the baby has already achieved a lot: he can suck, grab, spit, and swallow. His right or left hand is more active, and now you can understand whether he is left-handed or right-handed.

The baby clenches his fists, reacts to stimuli, both auditory and tactile, he sleeps and is awake, and during sleep, which at week 26 takes him up to 22 hours a day, your baby sees real dreams. It was possible to find out this by recording the phases of rapid and slow sleep in fetuses at the end of the second trimester. The REM sleep phase, in which dreams usually occur, predominates in babies.

At week 26, the brain not only takes control of the limbs and other parts of the body, but also establishes important contact with the adrenal cortex. Now the baby begins to develop its own hormonal levels.

Internal organs

The main processes this week take place in the baby’s lungs. They continue to form alveoli and produce surfactant, which started just a few days ago. The lungs themselves now occupy the correct position in the chest - a “triangle” with the apex upward. The maturation of lung tissue is a very important stage.

Alveoli resemble bubbles. In our case, they are filled with air and take part in gas exchange. And in babies in the womb, while they do not have independent full breathing, the alveoli are empty. To prevent them from “deflating” and “sticking together” after the first inhalation and exit, a surfactant is needed - a substance produced by the alveoli themselves. If the baby is in a hurry to be born, there may not be enough surfactant, which can lead to acute respiratory failure.

The baby’s digestive organs and endocrine glands are working almost in full normal mode. The kidneys produce urine, the first feces are deposited in the intestines - meconium, which consists of particles of exfoliated epithelium, lanugo, which got into the water and was swallowed by the baby.

The baby's heart beats rhythmically and clearly. Now even the future dad can hear it if he “listens” to his wife’s tummy with a stethoscope. The baby's heartbeat remains approximately twice as fast as his mother's. This week, the normal heart rate is 140-170 beats per minute.

The formation of the reproductive system in boys ends. The girls completed this process earlier. In most future representatives of the stronger sex this week, the testicles, which have traveled a long way from the abdominal cavity, descend into the scrotum. For other boys this happens at a later date. Only a small percentage of babies are born with undescended gonads, and in this case the testicles often descend after birth.

At the 26th week of pregnancy, the baby’s pituitary gland begins to produce its own growth hormones. And this will now significantly accelerate the pace of its maturation.

Viability

Childbirth at 26 weeks is not considered a miscarriage, it is a full birth, only premature. If the baby is born now weighing up to a kilogram, it will be considered extreme prematurity. The prognosis is questionable; despite the necessary intensive care, only 20% of babies survive.

If the baby’s weight exceeds a kilogram even slightly, prematurity will be considered severe. With it, approximately 30-35% of babies can be saved.

Babies born at 26 weeks are placed in special incubators with heating and oxygen supply, in which the babies grow until they gain a weight of 1.7 kilograms. After this, they can be placed in a heated crib. Once the child reaches a weight of 2 kilograms, he can be discharged home with his mother.

Unfortunately, even very good neonatologists cannot guarantee that a baby born at 26 weeks will be completely healthy. Survivors often experience neurological disorders of varying severity, hearing and vision impairment, and damage to the central nervous system. But such an outcome is not necessary. History knows quite a lot of children who were born in the seventh month of pregnancy, survived through the efforts of doctors and are now growing up quite healthy and strong. Much depends on the mood of the parents and, oddly enough, the baby himself.

Neonatologists know for sure that there are strong-willed babies who “cling on” to life with all their might, really want to live and survive, contrary to the forecasts of experts. If this happens, you just need to believe in your child, and he will definitely succeed.

Baby on ultrasound

Ultrasound examination is not included in the list of mandatory examinations this week. But it can be prescribed if the doctor has reasons for it. A good reason is considered to be complications that may arise during the process of carrying a baby this week: lack of movement, too much painful movement, the presence of severe pain and discharge that worries the doctor.

If there are no such indications for ultrasound and the pregnancy is progressing well, then the woman has the right to go to the ultrasound room herself; now there are such rooms in any private clinic. This may be necessary in order to determine the sex of the baby and take a photo that will certainly decorate the family archive. The gender of the child at this stage is clearly visible, and the accuracy of determination is quite high.

Later, when the baby becomes very cramped in the uterus, he will take a more compact position, tighten his arms and legs, and the genitals will not be easy to see. If you want to find out the gender of your baby, now is the best time to do so.

Pregnant women really want to know whether her baby meets developmental standards for a given period. At 25-26 weeks, the norms for fetometry are as follows:

BPR - 56-74 mm;
LZR - 75-96 mm;
DBK - 38-55 mm;
DKG (tibia or tibia length) - 34-47 mm;
DKP (length of forearm bones) - 35-43 mm;
Head circumference - 224-262 mm;
Abdominal circumference - 194 -240 mm.

These norms are quite approximate, because, as already mentioned, all children at this stage are different. However, you need to know that a lag behind the norms by more than 2 weeks may indicate intrauterine growth retardation, and ahead of the upper limit of the norms by the same period may be a sign that a large fetus is growing and developing in the mother’s tummy, the weight of which is birth weight will exceed 4 kilograms.

Possible dangers and risks

There are a lot of dangerous situations that can await a pregnant woman at 26 weeks. Following your doctor's recommendations will help you avoid them. The doctor does not say anything insignificant or random: if he asks not to overeat or take Utrozhestan for such a long period of time, then he has every reason for this. The following threats pose the greatest threat right now.

Preeclampsia

Edema poses the greatest danger because it is a symptom of such an unpleasant and dangerous complication of pregnancy as gestosis. Late toxicosis can cause the death of a woman and child, intrauterine hypoxia and complications during childbirth. At week 26, swelling may appear not only in the arms and legs, but also on the face. Most often, the nose, chin and lips of a pregnant woman become blurred.

The diagnosis is made by the presence of edema, visible visually, as well as if internal edema is suspected, protein appears in the urine and blood pressure increases. To avoid this, now you need to exclude salty foods and smoked foods from your diet, and reduce the amount of salt to 5 grams per day.

Bad habits and concomitant chronic diseases only aggravate the course of gestosis. If the doctor suggests hospitalization, there is no need to refuse it.

Hemorrhoids and varicose veins

Compression of the lower veins by the uterus can result in varicose veins at week 26, and poor circulation in the hemorrhoidal veins often causes hemorrhoids in pregnant women. Both of these diseases are considered common “companions” of the second half of the gestation period.

Both diseases are easier to prevent than to cure. To prevent varicose veins, it is advisable to wear special stockings, which are sold in any orthopedic salon. The best prevention of hemorrhoids is a balanced diet with an abundance of raw vegetables and fruits, they prevent constipation. It is also advisable to lead a fairly active lifestyle, as far as the future mother’s well-being allows.

If unpleasant diseases do appear, you should definitely consult a doctor: self-medication during pregnancy is strictly contraindicated.

ARVI, flu, colds

Reduced immunity at week 26 contributes to easier infection. Therefore, the expectant mother needs to be extremely attentive and beware of seasonal illnesses - ARVI, influenza. Even a common cold can cause a lot of discomfort.

If the prevention did not help, the expectant mother has a sore throat, a fever, a severe runny nose, a cough, you should definitely call a doctor at home. The consequences of a cold are not as dangerous at the end of the second trimester as unreasonable and imprudent treatment with medications and folk remedies that have not been approved by the treating doctor.

Exacerbation of chronic diseases

Due to the increased load on all organs and systems, a woman’s chronic diseases may now worsen. If you previously had colitis, ulcers, problems with the gallbladder, kidneys, liver, heart, now the manifestation of the disease may occur.

Frequent urination during this period does not necessarily mean an exacerbation of pyelonephritis or other diseases of the urinary system. If there is no pain and urine tests are good, we are talking about compression of the bladder by the uterus. This is a natural “inconvenience” for a pregnant woman, which will go away after childbirth.

Analyzes and examinations

During this period, no mandatory tests are prescribed. If you have a regular doctor’s appointment this week, you should take a general urine test before the appointment. Most pregnant women are also given a referral for a general blood test at week 26 to rule out another dangerous complication - anemia.

Women with Rh-negative blood this week can additionally donate blood to determine the antibody titer, the increase of which may indicate a developing Rh conflict. Women with hormonal imbalance are prescribed tests for testosterone, hCG, progesterone and estrogens.

The peculiarities of this period are that all previously given recommendations to the woman should be adjusted to take into account the fact that the condition of the expectant mother no longer allows for long walks or to be actively involved in work and study. Now the main “adviser” is common sense.

At week 26, you should not do anything that comes with great difficulty. The following recommendations will be useful at this particular time.

Start establishing a good family tradition evening walks before bed. Walking with your husband will help improve your relationship and will benefit both spouses. Then, when the baby is born, the whole family can go for evening walks.
Sign up for courses for expectant mothers. Even if you already have a child and everything is familiar, in such classes you can find useful and interesting communication among like-minded people, as well as ask all your questions to doctors - a gynecologist, pediatrician, neonatologist.

When planning a menu for a week or several days, a woman must take into account the fact that the pressure of the uterus on the digestive organs has increased this week. Now it is desirable to increase not only the calorie content of the daily diet by 500-600 Kcal, but also introduce a new, additional meal, by reducing the amount of food consumed. This will help avoid heartburn and nausea.
If stretch marks begin to appear on your skin, be sure to you should use special cosmetics for their further prevention. The skin is now more sensitive to cosmetics, and allergic reactions may occur. If a woman has sensitive skin, it is best to rub warmed vegetable sunflower or almond oil into the skin of her chest, thighs, and abdomen after a shower.

If you have problems sleeping, it is uncomfortable for a woman to sleep on the right or left side It is worth buying a special pillow for pregnant women. It will allow you to take a position in bed that is physiologically considered the most suitable for the expectant mother.
Sex at 26 weeks is not contraindicated if the pregnancy proceeds without complications. If in doubt, it is better to consult a doctor about the possibility of being sexually active. The precautions are the same as before, only the choice of poses is becoming smaller. Now it is important not only not to squeeze your stomach during sex, but also to avoid deep penetration. If you experience pain or abnormal discharge after sex, you should definitely visit a doctor.

If you plan to travel during this period, do not worry about the flight. Almost all airlines do not ask a woman for a doctor’s certificate until the 28th week of pregnancy.

However, there may be some nuances established by the carrier’s rules. Therefore, before purchasing tickets, you need to indicate your deadline and ask if there are any restrictions.

The 26th obstetric week is the third trimester. Nowadays, a woman’s body is working at an increased rate, so a pregnant woman often experiences fatigue, drowsiness and irritation. What else happens during this period with the baby and mother you will find out in the article.

26 weeks of pregnancy is the beginning of the third trimester or the seventh month of bearing the baby. Mommy's general well-being changes. Now she no longer feels as carefree as in the early stages, when her tummy was still very small. Even doing daily housework becomes a real challenge for a woman. It is becoming increasingly difficult for her to bend, squat and turn.

Due to the growth of the uterus and its compression of internal organs, at the 26th week of pregnancy, a change in the breathing rhythm appears in the mother. This happens because the uterus puts pressure on the diaphragm. Shortness of breath often occurs, especially when walking. In addition, the growing fetus puts pressure on the bladder and intestines. Frequent trips to the toilet do not give rest both during the day and at night.

Physiological and emotional changes

During this period, there is a rapid increase in body weight. Now you should carefully monitor your diet, because extra pounds can negatively affect the birth process. In addition, along with the mother, the baby also gains weight, and a fetus that is too large during childbirth can cause ruptures in the woman and injuries to the uterus.

The emotional mood of the pregnant woman changes. The thought of meeting your baby haunts me. Many girls experience the so-called “nesting syndrome” at 26 weeks. It manifests itself in the desire to tidy up the apartment, arrange a crib for the baby, iron the baby's undershirts, and so on. Scientists explain that such a desire is absolutely natural, because nature itself has created the “nesting syndrome” in a woman. The task of loved ones during this period is to support the pregnant woman as much as possible and protect her from unwanted emotional stress. Sometimes you even need to fulfill some of mommy's whims. Of course, if they are within reason.

Baby's height and weight at 26 weeks

Baby weight – 700-750 g.

The child's height is 32-35 cm.

A baby in the seventh month of pregnancy is already a full-fledged little person. The face has eyebrows and eyelashes. The eyes, mouth and nose are located in their anatomical places. The ears are fully formed. Now they are still quite soft, but this does not prevent the baby from clearly hearing the world around him. The formation of the inner ear at 26 weeks is almost complete. Every day, the little one listens to his mother’s heartbeat, intestinal rumbling, the voices of others and other sounds.

What else happens to the fetus:

At the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby's eyes gradually open. Mommy must remember that now it is better to avoid too bright light sources.
It is also undesirable to play loud music or stay in noisy places for a long time. It’s better to sing calm songs to your child, turn on classical music, and tell fairy tales.
It is important that not only mom, but also dad talks to the tummy. The baby remembers the voices of the people around him while still in the womb. Communication with the father at this stage will help establish close contact between them.
The baby's skeleton continues to grow and strengthen at this stage of pregnancy. The rudiments of primary and molar teeth are fully formed. Permanent teeth begin to ossify.
Lung development is completed. At the seventh month, the baby is ready to take his first breath. Often, babies born at 26 weeks survive.
Every day of pregnancy, the baby’s skin becomes lighter and wrinkles are smoothed out. This occurs as a result of the accumulation of brown fat. The child needs this material for heat exchange. Baby folds appear on the baby's arms and legs.

Do you want to know how a child develops from birth to one year? Read.

Important changes occur in the brain.

Now its close connection with the adrenal cortex has already been established. This is necessary for the pituitary gland to produce its own growth hormone and other hormones.

What does the baby do in the womb?

During the 26th week of pregnancy, the baby sleeps most of the time. Sleep takes 18-20 hours. During the waking period, the toddler actively moves, rolls over, moves its arms and legs, touches the umbilical cord, sucks its thumb, hiccups, yawns, squints and performs other actions. There is less and less space in the mother's tummy for the fetus. Now not only the woman feels the tremors, the movements can also be noticed by close people around her.

The size of the uterus at 26 weeks is already quite large. It occupies almost the entire abdominal cavity, greatly constricting other internal organs. The height of the uterus reaches about 26 cm, and the width is about 17 cm. It is located 5-6 cm above the navel and at a height of 25-26 cm above the pubic bone. The organ rises 10 mm weekly. Due to compression of the intestines and other organs, the mother may develop diarrhea, heartburn, bloating, nausea and other dyspeptic disorders at 26 weeks and later.

The cervical canal of the uterus at this stage of pregnancy is filled with a thick mucus plug. It will depart at 38-39 weeks just before birth and will become its harbinger. Now the uterus is actively preparing for the birth of the baby, which is characterized by the occurrence of periodic false contractions. In medical practice, such contractions are called false contractions.

Training or Breston-Higgins contractions do not cause any unpleasant sensations to the pregnant woman and are not of a regulatory nature. They do not pose a threat to the child. Read more about false contractions.

You should immediately go to the hospital or call an ambulance if regularity appears between contractions and their intensity increases. This symptom indicates the onset of labor.

Pain at 26 weeks of pregnancy

Painful sensations in a woman at the beginning of the third trimester occur for various reasons. Let's look at them:

The baby already weighs about 700 g, his pushing and turning can be very painful for mommy. At the same time, the uterus seems to turn to stone, pulling the lower abdomen. If the discomfort goes away quickly, there is no need to worry.
Due to the softening of joints and ligaments under the influence of certain hormones, a girl may feel pain in the back, lower back, lower abdomen, tailbone and pubic area.
Back discomfort during pregnancy occurs due to increased load on the spine and a shift in the center of gravity.
The stomach hurts due to stretching of the muscles of the uterus.

In addition, at the 26th week of pregnancy, the mother often experiences headaches, and cramps may occur in the lower extremities. This is due to increased load on the legs. To relieve discomfort, it is recommended to rest more, wear shoes without heels, and when lying down, try to raise your legs to a height, for example, on a pillow.

Relaxing in a cool room will help eliminate headaches during pregnancy. The room should be quiet and well ventilated. If you have a headache for a long time, it is better to consult your doctor.

Discharge

There is a certain norm of discharge during pregnancy. At 26 weeks of pregnancy, the mother is allowed clear mucous secretion from the vagina without a strong unpleasant odor. Other discharges are considered pathological and can lead to such serious consequences as premature birth and loss of the child.

A condition in which watery spots appear on mommy's underwear is considered especially dangerous. Liquid discharge indicates leakage of amniotic fluid and depressurization of the placenta. In addition, you should immediately contact an antenatal clinic during pregnancy if a secretion of the following nature appears:

Brown, light brown or bloody - indicate the presence of blood, which often becomes a sign of beginning bleeding.
Gray, yellow, green with a sharp unpleasant odor - indicate infection of the woman’s reproductive organs.
White curdled ones - appear with thrush.
Watery spots are a sign of amniotic fluid leakage.

Sometimes mothers at 26 weeks of pregnancy confuse leakage of amniotic fluid with involuntary urination, which often develops due to pressure of the uterus on the bladder.

There are special tests that distinguish amniotic fluid from others. If, after the test, a pregnant woman’s concerns are confirmed, she should immediately consult a doctor.

26 obstetric weeks are 6 months and 14 days. Obstetric period is calculated from the first day of the last menstruation.

If we talk about the embryonic period of pregnancy, then it is quite difficult to calculate it. This refers directly to the date from conception. In this regard, in medical practice it is the obstetric term that is used, since it is not always possible to accurately calculate the embryonic term.

What does a baby look like at this stage?

In the photo you can see what the baby looks like at 26-27 weeks on an ultrasound.

At this stage, the baby usually lies head down, but sometimes pregnant women experience a breech presentation of the fetus. By the way, the size and shape of the mother’s tummy depends on the position of the baby. In addition, a 3D ultrasound can be performed. This procedure is paid, so it is not included in the screening.

Normal fetal movements

At the twenty-sixth week, the baby continues to actively move in the mother’s tummy. The baby is already being pushed quite painfully into the ribs and this is an excellent way to manipulate a woman. For example, if a pregnant woman somehow sat down awkwardly and there was not enough space for the baby, he will certainly let you know about this with the help of pushes. Normally, the baby should move about 8-10 times within an hour, of course, this does not apply to the period when he is sleeping. If the movements stop for 2-3 hours, there is no need to worry.

You should be wary of a situation when the fetus does not move, pushes little or its movements, on the contrary, have become too active. This behavior of the baby may indicate various abnormalities (fetal hypoxia, etc.). Having noticed a change in the rhythm of movements, the mother should immediately inform the doctor about it. The specialist will prescribe an ultrasound and some other examination methods that will help make sure everything is okay with the child.

If a woman is pregnant with twins, the number of movements must be multiplied by two.

Dangers for mother and baby in the seventh month

At 26 weeks, women face many problems. Let's consider common pathologies:

Frozen pregnancy. Fetal death occurs for various reasons. These include hormonal imbalances, developmental defects of the baby, infections, injuries and much more.
Cold. It is quite difficult to protect yourself from viral and bacterial infections, especially in winter. Treatment of ARVI should be carried out exclusively under medical supervision. If mommy is sick, self-therapy is dangerous for her and the baby. Seeing a doctor should be mandatory.
Increased tone of the uterus (hypertonicity). This condition is often diagnosed in pregnant women. The use of relaxation methods and sedatives helps to cope with it. During pregnancy, the use of herbal medicines is allowed, strictly as prescribed by a specialist.

Another dangerous complication is late toxicosis or gestosis. With gestosis, a woman’s general well-being at 26 weeks deteriorates greatly, swelling appears, mommy feels nauseous, and has a headache.

This pathology in the later stages is very dangerous and often leads to the death of the fetus and serious consequences for the girl. With the development of late toxicosis, a woman should be under close medical supervision. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate.

Complications at week 26 also include:

Polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios. Pathology of amniotic fluid can be provoked by such factors as the mother’s exposure to infectious and inflammatory diseases, congenital defects in the fetus, Rh conflict between mother and child, and much more. Treatment depends on the cause of the condition being described. If the fetus does not suffer, only dynamic observation by a doctor is indicated for the pregnant woman.
Short cervix. This pathology develops for various reasons. Treatment depends on them. If shortening is caused by hormonal disorders, the pregnant woman is prescribed hormones (Utrozhestan, Duphaston). If the problem is of non-hormonal origin, minimally invasive surgical techniques are used (putting on a ring, suturing the neck).

Week 26 is the last week of the 6th month and 2nd trimester of pregnancy. The baby is already quite big, he can do a lot of things, but it is still very early for him to be born. The baby cannot survive without the help of doctors and special equipment. Therefore, the expectant mother should direct all her efforts to safely carry the pregnancy to term and not risk the child.

Fetal size at 26 weeks of gestation

By the end of the week, the baby’s height is 30-32 cm, weight – 750-850 g. If the mother is sent for an ultrasound at this time, the specialist will be able to determine in more detail the size of all parts of the baby’s body:

A special program embedded in the ultrasound machine evaluates these values and gives the doctor the gestational age, which corresponds to the size of the fetus. All information must be entered into the study protocol. Subsequently, the gynecologist compares the actual and determined pregnancy period with the parameters of the mother’s abdomen (height of the uterine fundus and abdominal circumference). This allows the doctor to identify the baby’s malnutrition – intrauterine growth retardation.

What happens to the baby at 26 weeks

At week 26, the achievements of the past months are consolidated and something completely new:

Feelings of a woman at 26 weeks of pregnancy

The closer the 3rd trimester, the more often the expectant mother experiences various health problems:

Each of these conditions should not cause severe discomfort. If the discomfort is severe, you should definitely consult a doctor. An expectant mother should not endure pain and neglect her health.

Abdominal parameters and weight gain of a woman at the end of the 6th month of pregnancy

The height of the uterine fundus at 26 weeks is 25-26 cm(a few fingers above the navel). Abdominal circumference is 1 cm larger than the previous week. Significant deviations in either direction are undesirable.

Weight gain during this week should not exceed 400-500 g. The total gain for the entire pregnancy is about 8 kg.

Possible complications and their causes

An expectant mother at 26 weeks of pregnancy may encounter the following pregnancy complications:

If the expectant mother is registered with the antenatal clinic, regularly visits the gynecologist and undergoes all the tests prescribed by him, the listed complications will be identified at the initial stages of development. This will enable doctors to provide timely treatment.

Necessary tests

When a pregnant woman is registered, the gynecologist, in accordance with her state of health, chooses the most appropriate pregnancy management plan. It will include a package of mandatory studies and a number of additional tests and procedures - each woman will have something different. Some pregnant women will undergo 2-3 pregnancy tests during the entire period of gestation, and some mothers will have to go for an ultrasound scan almost every month. The same situation can happen with analyses. Therefore, if a gynecologist, in addition to mandatory examinations, prescribes something beyond the norm for a pregnant friend, but you do not, you should not worry and accuse the doctor of negligence. This means that my friend has evidence for this.

According to the plan, at the 26th week of pregnancy, each expectant mother is shown the following studies:

(it is advisable to take it the day before your visit to the gynecologist, so that the doctor has time to get the result).
Glucose tolerance test (usually done between 24-28 weeks).

All other studies according to indications:

Ultrasound with Doppler, if any abnormalities are detected during the examination of the woman (discrepancy between the abdomen and the gestational age, the baby’s heart cannot be heard well, etc.).
if anemia is suspected or to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for this condition.
Blood test for hemolysins or antibodies in case of Rh conflict (performed once a month).
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The twenty-sixth week of pregnancy marks the end of the second trimester. But this does not mean at all that from now on the expectant mother will have to spend all her time at home and anxiously await the upcoming birth.

Quite the contrary, during the last three months of bearing a baby, a woman needs to move regularly, often be in the fresh air, and to maintain peace of mind, it is advisable to communicate with optimistic people.

In this case, the 26th week of pregnancy will serve as a kind of transitional stage to the third trimester, a very important and responsible period in the life of a pregnant woman.

Fetal growth and development

At the 26th week of pregnancy, the length of the fetal body from the crown to the lower part of the buttocks (coccygeal-parietal size) is about 23 cm (230 mm), and the height from the top of the head to the heels is 35 cm (350 mm). The baby's body weight reaches 850 g.

Baby size now

Like an eggplant

Height36 cm

Weight760 g

Thus, the weight and height of the fetus at this stage are steadily approaching indicators at which the child can be considered viable. But it is too early for a baby to be born, since his body is still very weak and imperfect.

Despite the fact that the main systems and organs of the unborn baby are practically formed at this stage, the following changes occur in the fetal body:

The baby has learned to open his eyes completely.
The skin of the fetus gradually acquires a lighter shade.
Eyebrows and eyelashes are fully formed.
The lungs take on their normal shape.
Folds form on the elbow bends.
The pituitary gland, a very important gland of the body that performs the function of producing certain hormones, develops and improves.
The baby's movements may become more intense and noticeable, because the muscles of his body are constantly developing, and the space for movement becomes less.

The fetus at the 26th week of pregnancy becomes more and more similar in appearance to a newborn baby, although it is still very small in comparison. The position of the fetus in the uterus is still unstable, since the baby can easily be positioned differently in the tummy.

Modern women can get detailed information about what is happening with the baby and mother on the forum dedicated to pregnancy. There you can find out from special tables, the 26th obstetric week - how many months it is, study the calendar of doctor visits and tests, watch photos of the bellies of expectant mothers and videos about fetal development, put into practice the advice of the video guide, evaluate reviews of doctors and clinics.

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Changes in a woman's body

A woman's body spends a significant part of its resources to provide all the needs of the fetus. At the 26th week of pregnancy, the following changes occur:

A woman’s body weight gain within a week normally ranges from 300 to 550 grams, and the expectant mother now weighs 5.5-8.6 kg more than before pregnancy. During pregnancy with twins, a woman's weight may be slightly higher than recommended for this period.
The abdomen becomes even more rounded, the uterus is located 6 cm above the navel.
A common companion at week 26 is shortness of breath. If breathing becomes uneven and difficult during increased physical activity, you should periodically take breaks while performing any work.
Some women may develop stretch marks at 25-26 weeks, but if the expectant mother has previously played sports or has naturally elastic skin, then her abdominal skin will still look perfect.
If a woman’s stomach turns to stone, there can be at least two reasons: increased tone or training contractions. If such sensations are too intense, it is advisable to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.
At this stage, the formation of a mucous plug occurs, which will protect the uterine cavity almost until birth, so discharge at the 26th week of pregnancy may become more abundant.
Frequent urination can be a sign of cystitis or pyelonephritis, but often occurs due to pressure from the uterus on the bladder area. If there are no other symptoms, there is no need to worry, otherwise it is better to undergo an ultrasound of the kidneys.
If the expectant mother has pain in the pubic bone, this may be a symptom of symphysitis, an inflammatory process in the area of the symphysis pubis, which often occurs in the second half of pregnancy. Inflammation of the bone can be caused by its softening too early or too intensely before future birth.

Other sensations at 26 weeks of pregnancy may be associated with the characteristics of the woman’s body, as well as with the presence of certain chronic diseases.

Analyzes and examinations

During the next visit to a medical facility, the specialist will measure the abdominal circumference, the height of the uterine fundus, determine the woman’s body weight, check the blood pressure level, and also listen to the fetal heartbeat using a special obstetric stethoscope.

An ultrasound is usually not performed at 26 weeks of pregnancy. An exception is possible in two cases: if the expectant mother for some reason did not undergo this type of examination in the middle of the second trimester, as well as if complications arise or her health deteriorates.

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In this case, during the ultrasound, the doctor will not only determine the parameters of the fetal body, but will also pay attention to the location of the child in the uterus. However, the question of how the fetus is positioned should not particularly worry a woman at this stage, because there is still enough free space around the baby to change the position of the body. The doctor will also remind the woman how often the baby should move, since this indicator is an important criterion for assessing the condition of the fetus.

If the expectant mother is at risk and has diseases such as diabetes, she simply needs to take a blood test at 26 weeks to determine glucose levels. And one should not assume that diabetes is a rare disease of women of pre-retirement age, because, according to statistics, about 2% of pregnant women suffer from this disease, many of whom do not even suspect it.

A urine test is also necessary, because its results may indicate the presence of a hidden inflammatory process of the urinary tract or the development of preeclampsia.

It would be quite useful to determine the level of hemoglobin in the blood of a pregnant woman. Iron deficiency can occur at any stage, because the blood volume of the expectant mother is constantly increasing, and the body does not always cope with the increased load, and the woman’s nutrition may be far from ideal. If signs of iron deficiency anemia are detected, the doctor may recommend a special diet or taking certain medications to replenish the iron deficiency in the body.

Possible dangers at 26 weeks of pregnancy

During the current week, the expectant mother may face some dangers. So, at 26 weeks of pregnancy the following complications are possible:

Leakage of amniotic fluid. If the discharge becomes profuse and watery, the woman should inform the doctor. Fluid can pour out of the uterus in small portions, but this leads to a deterioration in the nutrition of the fetus.
Premature birth. Although there is a chance of survival for a fetus at 26 weeks of gestation, it is very small, so it is necessary to take all measures to prevent such a situation from occurring. If a woman has pain in the lower abdomen, spotting, pain in the lower back and cervix, as well as other alarming signs indicating an excessive increase in the tone of the uterus, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance, because if you go to a medical facility in a timely manner, it is possible to continue the pregnancy and wait so that the baby is born on time. In some cases, the threat of miscarriage occurs due to hormonal imbalance. For treatment, the doctor may prescribe some drugs, for example, Utrozhestan, but only after passing the necessary tests.
Preeclampsia. It is characterized by swelling, excessive weight gain, and deterioration in the woman’s well-being. The consequences of gestosis can be the most unpleasant, even leading to the occurrence of severe cardiovascular pathologies in a woman, so the doctor must find out the cause of the swelling and prescribe treatment. At the very beginning of the pathological process, the placenta begins to produce substances that negatively affect the walls of blood vessels, as a result of which small holes are formed in them, through which liquid and protein constantly penetrate from the bloodstream into the body tissues, which leads to the appearance of edema. Preeclampsia most often occurs from 16-20 weeks of pregnancy, so at 26 weeks its development is quite likely. Along with the appearance of edema, a woman may complain of high blood pressure, the appearance of spots in the eyes, headache, and also excessively rapid weight gain. In this case, a visit to the doctor is simply necessary.

To reduce the likelihood of developing any pregnancy complications, at week 26, as at any other time, the expectant mother should beware of any accidental falls, prolonged stay in a too hot room or under scorching sunlight, avoid contracting infectious diseases and carefully follow the rules of general and intimate hygiene. In this case, the risk of any unpleasant consequences will be minimized.

For an expectant mother at 26 weeks of pregnancy, the following tips may be useful:

If signs of insomnia appear, it is advisable to pay attention to your pillow. If it is too hard or, conversely, shapeless, it can lead to excessive tension in the neck muscles and pain in the back of the head, back of the neck and shoulders. A good solution is to purchase a special pillow for a pregnant woman, which looks like a special rounded cushion that provides support for the cervical vertebrae in the correct position.
If there is no swelling, you should drink enough water throughout the day. During the hot season, for example, in mid-July, the need for water and healthy drinks can increase significantly, and dehydration is dangerous for the pregnant woman’s body. If you have symptoms of gestosis, the question of how much fluid you can drink should be discussed with your doctor.
It's time to limit foods that are potential allergens in your diet. These types of food include strawberries, chocolate, and citrus fruits. You should also be careful when including fruits or vegetables that are intensely red or orange in your diet. Despite the fact that toxicosis is long behind us, the use of such products can lead to the development of certain diseases in the baby after birth, for example, trigger the occurrence of diathesis.
Colds continue to be dangerous for a pregnant woman, so in order to prevent the occurrence of respiratory diseases, you should lead a healthy lifestyle and, if possible, avoid communicating with people with signs of infection.
If you develop a fever or headache, do not reach for medications. Even a drug such as No-Spa cannot be taken during pregnancy without a doctor’s permission.

In your free time, you can make a list of clothing items and other things that your future family member will soon need. It is not at all necessary to purchase them now, but it will not be superfluous to get an idea of the volume of upcoming purchases and the amount of money needed for this purpose. Well, you can stock up on a dowry for the baby a little later, during maternity leave, when mommy will have a great opportunity to go shopping or order the necessary goods online. Other useful tips can be found in videos made specifically for pregnant women.

26th week of pregnancy: fetal height is 23 cm from crown to tailbone, about 33-35 cm from crown to heels. Weight reaches 850 g. Active development of fetal hearing continues. A good habit for moms is to regularly measure their blood pressure. Carpal tunnel syndrome may occur.

Fetal development

Your baby is diligently consolidating the achievements of previous weeks. For example, he tries to open his eyes. The muscles of the eyelids are already sufficiently developed for this. The fetus may blink and squint. The ability to open and close your eyes will be very useful after birth, especially in bright light. If the tiny eyelid muscles do not develop as they should, the baby will not be able to fully control them after birth. Drooping eyelids usually require surgery. So the new skill is very important for the fetus, although now it is in complete darkness.

All hearing organs have been developing in the fetus for a long time. These are not only the outer ears, but also the eardrums, and tiny bones, as well as ligaments. At first, the loudest sounds simply cause vibrations: the baby hears, but does not recognize what is happening. Later, after the development of the cerebral cortex, the fetus begins to distinguish sound vibrations.

There are no objective medical studies of fetal hearing. But observations show: you need to talk with the child even before birth. If mother, father and other relatives regularly talk out loud to the future baby, this will be of great benefit. Later, the newborn will hear many familiar sounds and respond positively to them.

And this is what your belly looks like 🙂

Gradually, the brain and motor activity of the fetus are synchronized. This means that some movements are a response to external stimuli, and not just reflex movements. The baby may become noticeably more animated if the mother is listening to music, talking loudly, or is scared of something.

At week 26, the strengthening of skeletal bones and the formation of subcutaneous fat cells continue. The rudiments of teeth inside the gums are almost completely mineralized. Neural connections increase and develop. Hair and nails grow barely noticeably. The hormonal background is gradually formed. The circumference of the head reaches approximately 20 cm. In boys, the process of lowering the testicles into the scrotum is underway.

How is the fetus positioned at this stage? For now, whatever. Now it’s too early to worry about the baby’s body position.

The volume of amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby is approximately 0.7 liters. The weight of the placenta is approximately 300 grams. The tiny heart beats 120-160 times every minute. The fetal heartbeat can usually be heard if you press your ear tightly against the mother's belly.

If premature birth occurs now, it will be very difficult for the newborn to adapt. To save his life, special medical equipment and the efforts of many doctors will be required. According to doctors, the risk of early labor is higher in the summer. The reason is dehydration of the woman’s body in the heat.

How's mom doing?

Six lunar months of your pregnancy have passed, the seventh is coming. The second trimester is ending. It is considered the calmest time when expecting a child. At the twenty-sixth week, the mother’s sensations already indicate the approach of the most difficult and responsible period.

Nowadays, many women feel that the child under their heart is constantly moving. This is easy to explain: the fetus has grown, it becomes crowded. The uterus has grown so much that some of the baby’s kicks are felt under the ribs. But there are also calm children, everything is individual.

Your body is still gaining weight. In some women, only the stomach grows, in others, the waist is completely lost and the hips increase in volume. Your breasts have probably already grown by 1-2 sizes, but they may fill out a little more. Normally, the total weight gain from the beginning of pregnancy can reach 9 kg. An increase in the size of the uterus often leads to shortness of breath during physical activity. Learn to walk in such a way that your breathing does not become interrupted.

Your tummy has grown so much that it does not allow you to bend over at all. This is especially noticeable during pregnancy with twins. This will probably make it very uncomfortable to put on your shoes. In warm weather, it is better to wear simple shoes or moccasins - they are easy to put on and take off. Wear boots, sneakers and other shoes with fasteners and laces only while sitting.

Photos of bellies (click to enlarge)

A mucus plug gradually forms in the cervix. It literally clogs the entrance to the uterine cavity and protects it from infections and other negative influences. The thickening of the mucus occurs completely unnoticed by the woman.

Vaginal discharge should still be moderate, without a distinct color or odor. Report any deviation to your doctor.

Possible troubles and complications

Get into the habit of regularly measuring your blood pressure and recording the results. In the early stages it is often low, and closer to the third trimester it can periodically increase. Blood pressure is an important indicator of a pregnant woman's well-being. If it constantly deviates from the norm, it can lead to serious complications. The most difficult ones are (preeclampsia), kidney disease (nephropathy), preeclampsia and eclampsia (syndromes that often threaten the lives of mother and baby).

Another unpleasant sensation is lower back pain. They may have various reasons. The simplest explanation is the growth of the uterus, its pressure on the nerve nodes, plus stretching of the internal ligaments. However, kidney problems also often manifest as pain in the lumbar region.

For minor discomfort there is a simple check. Take a warm bath, stay in it for a while in the most comfortable and relaxed position. If it feels better, you have so-called physiological pain, it is not dangerous. Nothing has changed - consult a doctor. This is especially important if discomfort occurs on any one side, the color of the urine has changed, or you already have kidney disease. Severe pain of any nature necessarily requires the help of doctors.

If you work a lot on the computer, play the piano, or do any other monotonous work with your hands, you may experience carpal tunnel syndrome. Often this is a consequence of constant swelling of the hands. Stagnant fluid in the connective tissues compresses the nerve fibers, causing pain in the hands or only in the wrists. This problem may accompany you until childbirth and is not completely resolved. However, you can relieve the discomfort. Try to shake and stretch your hands more often, even if they are not swollen or tired. When you sleep, try to position yourself so that your hands do not fall down. In this case, you can avoid fluid stagnation and improve blood circulation.

In some cases, pregnant women experience bile stagnation. If the problem is not resolved, gallstones may form in the gallbladder. The first warning sign is pain under the ribs on the right. The exact diagnosis and treatment methods are determined by the doctor.

When to go to the doctor

If there are no alarming symptoms, stick to the visiting calendar. Ultrasound at this time is prescribed for special indications. For example, if you missed the deadline for the examination. Most likely, before visiting a antenatal clinic, you will need to have your urine and blood tested. The doctor writes out directions in advance, during the previous visit.

Stick to a strict diet, try not to deviate from nutritional principles.
The best way to eat is in small portions. Never allow yourself to overeat, it overloads your body and one day will result in excess weight.
Drink enough fluids to avoid feeling thirsty.
Avoid any problems with bowel movements, especially constipation. To prevent hemorrhoids, regularly wash your anus with warm or cool water.
Wear the most comfortable underwear, clothes and shoes. You should not experience pressure, friction or other discomfort throughout the day.
If you don't already have a prenatal bandage, it's time to get one.
When age spots appear on your face, be patient and do not mask them with a layer of cosmetics. This is very harmful to your skin.
Try to prevent stretch marks. It is advisable to rub the skin of the chest, abdomen, thighs and buttocks several times a day with special products.
If you work or study, it's time to think about your upcoming maternity leave. For example, discuss with your employer the temporary transfer of your responsibilities.
If you have dilated veins in your legs, talk to your doctor about wearing compression tights or socks.
If there is slight swelling in your legs, regularly pour them with water of contrasting temperatures. Raise your legs higher when lying or sitting.
It is advisable not to sleep on your left side. Before going to bed, make yourself as comfortable as possible; a few small pillows will help you with this.
If cramps occur, rub the problem area until complete relief occurs. Because cramps are often caused by calcium and potassium deficiency, talk to your doctor about dietary adjustments.
Don't forget about walks and special sports for pregnant women.
Plan any task with plenty of time. You can't walk fast now. It is advisable to avoid public transport during rush hour.
Don't stay still for long. Change your body position and do small stretches whenever possible.
Record the time of training contractions. If they occur more than four times within an hour, there is a risk of premature birth.

It is very important to closely monitor your well-being. Don’t brush off problems, don’t be lazy about going to the doctors. Very soon you will need a lot of strength to carry and give birth to your baby.