26weeks
pregnant

Highlights this week

Your baby's tastebuds have finished developing.

It's normal to experience hot flushes in pregnancy. Try these tips to keep cool.

Baby development at 26 weeks

If you could see your baby now, you might be able to get a glimpse of their eyes, which are beginning to open.

Your baby is able to respond to sound more as each week passes. At first, they'll only hear low-frequency sounds from inside your body, such as your heartbeat and your tummy rumbling. But gradually they'll be able to pick up higher pitched noises from outside your uterus (womb).

Read more about your baby's development this week.
See for yourself how your baby is growing in our 3D video.

baby now breathing small amounts of amniotic fluid

Your baby is breathing small amounts of amniotic fluid in and out
You've got an eavesdropper now – your baby can hear you talk
Those tiny, rhythmic twitches? That's your baby hiccuping

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Your baby weighs as much as a red cabbage

length

35.6

head to toe

weight

760

Pregnancy symptoms at 26 weeks

You're nearing the home stretch, the third trimester. Your third trimester starts when you've completed 27 weeks of pregnancy. Before you know it, you'll be holding your baby in your arms.

Around this time, you may see a slight increase in your blood pressure, which is normal. One condition your doctor or midwife will be vigilant about from now on is pre-eclampsia. High blood pressure is associated with pre-eclampsia. Your midwife or doctor may check for protein in your urine, another sign of pre-eclampsia, when you have a routine antenatal check.

In the unlikely event pre-eclampsia is not picked up, the symptoms include severe headaches, blurred vision and swollen hands and feet. So call your doctor or midwife immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Check out the other symptoms you should never ignore.

Now that you probably have a noticeable bump you will get lots of comments on whether it's too big or too small. Sometimes both on the same day! Find out whether it's normal to look more pregnant than you are and what it means if you're measuring small for dates. Check out photos of other women who are 25 to 27 weeks pregnant to see the variety of shapes and sizes.

Leg cramps may be more common now, especially at night
Your back may be aching now as your centre of gravity shifts

What you need to know

If you're making a birth plan, it makes sense to keep it flexible, because it's impossible to predict what will happen during labour and birth. Talk your plan through with your partner and ask your midwife and antenatal class teacher for their advice, too.
The best childcare is in high demand so if you've already got your return to work planned it's worth thinking now about which childcare will suit your needs best.
Are you a vegetarian? You can get all the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients you need from these recipes.