You’re 26 weeks pregnant!
At long last, it’s finally here — the very last week of your second trimester. Now that you’re 26 weeks pregnant, you’re almost in the home stretch, and you’ll meet your baby-to-be before you know it! But for now, they’re still growing in there (so is your bump) and a lot is going on in your body to make that happen.
This week, you might notice that you’re starting to get more and more uncomfortable, and there’s a very good chance that Braxton Hicks contractions have officially set in. Don’t worry — it’ll all be worth it in the end.
Pregnancy symptoms at 26 weeks
Your ultrasound
You probably aren’t getting an ultrasound this week, but if you did, you’d see a baby who spends most of their time sleeping — that’s the life! At this point, they’re continuing to grow, put on weight, and maybe even opening their eyes, and you might even notice that they’re interacting with you when you poke your tummy.
Your pregnant belly at 26 weeks
Now that you’ve reached week 26, you’ve probably got a pretty sizeable bump that looks super cute in maternity clothes! And your baby is becoming pretty solid, too. At this point, they’re about 14 inches long and weigh almost two pounds, if not more — that’s some impressive growth!
Pregnancy tips at 26 weeks
Have you pre-registered at the hospital you’re planning to give birth at yet? It’s a good time to start getting those wheels in motion if not — the third trimester will be a busy (and occasionally uncomfortable) time, so the more you can get done now, the better.
Some hospitals will allow you to register online, so do some digging and find out what you need to do. If you’re planning on taking any childbirth or newborn classes at the hospital, it’s also a good time to get those done. By checking things like this off your list, you’ll feel even more prepared to take on motherhood, and every little bit helps!
Your pregnancy checklist at 26 weeks
Here’s what you might want to work on this week:
- Book maternity photos and newborn photos, if you’re planning on taking them
- Work on assembling the nursery and decorating (so much fun!)
- Start researching what you want to put in your hospital bag, and place any online orders you might need to make
- Communicate with your baby — talk to them, sing to them, touch your belly. They might surprise you by responding!
What are you eating for you and your baby?
Week 26 is a great time to focus on making sure you’re getting enough selenium in your diet. Selenium helps regulate your immune system and your thyroid, and you should be aiming to get around 60 mcg a day. Selenium can be found in these foods:
- Tuna
- Brazil nuts
- Ham
- Mushrooms
- Bananas
- Oatmeal
When to call your doctor
While you should definitely call your OB-GYN anytime you feel something might be amiss, any unusual bleeding or cramping are both reasons to get a visit in ASAP, as well as experiencing symptoms like painful urination. And if that lightheadness you might be feeling leads to actual fainting or passing out, it’s important to call or stop into your emergency room, too.
Keep an eye out for any unusual swelling, since that could be a sign of preeclampsia, and it’s important to call your doctor if you have itchy palms or feet, which might mean that you’re experiencing cholestasis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and death compared to non-pregnant women. Furthermore, pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk of delivering a baby before 37 weeks (preterm birth) and other adverse ramifications.
Note: If you are visiting a medical professional during COVID, make sure to ask about the facility’s safety measures and confirm that they are following COVID protocols as indicated by the CDC.
