26 weeks pregnant
At 26 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a lettuce: around 35.6 cm head to heel and 760 g. The eyes are beginning to open.
Your baby at 26 weeks
The eyes are beginning to open.
| Size | About the size of a lettuce |
|---|---|
| Length | 35.6 cm head to heel |
| Weight | 760 g |
Your baby's eyes are beginning to open, and your baby may react to bright light shining on your tummy. Brainwave activity for hearing and vision is increasing. The lungs are still developing, and your baby is practising breathing movements, taking in amniotic fluid. Fingernails have reached the fingertips.
How far along are you at 26 weeks?
At 26 weeks pregnant you are in the sixth month of your pregnancy and the second trimester. You have about 14 weeks to go until your due date. Doctors count pregnancy from the first day of your last period, not from conception, so at 26 weeks your baby has been growing for about 24 weeks. Not sure of your dates? Use our due date calculator.
Your body at 26 weeks
Leg cramps and heartburn are common. A glucose test for gestational diabetes is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks.
Common symptoms at 26 weeks
Every pregnancy is different, and you may have some, all or none of these.
- Trouble sleeping. Getting comfortable is harder.
- Rib pain. Your womb is pushing up and your baby may kick your ribs.
- Headaches. Rest and drink. Severe headaches need checking.
- Braxton Hicks. Your womb is practising for labour.
- Swelling. Mild swelling of feet and ankles is common.
- Forgetfulness. Lists and reminders are your friend.
Your checklist for week 26
- Finish your glucose test if it is still due.
- Ask whether you will have blood tests at 28 weeks for anaemia and antibodies.
- If your blood group is Rhesus negative, ask about anti-D injections, usually offered around 28 weeks.
- Book a hospital tour if your hospital offers one.
- Start your antenatal class if it begins around now.
Tip of the week: Watch out for anaemia
Anaemia (low iron) is very common in pregnancy, especially among women in South Asia and the Gulf. Signs include tiredness, looking pale, breathlessness and a racing heart. If your doctor prescribes iron tablets, take them with orange juice or water, not tea, milk or chai, which reduce absorption. Constipation is a common side effect, so mention it if it happens.
For your partner
Leg cramps and heartburn can ruin sleep.
- Rub her calves when cramps hit
- Keep antacids her doctor approved at home
- Look into paternity leave
When to call your doctor at 26 weeks
Contact your doctor, midwife or maternity unit the same day if you have:
- Feeling breathless at rest, a racing heart or chest pain.
- Your baby is moving less than usual, or any bleeding.
Call your doctor or hospital straight away for bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, severe headache or vision changes, or fewer baby movements.
Questions about 26 weeks pregnant
Is it safe to sleep on my back at 26 weeks?
Before 28 weeks it is fine to sleep in any comfortable position, though lying flat on your back may make you feel dizzy. From 28 weeks, research shows that going to sleep on your side is safer for your baby. Start practising now.
What is anti-D?
If your blood group is Rhesus (Rh) negative and your baby is Rh positive, your body can make antibodies against your baby's blood. Anti-D injections, usually given around 28 weeks and after the birth, prevent this. They are also given after any bleeding or bump to the tummy.
Why do my ribs hurt?
As your womb grows, it pushes your ribs outwards and your baby may kick or push against them. Sitting up straight, stretching your arms above your head and changing position can relieve it. Severe pain just below the ribs on the right can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, so get it checked.