At 26 weeks pregnant, you're rounding the corner of the second trimester and you are almost to the third!

Your baby's beautiful eyes may open this week. And symptoms-wise, you may be struggling more than with pregnancy insomnia and clumsiness equally your tummy continues to abound.

Your Baby at Week 26

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At two pounds and 9 inches long, your little nestling is having an eye-opening calendar week. Until now, his fetal optics were nether wraps, quietly developing below fused eyelids. But at present information technology's time for the big reveal as his eensy optic orbs open … and blink. Of form, these newbie peepers are only learning to focus… plus, there's not much to come across in the murk of his cozy confines. Still, it'south a large milestone…and of import practice for the moment when your little ane's eyes and yours lock for the first time.

Wondering if y'all'll be looking into baby blues…or greens…or browns? Right now the irises are however pretty pale. Pigmentation comes in over the next few months — and fifty-fifty at nascence, middle color is frequently in transition. It may not be articulate if y'all've got a green-, bluish- or brown-eyed dear until he'south at least six months old.

Your infant's first blinks of an heart may be adorable, simply they're besides a very important developmental step. Blinking is a skill that'southward essential in the outside world because information technology lubricates the eyes and protects them from foreign objects — including your piffling i's own wayward fingers.

Looking a little lower on that adorable confront, nerves effectually that bow-shaped mouth and lips are getting a lot more sensitive at present, prepping baby for the all-important task of honing in on mom'southward nipple once he'southward born. Already, he'll endeavour to mouth any comes near those lips…including the umbilical cord.

And high inside that rima oris — above in the gums than those baby teeth buds that developed earlier — are the first inklings of permanent teeth. Right now they're merely tiny buds, and they've got a lot of hibernating to do before they're set up to poke out, only in six or so years they'll grow into pearly whites that'll terminal your little i his whole life.

In other development news, your maturing baby is better coordinated now — especially when it comes to his hands. He can easily brand a fist, suck his thumb, clasp his easily together, and even play with his toes. Can't look until you lot'll be able to play with his tiny digits yourself? Why not start some baby games now with some poking play? Try returning his pokes with your own gentle prodding through your belly. You lot'll both get a kick out of that.

At a Glance

Are you making eyes at me?

Your piffling ane is getting fix to woo you now that eyelashes are growing in. Soon yous'll become to meet your cutie bat those babies at y'all!

Ouch!

Teeny tiny fingernails accept arrived! Be forewarned: They can be jagged and sharp by the fourth dimension your infant arrives in your artillery.

Swallowing exercise

Your infant-to-exist continues to piece of work hard swallowing amniotic fluid this week. This act is instrumental to good for you lung development.

26 weeks pregnant is how many months?

If you're 26 weeks pregnant, you're in calendar month six of your pregnancy. Only 3 months left to get! Even so have questions? Here'southward some more than information on how weeks, months and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my babe at 26 weeks?

What's upwards with your baby's growth this week? She now weighs a full 2 pounds and measures 14-plus inches long.

Your baby volition soon be feeling a petty cramped in your uterus — but not to worry, at that place's still plenty of space in there to grow. It only means your tiny gymnast will accept less room for those somersaults, cartwheels and other Olympic feats.

Baby'southward optics open

Expect who's looking! It's your infant! Those little eyes — which take been closed for the by few months so that the retina, the role of the eye that allows images to come into focus, could develop — are beginning to open at 26 weeks pregnant.

That means your babe is able to see what's going on now, though unfortunately the view in your uterus isn't all that exciting.

But do attempt this at home for kicks: Polish a flashlight at your stomach. Your picayune peanut might kicking in response — as in: "Get that lite out of my eyes!"

Right now, the iris, which is the colored part of the middle, still doesn't have much pigmentation — that'll fill in over the side by side month or two — so it's too early on to offset guessing your little one's eye color.

And even the color your baby is born with might not be the permanent shade. You lot may be kept guessing until she's a year sometime, with the most dramatic changes occurring by nigh half dozen months.

Brain-wave activity kicks in

Expect what else is going on this calendar week: Your baby's encephalon-moving ridge activity is gearing up at this stage in fetal development, which means your little one can not only hear noises but tin can now also respond to them. Not in so many words, of course, simply with an increase in pulse rate or motility.

Your Trunk at Week 26

26 Weeks Pregnant

Protruding omphalus

At 26 weeks significant, you lot're two-thirds of the mode through your pregnancy and your uterus is about 2½inches above your umbilicus. And speaking of your navel, take you noticed that it's taken on a life of its own — a larger-than-life life?

A newly outie bellybutton may not be your thought of forrad fashion, especially when you take a omphalos piercing or when your in one case innie belly button now bulges through tight clothes, but it's de rigueur for the significant set. And it's easy to sympathise why.

Beginning somewhere around the middle to end of your 2d trimester, your enlarging uterus swells plenty to push your abdomen forwards, making your navel popular out like a timer on a well-done turkey — fifty-fifty though you have a way to go before your baby is "well done." Your navel should revert dorsum to its regular position a few months afterwards delivery — though it may have that stretched-out, "lived in" await.

While yous may need to accept out your omphalus piercing if it gets too tight, try to look on the bright side: Information technology gives you a take chances to clean out all the lint that's accumulated at that place since you lot were a kid.

Indisposition

If a full dark's rest has get elusive, welcome to the (sleepless) globe of pregnancy indisposition.

Between heartburn and leg cramps, bathroom runs and that big beach brawl — with its protruding navel! — beneath your nightie, it's no wonder your body's having trouble calming down and globe-trotting off.

Only there are lots of tactics to try that should help keep y'all in bed instead of pacing the flooring, including daytime do, a daily dose of fresh air and limiting fluids before you hit the hay.

Baby's movements in the womb

Feel like y'all're conveying the Karate Kid with all the boot going on? Your infant is actually practicing all kinds of movements that will eventually be used in life on the outside — including pedaling against your belly, a sort of pre-walking skill.

Every bit your baby's nervous system becomes more adult, fetal movements will get much more coordinated. And as she gets bigger and stronger, those movements will go much more powerful...and occasionally, even painful to y'all. If your baby lands a good one, that tiny left hook might injure — a lot.

Another play tricks she may try — stretching that leg out so far that the human foot becomes lodged between your ribs. Adjacent time y'all come nether attack, try irresolute positions or doing some stretches of your own. You lot can too gently push your baby back with your hand when your knee joint-jerker jerks a trivial likewise hard. You only might be able to send your little slugger back into the corner of the ring!

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 26

Bloating and gas

Your expanding uterus continues to put more and more than pressure on your stomach and intestines, resulting in the bloating you probably experience. Minimize the problem by eating several modest meals a day instead of three large ones so that you don't overload your digestive system. Read More than

Pregnancy brain

Has "pregnancy brain" caused you lot to forget some crucial meetings or bits of data lately? While this subtract in retentivity is temporary and totally normal, try writing fundamental things down in a trusty notepad or on your smartphone to assist you lot stay organized for the rest of your pregnancy. Read More

Clumsiness

Your loosened joints, shifted center of gravity and added weight are just a few of the factors that cause you lot to slip, trip and fall more often than usual. This clumsiness is temporary, but for now, be actress conscientious in the tub, shower and on other slippery surfaces. Read More

Migraines

Some women who accept a history of migraines take them more often when they're pregnant, while others have fewer of them. Only don't be surprised if yours flare up more these days. Since strong migraine medications are probably off-limits for now, consider holistic therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, meditation and yoga, which can likewise help reduce stress, a well-known migraine trigger. Read More

Blurred vision

If your eyes are feeling irritated, that's probably because pregnancy hormones decrease tear production, which leads to dry eyes. Use center drops to ease the discomfort and be sure to tell your practitioner if yous develop serious vision problems since this could be a sign of preeclampsia. Read More

Circular ligament pain

If the "growing pains" caused by your expanding uterus, technically called circular ligament pain, are feeling specially achy lately, go off your feet when you tin and go equally comfortable as possible. Also, recollect to shift positions slowly so equally non to beal the pain. Read More

Tips for You This Week

Offset your infant registry

Haven't done your babe registry yet? Now's a good time!

Registering and shopping for baby stuff tin can be a little overwhelming — simply it's a lot of fun too.

Consult baby product reviews and seasoned parents in your life before adding things at random. They tin can help bespeak y'all in the right direction (and steer y'all clear of things you actually don't demand).

Cook your meat well

When it comes to meat, fish or poultry, half-baked isn't baked enough for y'all. Pierce your cooked craven with a fork — if the juice comes out ruddy, it'south undercooked, and so put it back in the oven and let it heat upward till the fluid runs clear.

Cut through the thickest office of cooked meat and chops to make sure the middle is gray or brown with no rare spots.

And instead of searing fish and serving it rare or medium, bake, broil, grill or poach information technology until it's cooked through. Amend still, check the temperature with a quality meat thermometer.

Call up these "fully cooked" temps of some family favorites:

  • Whole craven and turkey: 165 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, chops and steaks: 145 degrees F
  • Chicken breasts: 165 degrees F
  • Ground chicken and turkey: 165 degrees F
  • Footing beef, veal, lamb and pork: 160 degrees F
  • Fish: 145 degrees F
  • Precooked ham: 140 degrees F

Say no to onetime-school cribs

Putting the plant nursery together is super exciting, only remember: condom first. The U.Southward. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets strict standards for both manufacturers and retailers. These requirements include stronger mattress supports and crib slats, extremely durable crib hardware and rigorous safety testing.

Besides, the CPSC put an cease to manufacturing and selling dangerous drop-side cribs. Then avoid buying that vintage (read: discontinued) drop-side crib — it poses a risk to your newborn.

Baby, permit's move!

You know that getting light to moderate exercise throughout pregnancy is good for you (assuming your doctor has given you the dark-green light). But in one case y'all start feeling baby kicking, you may find yourself with a little workout buddy every time yous go for a walk, practise some laps in the puddle or striking the gym.

Be aware that every babe in utero responds differently to Mom's exercise routine, however. Some may be lulled to slumber by the movement, while others might seem to beginning a workout of their ain — "Look, I can kickbox, besides!"

Talk to your practitioner about what intensity level is correct for you and your tiny fitness partner, and what kind of fetal movement you can expect during and after your exercise session.

Wash upward

Make clean up in the kitchen. That goes for your easily first and foremost, and also for your dish towels, countertops and sponges — everything that'due south even remotely a part of the nutrient-prep process, including the food itself.

Be extra vigilant about this when handling raw meats, eggs, poultry or fish — launder your hands with warm, soapy water before, during and afterwards yous bear on these foods, and be sure to clean the utensils, cutting board and towels you handled along the way.

Wash fruits and veggies thoroughly before eating them, even the ones you intend to peel. The one exception to the launder-before-using rule: Don't rinse raw meat or poultry. You won't be washing off the bacteria — merely cooking can eliminate that — but you volition be splashing the bacteria all over the sink and countertop.

Practice good posture

Between your burgeoning belly and your aching back, it isn't always easy to stand up…never listen stand up straight. But endeavor to resist the tendency to thrust your hips and breadbasket frontwards and throw your shoulders dorsum when y'all're walking, as that could exacerbate those pregnancy pains.

Instead, aim for a straight line between your shoulders and your hips when you're up and virtually — and to see what that feels like, back upwards against a wall. While yous're at it, do some standing pelvic tilts. Sit down smart past putting a pillow behind your lower back for back up.

Avoid raw eggs

When preparing eggs, cook until the whites have set firmly and the yolks accept begun to thicken. And never eat salad dressings, sauces or mousse-type desserts made with raw eggs unless you lot're using the pasteurized diverseness.

Also, resist the temptation to eat raw cookie dough or cake batter. As yummy every bit it is, it'due south a good thought to boot the habit fifty-fifty if yous're not pregnant!

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, writer ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Wait follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, bookish research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how nosotros proceed our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

  • What to Expect When Y'all're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
  • WhatToExpect.com, When Will Your Baby'south Eyes Alter Color?, June 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Crib Safety, August 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, The All-time Exercises for Pregnant Women, Oct 2019.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Salmonella During Pregnancy, October 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Why It'southward Not Safe to Eat Raw Flour When You're Pregnant, March 2021.
  • WhatToExpect.com, When Y'all'll Feel Your Baby Motion and Kick, June 2021.
  • American Higher of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy, Baronial 2020.
  • Mayo Clinic, Fetal Development: The 2nd Trimester, June 2020.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Fetal Development, June 2021.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women'southward Health, Stages of Pregnancy, April 2019.
  • American Academy of Pediatrics, Newborn Center Color, June 2020.
  • Zilch to Three, When Does the Fetus'south Brain Begin to Work?, 2021.
  • National Slumber Foundation, Pregnancy and Sleep, October 2020.
  • Stanford Children's Health, Headaches in Early Pregnancy, 2021.
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Migraine Headaches During Pregnancy, 2021.
  • Consumer Product Safe Committee, Safe to Sleep — Crib Information Center, 2021.
  • FoodSafety.gov, Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures Charts, April 2019.
  • FoodSafety.gov, Nutrient Safety by Type of Food, Apr 2019.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Four Steps (Make clean, Separate, Melt, Chill) to Nutrient Safety, August 2020.
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Exercise During Pregnancy, July 2019.

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