26th Week of Pregnancy: Changes, Symptoms, Food & Care

You are on your 26^th month of Pregnancy and guess what? You are just 3 months away from the D- day! You are just a few more days away from entering the third trimester. A lot has been going on in your body for the past few weeks, and just hold on for a few more weeks and all the pain that you are going through right now will be fruitful.

Table of Contents

26th Week of Pregnancy: Changes, Symptoms, Food & Care

You should always be mentally and physically prepared to face all the sudden changes during your pregnancy.

What can you expect this week?

Increased feelings of tiredness and fatigue.
Leg cramps will become more intense.
The movements of your little champ will intensify.
You can feel sharp pains in your pelvic region, and if this is severe, make sure you are consulting your doctor.

Changes in your body

You are almost there. You have already traveled 2/3^rd of this memorable journey. Your uterus is now around 2 ½ inches above the naval. You’ll notice that your belly button is larger than usual and protruding out. This is natural as your ever-growing uterus is pushing the abdomen forward. Your naval will be soon in its normal size and position after a few months post-delivery. The growing of the belly button can be spotted from the 14th to 15th Week of Pregnancy.

The stretch marks that had started to appear from the 20^th week on your belly, thighs, and breasts are much more prominent now. You can’t help stretch marks; the best you can do is to keep your skin moisturized and prevent it from itching.

Your baby’s developments

Your baby is more or less 9 inches long and weighs around 2 pounds.
The lungs are developing and starting to produce surfactant, which helps the lungs to inflate properly every time we breathe.
The baby is starting to suck and swallow and developing those reflexes pretty well. You might as well see your little one sucking on his/her thumb during the ultrasound.
The baby’s skin is a bit reddish now. His/her hair is growing and even the eyelashes have started to appear.
His/her fingernails have started to appear.
Your baby’s eyes are shut but soon they will open and he/she will start to blink.
If your baby is a boy then his testicles are finally starting to go towards his scrotum.

Twin development

You have probably tried all the Foods to Conceive Twins before conceiving to be blessed with twins, hopefully. If you are pregnant with twins, they’ll be 9 inches long and weigh around 2 pounds each very soon. Their ears are developing and they are starting to hear, so you can try reading and singing to them!

Symptoms

Sharp pain in the pelvic area

During this week, the ligaments in your pelvic area are starting to loosen and become flexible to adapt to the situation during labor and delivery. The constant contraction and relaxation of the ligaments can result in sharp dull pain in the pelvic area and lower back.

Be very careful while walking downstairs; do not stand or sit in the same position for a long period. Consult your doctor if you experience unbearable pain and also do your prenatal exercises to alleviate the pain.

Pregnancy Brain

Do not be scared if you start forgetting small and crucial things. Your pregnancy hormones are the culprit. A decrease in memory during pregnancy is normal. To cope with ‘pregnancy brain’ try writing down your important meetings and important things like your next prenatal visit or ultrasound date on a notepad or your smartphone. This will help you stay organized for the remaining three months.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Quite a few pregnant women will be experiencing certain contractions during this trimester. Braxton Hicks contractions are more like a sudden tightness in the abdomen, and, yes, it is painful. The ideal time to experience these contractions is later during the day, especially at night. Do not compromise on your water intake and keep yourself hydrated always to ease the pain and reduce the sudden practice contractions.

Migraines

Women who are diagnosed with migraines are subjected to acute migraines during this period and those women who don’t have a history of migraines will have them fewer. Taking medicines for your migraine is not a good option now. Instead, you can try massage, meditation, acupuncture, and yoga to reduce your stress.

Poor vision

Pregnancy hormones dry up the tears and that can make your eyes dry and very uncomfortable. Use a medicated eye drop to keep your eyes hydrated. But, if your vision is blurry even though you don’t have power, talk with your practitioner immediately as it might be a sign of preeclampsia.

Anxiety

It is normal to feel a bit anxious and stressed out because now your mind is racing with thoughts of how you will be dealing with your life change as the D-day is nearing. You might feel more anxious if you have had a history of depression. Talk with your therapist and with your partner, if you feel too stressed. Doing regular exercises can also help release some stress.

Clumsiness

Your uterus is growing with each passing week and so your center of gravity changing too. You might find trouble in balancing and if you are not conscious while walking and standing, you might just trip and fall and hurt your abdomen.

You might get frustrated seeing how much clumsy you have become, but, relax lady! This is temporary. Take extra care and precautions while taking a shower and walking on slippery surfaces.

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections are common during pregnancy with the pressure your bladder has been receiving from the uterus. It can cause the urethra to get blocked and cause trouble urinating. If UTIs are left untreated, it can become a serious issue and lead to complications and can cause fever or a burning sensation while urinating. Consult a doctor if you feel uncomfortable.

Gestational diabetes

You will be spending more time in your washroom more than you will spend in the kitchen or bedroom. But, if you feel thirsty despite maintaining a healthy liquid diet and you are visiting the washroom more than usual, it might be a sign of gestational diabetes.

It doesn’t mean you have diabetes but it can lead to some pregnancy complications such as large birth weight babies and a possible risk of cesarean delivery. If diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you will have to keep a check on blood sugar levels regularly. Talk with your dietitian and fix up a diet with limited sugar and carbs intake.

Tips for a healthy pregnancy this week

Have well-cooked meat: Your baby needs proteins for sure but having undercooked or raw meat can be a problem. And with your olfactory receptors being aware always, the slightest smell of raw meat can make you nauseatic. If you see that after piercing the chicken, a red juice is coming out, it means that it is undercooked. Have baked, grilled, or poached fishes instead of having them medium-rare.

No raw eggs: do not have raw eggs. It is preferred to have organic eggs during pregnancy. Keep your eggs refrigerated and do not have eggs that are cracked. Cook your egg thoroughly till the white and the yolk hardens. Do not have eggs raw especially in salad dressings or mousse.

Good posture: sit straight and do not slouch while standing or walking. No need to push your hips and stomach while walking; yes, everyone can see you are pregnant! If you face difficulty while sitting, put a pillow behind your back before sitting.

Talk to your baby: Your baby can hear you! So, capitalize on this opportunity. Have a date night with your belly once in a while and read bedtime stories to your little one. Reading to your baby in the womb will let you relax and enjoy the remaining special time till he/she sees the first light of the world.

Proper sanitation: Keep your house especially your kitchen and the utensils well sanitized. Most importantly, wash your hands with warm water and a mild soap properly before and after eating. Wash your vegetables and fruits properly before consuming them. You don’t want to have an infection now.

Emergency cases to call the doctor

Unbearable abdominal pain
Vaginal bleeding
Fever
Difficulty in seeing or blurry vision
Too frequent urination
Sudden facial swelling
Difficulty in swallowing

Takeaway

It is indeed a very exciting week for both you and your baby! Your baby is going through remarkable developments and you are just 3 months away from the big day! There are no such serious dangers now but look out for gestational diabetes and consult the doctor immediately if you see the symptoms.

Don’t stress much thinking about what is going to come up next week or how your life is going to change soon. Live now and cherish all the good moments.

Here are Some FAQs for 26th Week of Pregnancy

Can I travel during pregnancy?

You can travel via air if you don’t have any complications in your pregnancy. Always remember to wear compression stockings to minimize the risk of blood clots. You can travel during your pregnancy until the 37^th week, but you have to travel safely.

What to do if I have caught a cold?

Drink warm tea, gargle with warm salt water, and use medicated lozenges to ease the throat. You can also use a humidifier to ease your congestion. If you see that the cold is becoming unbearable and also causing difficulty in breathing, call the doctor immediately.

Is it normal to get hemorrhoids during pregnancy?

The more you near to your date, the chances of getting hemorrhoids tend to increase. This is normal during the last phase of pregnancy. Keep yourself well hydrated and eat fibrous food to counter constipation, as constipation can make it worse. Taking a warm water bath can be soothing.

In what position is my baby now?

Your baby has his/her to one of your sides and the bottom across your abdomen at your other side. This position is also called the ‘traverse lie’.

How can I keep a check on my frequent urination?

Your uterus is growing and in turn, putting pressure on the bladder. This will increase your visits to the bathroom. Though you can’t compromise on your daily water intake, it’s better if you avoid drinking water before going to bed.

Is it preferable to sleep on my back during pregnancy?

You should try and sleep on your side in your second half of pregnancy. Sleeping on your back can cause the weight of the uterus to compress the vena cava. The vena cava is the main vein that carries blood from the lower body region back to the heart.