In week 26 of pregnancy, your baby is fully focused on practicing. It is training its breathing so that its lungs can take their first breath in a few months. At the same time, your baby is also practicing using its muscles and relying on its reflexes. You will certainly notice now that your belly is growing faster than before.
In our pregnancy calendar, we summarize everything worth knowing about week 26 for you. You will learn how your baby is developing this week. At the same time, we show you how your baby's weight and size change in week 26. We also summarize your physical changes and symptoms. In doing so, we introduce you to the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep , which functions as a modern sleep aid for your baby.
Development of your baby in the 26th week of your pregnancy
In the 26th week of your pregnancy, your baby will be training a lot. If you feel particularly many and intense fetal movements now, that is completely normal: your baby is training its muscles and its reflexes.
At the same time, your baby is also reaching for your umbilical cord and pulling on it. It is currently practicing its sucking reflex on its thumb. Your doctor could theoretically now also see on the ultrasound how your baby is doing gymnastics or sucking on its thumb.
This week, your baby will also be training its breathing. The nostrils are now open and your baby is training its muscles for breathing and also its lungs.
However, your baby cannot yet take a proper breath in your belly, as there is no oxygen in the uterus. Until birth, your baby is supplied with oxygen via the placenta and the umbilical cord.
Size and weight in pregnancy week 26
Your baby is not only further developing its breathing and its reflexes: it is also currently undergoing a growth spurt. You will certainly notice this in your waist circumference and your own weight. Your baby measures 33 to 36 centimeters in the 26th week of your pregnancy. By now, it is as big as a zucchini or a spaghetti squash.
Due to the growth, it is also putting on a lot of weight. Babies in week 26 weigh an average of 750 to 900 grams. So it won't be long before your baby reaches a new milestone with a weight of 1 kilogram.
There are still many weeks left until birth: you probably already feel the need to finish the nursery and buy all the necessary furniture for your baby. Feel free to take a look at the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep. Your baby lies comfortably in a hammock and is gently rocked to sleep with light movements.
The body of the expectant mom in the 26th week of pregnancy
As in previous weeks, your body will also change in week 26. As your pregnancy progresses, the strain on your body increases.
First, you will likely notice this week that the growth of your belly is progressing faster than in the past. Your belly will also grow faster in the coming weeks and months. As a result, you will soon look really pregnant and may even feel restricted by your belly.
At the same time, many women develop a hollow back around the 26th week of pregnancy. This is not a problem at first, but can lead to back pain in the long run. Therefore, it is advisable to strengthen your back with targeted exercises to minimize back pain.
In addition, it may well be that you are sick more often during your pregnancy than before. Your immune system is weakened because your body is working at full speed to provide for you and your baby. Therefore, make sure to always dress warmly enough and avoid contact with people who currently have a cold if possible.
Practice contractions & stretch marks on the belly: symptoms in week 26
Your little belly dweller is cheerfully practicing its breathing and the use of its reflexes this week. Meanwhile, new symptoms may become noticeable for you or existing complaints may increase. We summarize for you what might be bothering you in week 26:
Fatigue:
It is quite possible that you feel exhausted and tired during this phase of your pregnancy. Your baby is currently growing particularly strongly, which also affects your well-being. Therefore, take enough breaks and take it slower in everyday life.
Stretch marks:
The connective tissue of your skin is heavily strained during pregnancy. Due to the expansion of the skin, it can tear and stretch marks occur. You can prevent these with creams and oils. However, avoiding them completely is often difficult.
Digestive issues:
During your pregnancy, you will likely suffer from various digestive issues from time to time. Your uterus is already exerting some pressure on your gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Heartburn:
You may also already know heartburn from your pregnancy. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes your muscles. This allows stomach acid to rise more easily into your esophagus and cause heartburn.
Practice contractions:
Practice contractions are not unusual in week 26. Your belly becomes hard for a short time. Your uterus is practicing its contractions for the upcoming birth.
Since every pregnancy is different, you may only feel some of these symptoms. If your complaints intensify significantly or give you a bad feeling, then you should not hesitate to contact your doctor or midwife.
If you feel well so far, then you are certainly spending your time getting everything for your baby. Have you already found a cradle? The automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep is an innovative sleep aid. The silent hammock motor adjusts its movements to your baby's needs and gently rocks it to sleep. You can control the motor via app and also receive push notifications through it.
Important questions for your midwife & your gynecologist in week 26
In week 26, your body changes and your pregnancy progresses further: for many women, this is associated with numerous questions. An important point is, for example, taking medication. Because these no longer only reach your body, but are also passed on to your baby. Before you take any medication during pregnancy, you should definitely ask your doctor if it is safe for you and your baby.
If you feel sick, exhausted, or simply not quite fit, you should also not hesitate to contact your doctor. Infections and illnesses during pregnancy can become a great burden and also endanger your child. The earlier they are recognized, the faster they can be treated.
In general, you should of course also pay attention to your diet during pregnancy. It may well be that you have problems with your blood sugar level every now and then. This can drop rapidly and lead to dizziness. Therefore, always take a small snack with you when you are on the go. If the complaints become too strong, then you should contact your doctor and have the problem clarified.
Automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep: Rocks your baby to sleep with gentle movements
All parents want their baby to be able to sleep peacefully and restfully. In reality, however, many babies have problems falling asleep. Staying asleep is also often difficult. What can help you in these situations is the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep.
You place your baby in the hammock: there it lies closely embraced as if in the womb. The hammock gives your baby a feeling of security and safety. If you turn on the motor, your baby is rocked to sleep in gentle up and down movements.
The motor adjusts the intensity to your baby's needs. It is equipped with sensors for this: if these register that your baby is about to wake up, the motor rocks your baby back to sleep. This ensures more relaxation for babies and parents.
