Our Pregnancy Support Forum is for women 35 years and older. This is where you can communicate with other women who share your interest in pregnancy and childbirth issues. This forum is not monitored by medical professionals.
Pregnancy Week by Week: Week 26...
Week 26
What Is Happening To Your Body
By now, you should have gained roughly 16 to 22 pounds.
Take this time to baby proof your home. Cover all electrical outlets, remove choking hazards and install smoke alarms and C02 detectors throughout your home. Remember, of course, that safety precautions will never be a substitute for careful parental supervision.
At this point, finding a comfortable position to sleep may be challenging. A full-size body pillow might help you get into a more comfortable position.
As your baby grows in size, you do as well. This leads to back pain, headaches, leg cramps and pressure in your pelvis. Exercise and stretching can help to relieve some of the discomfort.
What Is Happening To Your Baby
Your baby measures around 14 inches (35.6 cm) long from head to heel, or roughly the length of an English hothouse cucumber. At this point your baby weighs a little less than 2 pounds (907.2 grams).
Your baby’s eyes have completely formed and will open soon and her or she will begin to blink. Your baby will be able to distinguish between light and dark from inside your uterus.
Your baby’s oil and sweat glands are also functional. He or she can still respond to noise and has grown accustomed to the sounds of your heartbeat, digestion, and other bodily functions, as well as your voice. Your baby can even move in rhythm to music.
Your baby will also continue to gain body fat and develop its blood vessels. His or her veins are still visible through the skin right now, but the skin is quickly becoming opaque.
You should also have been able to hear your baby’s heartbeat at visits to your doctor. Your partner may even be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat by putting his or her head on your belly. Don’t worry if you hear a skipped beat. This is called an arrhythmia; it occurs often as the heart is developing.
What Is Happening This Week? 
Ultrasound images courtesy of GE Healthcare
The clinical images and information presented in this application represent normal fetal growth during a typical pregnancy. The images and information are to be used for educational purposes only and not for diagnostic purposes. Please consult a licensed physician regarding any specific questions pertaining to your pregnancy.
