26 weeks pregnant • Pregnancy calendar •

By this week, your baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 9.2 inches. Remember, that is only from the top of his head to his bottom and does not include his leg measurements! Your baby weighs almost 2 pounds and is beginning to put on weight. Your uterus is about 2.5 inches above your bellybutton and you will continue to grow approximately 1 cm each week. If you have been eating a well-balanced diet, you probably have gained about 16-22 pounds so far. Because your baby has moved further up, you may get occasional pain underneath your ribs.

After a month of having his eyelids sealed shut, your baby begins to open his eyes again this week. Your baby's eyes are almost completely developed. Your baby's eyes are blue in the womb and may change colors later in life. This is true for all races because the pupils do not have their final color until a few months after birth. However, some babies are born with darker or lighter shades of blue. Your growing baby will continue to put on layers of fat until he is born. He is still lean at this point of the pregnancy though. By the time your baby is born, he will assume the typical newborn's plumpness. Your baby's skin will still be wrinkled and red, but the fat continues to fill the skin out.

Finger and toe nails continue to grow.

Blood vessels start to develop in the lungs to prepare the baby for life outside the uterus.

Your baby's blood circulation is completely functional. The umbilical cord system continues to grow and thicken as blood travels with considerable force through the body to nurture the baby. The placenta is now almost equal in size to the baby.

Even though it is still way too soon for your baby to be born yet, the chance of survival without severe abnormalities is now 70% provided it is born in a hospital.

Comments on week 26

Comments 1-49 of about 3674 from week 26
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lolasmummy - 1.8 hours ago
OK, please tell me if anyone else is going through this or if you know someone who has. At my 20 wk anat. scan they noticed that the kidneys were enlarged. So, I've been back for 2 more scans and as of the last one a few days ago, the kidney's were still dilated. The term is called hydronephrosis and apparently it is very common and often clears up on its own before the baby is born. My doctor has tried to reassure me that it is nothing serious, but the technician seemed quite concerned. Apparently it's the most common anomoly found in ultrasounds. has anyone else experienced this?

annie3 - 3 hours ago
thanks mommytobeof2 and megan!!

mizrach7 - 4.4 hours ago
augh- the picture of the 26 week baby is totally freak! can't anything be done?

jasmine1 - 8.9 hours ago
added belly && ultrasound pics finally!!

Megan - 9.1 hours ago
happy birthday annie

Megan - 9.1 hours ago
not sure who asked about the third trimester but i it starts at week 28... so we're almost there! yeah! i think the reason some places say 26 weeks is cuz of 26 weeks from conception not 26 weeks since your LMP. which this site basis your week off your due date which is based off your LMP. make sense? so 28 weeks LMP or 26wks from conception is the start of the third trimester.

mommytobeof2 - 9.5 hours ago
the third trimest starts at 26 weeks so we are just starting our 3rd woo hoo we are almost done and about ready to see our babies congrats to ev1

mommytobeof2 - 9.6 hours ago
annie3 happy birthday hopeit is a geat one for you.

annie3 - 10.8 hours ago
so its my birthday today and its just me my bump and my girls as my bf left yesterday! ah well, being with the girls and feeling the bump kicking makes the day special xxx

julie (baby number 5) - 12.7 hours ago
Hi ladies, don't you find pregnancy strange with your memory...I did the funniest thing yesterday that my partner will never ever let me forget! I don't blame him either as I thought it was hilairus!! I'd been to do my shopping, & taken my door keys by accident, not realising that I had locked my back door to get back in, I got to the back door & asked him to unlock it, he said I can't as it's locked, so for some really stupid reason, I asked my son to go to the upstairs window so I could throw the keys up to him so he could come down & open it for me!!! hahahaha I felt so stupid when my partner said `why don't you just open the door considering the keys are in your hand'!!! I laughed for hours at how stupid it was!

emilyandbaby - 12.8 hours ago
Englandgirl-I think the beginning of the third trimester is week 28. But not long...

Englandgirl - 14.4 hours ago
OK, I hope this makes you all giggle...I am sooo forgetfuul at the min and the other morning before work my husband woke me up and ran me a bath (I love being in water at the min), anyway I couldn't find a hair bobble so I tied my hair up using a pair of my knickers and had a lush bath. So I was sat at work taking the register (I teach in a primary school) when I pulled a pair of knickers out my hair!! I was mortified! Needless to say the children and staff all found it hilarious!! Ooops!! Also I poured orange juice on my husbands cereal instead of milk! I am totally losing my mind here!! Hope it doesn't get any worse!!

Englandgirl - 15 hours ago
ok, maybe I am being blonde but is week 26 the start of us being in our third trimester? If so yeahhhhh not long to go!!

sazauk - 15.1 hours ago
just sitting here at work doing paperwork and suddenly started feel out of breath for no reason at all. I'm sitting back at moment with my feet up tryin to breathe. Its really annoying been out of breath. I could understand it if i was doing something physical or strenuous but when i'm just sitting down doing paperwork its rediculous. As anyone else felt like this at all or should i be worrying?

bigmuma - 18.9 hours ago
JUST POSTED MY MASSIVE BELLY PIC ON MY PAGE. Drawn on tutu and all lol.

erinshay - 20.9 hours ago
So I was wondering about round ligament pains... I was getting up from the couch and got a sharp pain up my left side..horrible! I was hoping its just the ligament not something more serious? I've had other pains in hips and vagina but not like the one I just had! Anyone else had a pain like that?

bigmuma - 22.3 hours ago
Michee there are lots of labour signs to look out for. For example clearing the bowels more often than usual. An uncomfortable backache, not feeling the same as you usually do ( like feeling out of sorts) I would just be on guard towards the end so you dont miss any early signs. Ohh also the plug coming away when you go toily can also be a sign but sometimes that can take a week or so to fully come away. We will all be around to tell you if you having any labour signs if you keep us informed of your bodys goings on lol.

marie1j - 1 days ago
Hello week 26 another week down.

annie3 - 1 days ago
just posted my first ever blog. pity it wasn't about something happier but ah well

landons mommy!! - 1 days ago
you wanna read something rediculous?? read my lasted blog 'PISSSED' im so mad!!

landons mommy!! - 1 days ago
kelbust-they say that the older the baby gets (and bigger) the less room they have to summersault around. this may be why you arent feeling him/her so much. like your doc said, not to worry unless you stop feeling him completely. if you are very concerned, go to target and buy a doppler, that way you can hear the baby's heartbeat anytime of day. its very reassuring :O) they are only like twenty five dollars.

Megan - 1 days ago
as for labor contractions... it is true that you will know when you are in labor. i know it's a crappy thing for people to say cuz first timers just get frustrated by the response (as i did! lol) but it's true. like some others have said though... some people's pain wont start until they are farther along in the labor process. i was induced and i noticed the contractions within an hour but they werent too painful. however the second i had a real contraction i realized what had just been braxton hicks before lol. maybe it's just our bodies' first official way of showing that we have the maternal instinct?

SazaUK - 1 days ago
When my sister went into Labour she never noticed the contractions at first. It wasn't until her water broke that she started to feel any pain at all and by the time we got into the hospital she was almost fully dilated. Just glad that we lived close to the hospital at the time. I'm worried that the same will happen to me as my OH works a lot of hours and it would take him ages to get home from work. Don't want to end up having to give birth on my own at home. Not that I am trying to worry anybody or anything :-) I just worry too much about the labour. I'm sure that we'll all know when we are in labour we all know our own bodies after all.

kelbust - 1 days ago
hey ladies, i think i just need a little reassurance- my baby was kicking like crazy, making my stomach jump out, always moving around, etc. for almost 2 months. starting wednesday, he's still moving, but not even close to as much, his kicks are not making my stomach jump out like they were... i called the nurse and she said as long as i was still feeling him, it's fine, it's if i dont feel him at all that i need to worry, but i can't help but worry (and worry and worry)... is this happening to anyone else?

micheemoon - 1 days ago
I have not had contractions (I don't think). I remember having a miscarriage and I had excruciating back pain, I could barely walk. So now I keep wondering 'do you just know when you go into labour?' I asked a couple women to describe it to me and they said it feels like muscles pulling under your belly. Is this true? I have this hilarious image of me being in labour and not even knowing it. I am sure the anxiety partially stems from the fact that I am a 2 hour drive from the city hospital. I try not to think about it too much as it drives me crazy.

NicolePS - 1 days ago
If that is like nair I wouldn't use it.

angeliase - 1 days ago
hi, anyone has any idea if its safe to use immaac/veet shaving cream at this stage? i look like an ape with hair all over !!!!! any safe method for shaving?

NicolePS - 1 days ago
Hi Girls this is a fun site to go to :) http://makemebabies.com/ You just take a upload a pic of your self and a pic of your partner and they make them into your baby haha. You can also chose celebs You don't have to sign in you can chose skip

~amy~ - 1 days ago
thanks for the reassurance emilyandbaby! I just get worried because he seems SO comfortable sideways.. he's been that way for months now.. my uterus is even growing sidesways to accomodate him instead of growing up (which makes me measure further and further behind lol). I've just been stressing about the whole situation because I want everything to be 'normal'!

~amy~ - 1 days ago
pr3gojenn- They aren't going to let you take the 3 hour test? Normally if you fail the first one they make you take the three hour test. I would insist on taking it before commiting to a diet and finger pricking because you actually may not have GD.. many women fail the first test but clear the 3 hour test.

gladek - 2 days ago
Also, for the 3 hour test, you have to fast at least eight hours before. So by the time the test is done, you will have gone 11 hours w/out food! I have done it before, its not bad, but make sure you have access to food or snacks as soon as the last blood is drawn!

woobies-mom - 2 days ago
Ethansmommy-My midwife told me at the three hour glucose test you drink the sugary drink, wait one hour get your blood tested, wait another hour get your blood tested again, wait one more hour and get your blood tested again. So three blood tests, one every hour, for a total of a three hour exam. Apparently this is to moniter when your blood sugar goes up/down over a longer period. Hope that helps!

emilyandbaby - 2 days ago
Hi Amy, a few days ago my doctor said that it was much too soon to be worried about the position of the baby. She said she would be more concerned about it in another month. So for now the baby still has more room to change positions and it's not yet a problem to be breech or head down.

EthansMommy09 - 2 days ago
What do you do at the 3 hour glucose test? I know if you dont pass the first one you have to take the 3 hour one but why 3 hours?

pr3gojenn - 2 days ago
so i failed the 1st glucose testing and they put me on a sugar monitor and diary. i had to go see a diatician, crazy didn't even have me do the 3 hour test. anyway now i have to prick my finger 4 times a day and watch what I eat. I have only gained 12 lbs so far but i guess they are just concerned. did this happen to any of you?

Heather annie - 2 days ago
I am starting to feel tired again too (like I did in the beginning) I wish I could take naps

mrsdenney - 2 days ago
so after my shot yesterday- when i finally got normal feeling back in my arm my son decided it was party time in mommy's belly. he was rolling around and kicking the crap out of me. it always makes me feel good. we call my steriod shots the baby beef. im off to 27 weeks tomorrow or later tonight im not sure when. contractions are still pretty much the same.

~amy~ - 2 days ago
Last night Joel moved positions.. finally :) he was up/down for the first time ever. This morning I wake up and he's right back to side/side lol any suggestions on what I might be able to do to coax him into the right position and stay there? I ask this because I've seen what my mid-wife does during labor with a breech baby and I so DON"T want to go through that!

AquaPeach - 3 days ago
Woot woot! Week 26, and it's a long weekend in Canada due to Thanksgiving. As much as I want to just stay home and relax, I was invited to two turkey dinners and couldn't say no to either, so it will be a busy weekend. My doctor always performs the glucose test. I'll be getting that next month.

SazaUK - 3 days ago
Landons I know how you feel I am finding myself tired a lot as well. Feel like I could sleep the whole day through. Anything I do I have to do in short bursts and then rest for a bit because it makes me really short of breath and tired. Its really annoying when I just want to clean the house or go to work and I'm constantly yawning.

emilyandbaby - 3 days ago
Had my dr appointment yesterday. She said she would only do a glucose test if I had immediate family with diabetes or any symptoms. I have neither so she doesn't think I need one. Fine by me! However, she called me a few hours after my appointment to say that the urine test showed I had a slight infection and some extra protein in my urine so I went back in today and so that they could take a urine culture to see what's up. I was not impressed because I only had half an hour to duck out of work and they gave me the wrong cup to pee in so I had to wait until I could pee again into the right cup and I was late getting back. I won't find out for a week the results of the culture but as I feel normal, I assume all is going to be okay with little Mara Jade. As for weight gain, I lost 2 kilos in the first trimester so I'm up 3 from my starting weight or 5 since June.

~amy~ - 3 days ago
oh and by the way.. bleach and water mixture sprayed on ants makes them go away :)

~amy~ - 3 days ago
I've seen several different weeks for the trimesters so I just picked the one in the book I was reading :) the 'higher-ups' really should just decide on one and set it so I won't be so confused! Anyways.. anyone elses wedding rings not fitting anymore? I have a ring with a wrap and I can't get the wrap on anymore so I'm just wearing my engagement ring around.. seem really weird not wearing the whole thing!

sweetnika83 - 3 days ago
I'm so excited another week down...I go into week 27 tomorrow!! Can't wait till January! Is it possible to pick the date to have your labor induced? If anyone knows please fill me in! Thanks!

mum444 - 3 days ago
do i really have to do the glucose test? i have serious and i mean SERIOUS issues with needles... will i be putting my baby at risk if i refuse to have it done?

landons mommy!! - 3 days ago
anyone else noticing themselves getting really tired now? i constantly need to take naps and i get tired , i mean like really exausted doing the smallest tasks... ugh

JMCKENZIE - 3 days ago
LiNdSeYrObErTs, I have only gained 4 lbs! I am worried but my Doc is not.

bigmuma - 3 days ago
MrsNews i hope all is ok. I know that if our heart rate rises for a while, after it goes back to normal thats when bubs goes up for a bit so maybe you were having a bit of a heart rise before your apnt?? Hope thats all it is. Or maybe just an excitable buba. xx

summababy - 3 days ago
ethansmommy - when my midwife meausred me the first time she sad that the measurements should be the same as you week give and take 2. I also realised this as when I went for my middwife appointment at my 23 weeks visit I visit at 23 weeks and 4 days and it actualle mesures 23.4 cm.

sazauk - 3 days ago
i had a really strange thing happen the other night. I woke up and heard a baby crying and suddenly jumped out of bed. It was then i realised that i hadn't had him yet. Felt really strange thing to do.

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Members in week 26:

AfricaMama - 12 Jan 2009
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The due date from members in week 26 is from Monday 12 January 2009 up to & including Sunday 18 January 2009. See the full timeline here

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