What are the Changes in the Baby at Week 26?
In the 26th week of pregnancy, the baby senses their eyelids and begins to open and close them. The retina layer in the eye forms. Eye color begins to develop; however, the final color is established a few months after birth. Meanwhile, the baby continues to develop, a process that persists until birth.
To enable breathing during birth, the lungs produce surfactant. This prevents the walls of the air sacs (alveoli) from sticking together. As a result, the sacs fill with air with every breath. The baby’s movements are now felt quite clearly. As fat accumulates under the baby’s skin, the skin thickens. In the 26th week, babies respond to touch through the brain, demonstrating the functioning of mental mechanisms.
Every movement they make is intentional. This is the first week they can clearly hear their parents’ voices. They learn to startle at excessive noise and respond to sounds distinctly for the first time this week.
What is the Height and Weight of the Baby at 26 Weeks of Pregnancy?
By now, the baby’s height has reached 35 cm, and their weight is approximately 910 grams.
What are the Changes in the Expectant Mother at 26 Weeks of Pregnancy?
In the 26th week of pregnancy, swelling (edema) is observed because the body retains a lot of water. During the second trimester of pregnancy, your uterus grows by 1 cm. In case of constipation, consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods.
As the baby grows rapidly, the situation becomes more challenging for the mother. Pains now occur in the ribs and abdomen. From the 26th week onwards, you should rest plenty and find comfortable sleeping positions. You will begin to feel your uterus between your ribs and kidneys. As general pregnancy complaints, you will experience back pain, leg cramps, and a feeling of pressure in the lower body.
In the 26th week, sudden hardening may be felt in the abdomen. Contractions and relaxations occur in the uterus; this is a sort of preparation for birth. It is also necessary to be prepared for preterm labor during this period. If contractions occur more than four times within an hour, a doctor should be consulted. An excess of contractions is a harbinger of preterm birth.
