At 26 weeks pregnant, you're nearing the end of your second trimester and your baby is growing rapidly. We'll give you an overview of what to expect during this exciting time in your pregnancy journey, including your baby's development inside your growing bump at 26 weeks pregnant, what symptoms you may be experiencing, and some things to consider before your little one is born. From back pain to Braxton Hicks and everything in between, we've got you covered.

Highlights at 26 Weeks Pregnant

Before we get into all the details, here are a few highlights to keep in mind at 26 weeks pregnant:

• At 26 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a courgette.

• Around this time, your little one’s eyes will start opening for the first time.

• Your baby may be moving around a lot this week and may even respond to noises outside of the uterus.

• Your body might start practising for labour during this period with Braxton Hicks contractions.

• Now might be a great time to create a baby name shortlist. For inspiration, try our fun Baby Name Generator below:

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Your Baby’s Development at 26 Weeks Pregnant

Here are some of your baby’s developments at 26 weeks pregnant:

• More of your little one’s reflexes are developing. At 26 weeks pregnant, you may notice that the little gymnast inside your bump is not only moving around a lot but also reacting to stimuli.

• You may be able to detect signs of this new kind of foetal movement for yourself. For example, you might start noticing some jumps and kicks in response to loud noises coming from outside your belly around 26 weeks pregnant.

• The eyelids will also open for the first time at some point in the weeks ahead, and your little one will start blinking. There’s still no way of knowing what colour your baby’s eyes will be once they’re born. In fact, they won’t take on their final hue until many weeks or months after the birth.

• There’s another reflex that you might be able to feel for yourself at around 26 weeks pregnant: If you experience a series of tiny jerky movements inside your bump, repeating at regular intervals, it might be that your little one’s got the hiccups.

• And that’s not all – your foetus is also sipping away at the amniotic fluid that surrounds him or her. In fact, by now, almost all of the liquid in your uterus has already passed through that brand new digestive system at least once.

• The thought of your little one swimming around in wee-wee might seem a bit odd at first, but it’s actually the most natural thing in the world. The action of swallowing amniotic fluid and then passing it out again is helping the digestive system and lungs to develop.

• Amniotic fluid plays a very important role. It protects your foetus from bumps and injuries and keeps their little body at just the right temperature.

When you're 26 weeks pregnant, you may want to start becoming familiar with your baby’s little movements inside your bump and pay attention to the frequency and whether they’ve slowed down. Your doctor or midwife can give you more advice on tracking foetal movements and answer any questions you may have.

How Many Months is 26 Weeks Pregnant?

The end of your second trimester is fast approaching! And you may be wondering what 26 weeks pregnant is in months. The weeks of pregnancy don’t fit neatly into months; but in a rough estimate, at 26 weeks pregnant you’re probably well into the second half of month six.

Your Baby’s Size at 26 Weeks Pregnant

Now that you’re 26 weeks pregnant, your foetus is about the size of a courgette (zucchini), measuring close to 35.6 centimetres crown to rump, and weighing in at around 760 grams.

Your Baby: What Does 26 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

All snuggled up and comfy, check out what your baby may look like this week:

Your Body at 26 Weeks Pregnant

Although it’s still a couple of weeks away, as you enter the third trimester your belly and breasts will continue to grow, and the energy boost you may have experienced in the second trimester may start to wear off.

The extra weight you’re carrying around could now be tiring you out, and you might also start feeling a little clumsy and uncoordinated now that you’re 26 weeks pregnant. This might be caused by the change in your centre of gravity as your bump grows.

You’ll want to make sure you’re dressing comfortably and wearing a well-fitting, supportive bra. You may also need to go up a size if your existing bras aren’t fitting so well anymore. A professional fitting is often the best way to ensure a great fit. You can get this done either at a specialist lingerie shop or some of the large high-street department stores.

Whether you decide to get help or choose the right bra yourself, here are some ways to check if your bra fits properly:

• Your breasts should fill the cups completely, without bulging out at the top, bottom or sides. There also shouldn’t be any loose or baggy material.

• The strap that goes around your back shouldn’t cut in.

• The back strap and the band running under your breasts should be flush with your body, and be at the same height at the front and back.

• Underwired bras are OK to wear if you prefer that style, as long as the wire is flat against your body and supports your breasts from underneath and at the sides. The wire should not dig into you or stick out.

• You may find maternity or soft-cup bras more comfortable at 26 weeks pregnant. An added advantage of these is that they’re designed specifically for mums-to-be like you, you can also wear them in bed for extra support while you’re sleeping, and they’re great for after birth if you’re breastfeeding or expressing milk.

Your Symptoms at 26 Weeks Pregnant

Here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing at 26 weeks pregnant:

• Pelvic pain. You could be experiencing pelvic pain at around 26 weeks pregnant, although it can strike at any time during your pregnancy. You might feel this as a pain in the area just above the pubic bone, between your hips, or perhaps on one or both sides of your lower back. It can also hurt in your perineum (the place between your vagina and anus). The pain can also spread to your thighs. Walking or using stairs can make it worse, and you might also feel a clicking or grinding sensation when you move your legs. Symptoms of pelvic pain at 26 weeks pregnant and onwards can be caused by a combination of factors, such as weight gain, a change in your posture as your growing bump changes your centre of gravity, and the softening of ligaments in your pelvis thanks to hormonal changes. It’s important to ask your doctor or midwife to look at what might be causing your pelvic pain and find out about your treatment options as soon as possible so you can manage any discomfort.

• Braxton Hicks contractions. At 26 weeks pregnant, you may already have felt your belly tightening from time to time. These ‘practice’ or Braxton Hicks contractions can occur any time during your pregnancy, although they are more common in the later stages. They may feel a little strange or uncomfortable, but shouldn’t be painful. Braxton Hicks contractions are perfectly normal, and they don’t mean you’re about to give birth – it’s just your uterus getting in some practice ahead of the real thing! Some symptoms not to ignore at 26 weeks pregnant or throughout your pregnancy include painful, regular or rhythmic contracts or tightening of the belly. If you experience any of those symptoms, call your midwife or maternity unit immediately as this could be a symptom of premature labour.

• Frequent urination. You may find that you’ve been peeing more often since getting pregnant. Your trips to the loo may start to become even more frequent at around 26 weeks pregnant as your little one grows and presses down harder onto your bladder. If it hurts when you pee, or if you see traces of blood in your urine, call your doctor as these can be symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are quite common, and happen when bacteria get into the body through the urethra. UTIs can lead to more serious bladder or kidney infections if left untreated. If you are diagnosed with this infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help clear it up.

At 26 weeks pregnant, are you wondering ‘What are the symptoms of a boy or a girl, and do they differ?’ If this is something you’ve been pondering, the answer is pretty straightforward: you can’t determine the sex of your baby through pregnancy symptoms. Every pregnancy (and the symptoms) can vary from person to person, regardless of whether you’re having a boy or a girl.

What Size Is a Pregnant Belly at 26 Weeks?

As you get closer to your third trimester at 26 weeks pregnant, your pregnancy bump may be more and more obvious – but remember, every pregnancy is different and not all bumps grow at the same rate.

Your baby is growing a lot during this period, and that means your uterus is expanding too. If you have an antenatal appointment this week, your doctor may check your baby’s growth by measuring the distance from the top of your uterus to the top of your pubic bone (also known as your fundal height).

What Does 26 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?

Here’s an insight into what your pregnancy bump may look like around 26 weeks pregnant:

Things to Consider at 26 Weeks Pregnant

From creating your birth plan to shortlisting your favourite baby names, there’s a lot to consider at 26 weeks pregnant, as your pregnancy nears the third trimester. Check out our helpful list below:

• Some parents-to-be enlist the help of a doula, to support them during labour and delivery, as well as after the birth. Keep in mind that doulas do not replace the role of those with medical training like doctors, nurses and midwives. Instead, a doula can offer emotional support, help you communicate effectively with hospital staff and even help get you started with breastfeeding if that is something you’d like to try. If having a doula is something that interests you, ask your midwife or your antenatal class instructor (or other parents-to-be) for recommendations.

• If you’re feeling hungrier than usual at around 26 weeks pregnant, keep your weight gain on track by avoiding fatty or sweet snacks between meals. Try to curb hunger pangs with healthy alternatives, such as wholegrain pitta bread with lean meat or oily fish, crunchy vegetables like carrot or celery, hummus, porridge or low-fat, sugar-free yoghurt. The possibilities are almost endless – here are some more pointers on how to enjoy a healthy diet while you’re pregnant.

• Now that you’re 26 weeks pregnant, this might be a good time to draw up a birth plan, if this is something you’d like to do. A birth plan could help you focus your mind on the options available to you for your labour and delivery, and might help you share your preferences with your midwife and birth partner in a clearer way. Not all pregnant people would like a birth plan, but, if you do, you can include things like where you’d like to give birth and what pain relief or other comfort measures you’d prefer. Your midwife can help you decide what to cover in your plan, depending on your own needs and situation. If you do create a plan, it’s important to still be flexible. Labour and childbirth are unpredictable, and the birth may not go exactly as intended, plus your preferences may change when the time comes. Once your plan is ready, print several copies for hospital staff and your birth partner (if you have one). Don’t forget to put a few copies in your hospital bag.

• As your bump grows, you and your partner may be wondering whether sex during pregnancy is safe around 26 weeks pregnant. It’s always safest to double-check with your doctor or midwife for advice based on your specific situation, but generally speaking, if your pregnancy is progressing normally and both you and your partner feel up for it, having sex while pregnant is generally considered safe. It can also still be enjoyable and comfortable for both of you – though you may need to experiment with different positions if your growing bump is getting in the way.

• Although some parents-to-be might be starting to narrow down their list of favourite baby names, if you’re still in the browsing phase check out our curated and thematic lists for some added inspiration:

  • Unisex baby names

  • Floral baby names

  • Cute baby names

  • Greek mythology baby names

  • Biblical baby names.

Questions for Your Doctor at 26 Weeks Pregnant

Here are some common questions to ask your doctor or midwife at around 26 weeks pregnant:

• What is cord blood banking? Is this something I should consider?

• How can I be sure I’m getting enough vitamin D in my diet? Are supplements a good idea?

• Is my weight gain on target at 26 weeks pregnant?

• How can I maintain a healthy weight throughout my pregnancy, while still getting all the nourishment me and my baby need?

• Do I need to monitor my own blood pressure during pregnancy? What should I do if it’s too high or low?

• What are some symptoms not to ignore at 26 weeks pregnant?

• Can i fly 26 weeks pregnant?

26 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

You can use our following to-do list for some extra help at 26 weeks pregnant:

• At 26 weeks pregnant it’s worth getting to know the signs of premature labour. Your little one will be considered a premature baby, or ‘preemie’, if they’re born at 26 weeks pregnant or any time before you’re 37 weeks along. Contact your doctor or midwife immediately if you go into labour at 26 weeks or any time before your pregnancy is full term, to ensure your preemie (or preemies if you’re pregnant with twins or triplets) get the best possible care once they’re born.

• Check whether you’re entitled to any benefits. Prescriptions and NHS dental treatment are free while you’re pregnant and until 12 months after your baby is due, but there are many other forms of assistance available depending on your circumstances. For example, you may be eligible to receive statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance. Your partner may also be entitled to paternity leave. Ask your midwife where to find information on what you might be able to claim, and how to go about it.

• If you’ve decided to have a birth plan, go over it with your midwife and ask for their input and advice.

• Enjoy a little ‘me time’ and take our fun baby arrival quiz to see just how prepared you are for your new arrival.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service (NHS). You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}