26 weeks pregnant

What to expect this week

What's happening in week 26

At 26 weeks your baby is starting to practice using their little lungs all ready for D day!

Your baby at 26 weeks

Your baby has grown a lot in the past few months, weighing around 2lbs, and is approximately 35.5cm long – can you believe how quickly time has gone?
If they were born early, they would now have a very good chance of survival with specialist care.
Your baby will start to practice making breathing movements at 26 weeks, breathing in the surrounding amniotic fluid, all ready for when they take their first gasps of air after delivery!

Their eyes will also start to open at 26 weeks, although their vision will still be underdeveloped but this will change over the coming weeks.

It’s possible with the increased brain activity your baby will respond to certain noises with increased activity or even increased pulse rate.

If you’re having a boy their testicles are beginning to descend into the Scrotum (a process that takes 2/3 months to complete).

You at 26 weeks pregnant

You are probably feeling your baby move in different ways now as the space in your tummy is getting more and more crowded! Those somersaults and twists and turns are more likely to be solid kicks, and you might frequently see a foot or elbow shape poking out!
You can probably anticipate the times when your baby is going to be active or quiet by now, but do flag up with your midwife or GP if you are concerned you have not felt your baby move for a while.
As your bump continues to grow, you might find yourself getting a bit hot and bothered, and your skin starting to itch or dry out – or it could go the other way entirely and give you a lovely crop of hormonal spots! Treat it gently, and don't use harsh chemical products to deal with any breakouts. Loose clothes, lots of cool drinks and keeping a cooling spray in your handbag should help you get through any hot flushes or sweaty periods!
If you have a special event coming up, make sure you dress-(your bump)-to-impress without breaking the budget.

What to think about in week 26

If you are keeping to a strict baby budget, then buying second-hand is a fab way to save loads of money – particularly as most baby equipment gets so little use. There are loads of places to find bargains too – eBay, Gumtree, NCT sales, car boot fairs, and even for free on sites like Freecycle, or from generous friends whose babies have outgrown their newborn equipment.
Do make sure you clean everything with an anti-bacterial cleanser though, and check that any equipment has the appropriate British safety standard labelling – and if you buy a pre-loved cot or Moses basket, always replace the mattress.