Pregnancy Week 26: End Of The Second Trimester 

As you near the end of the second trimester of pregnancy, your belly size will increase and you will feel a little more discomfort during this week and those to come.

As your belly size increases week by week, your baby’s movements will increase. There are just a few weeks left for the big moment of arrival.

What are the physical changes that occur in your body during week 26?

Congratulations! You’ve covered two-thirds of your pregnancy and are into the exciting bit.  Throughout pregnancy, you will produce higher levels of progesterone, which relaxes the muscle tissue throughout your body along with the G.I. tract (gastrointestinal tract).

These increased hormone levels slow down the digestion process considerably. Don’t get over-concerned though; there are various natural remedies to help you reduce constipation. Consume a diet rich in fiber and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, whole grains or oatmeal.

By this week, the uterus will be about 2½ inches above the belly button. It is very common for you to experience a sudden tightening and relaxing of the uterus.

Don’t panic, this is completely normal and is known as Braxton Hicks contractions. Usually these contractions are painless and occur at irregular intervals. They are the body’s way of preparing for the upcoming event and aid in toning the uterus for the difficult job of labor.

Remember also that being physically active is very important during this period of pregnancy. Set aside some time for walking or swimming. Increasing general activity levels often improves the bowel movement without requiring a suppository.

Most women also experience jittery and restless legs during the second half of pregnancy. This is a very common state known as restless leg syndrome. In order to overcome from this condition, cut down caffeine from your diet, slowly stretch your calf muscles, and undergo deep muscle massages.

As your size increases, you will experience various discomforts such as pressure in the pelvis, back pain, headaches and leg cramps more frequently. During this period, pregnancy high blood pressure is also a common condition, so you need to take extra care in overcoming these conditions.

From this stage onwards, you need to consume 300 extra calories daily for proper development of your baby.

What are the changes that occur in the fetus during pregnancy week 26?

• By this week, your baby is about the size of 14 inches from head to toe and weighs 1 pound 12 ounces to 2 pounds 3 ounces.
• Your baby will be very active between 24-28 weeks.
• By this week, your little one’s eyelids are separated and the baby will have his/her first moments of sight.
• Your baby will be able to move his head back and forward.
• Your baby’s head hair will start to grow.
• This week, air sacs will be developed in your baby’s lungs. Your baby will start to secrete surfactant, the substance that keeps lung tissues from sticking to itself. This substance allows the lungs to expand normally during breathing.
• The baby’s skin will turn from the earlier transparent form to opaque.
• Your baby will respond well to loud, startling sounds.
• Your baby continues to collect fat beneath his loose skin.
• Major body parts such as brain tissues and organs start to develop very rapidly. Brain activity levels continue to increase and they function at accelerated levels for the first 7-8 years of childhood.

Fact for pregnancy week 26:

Don’t try to go on vacation before the arrival of your baby. Air travel is also not recommended after the seventh month, as there is a chance you may go into labor. So, before planning air travel, consult your practitioner.

If you need to travel during the third trimester of your pregnancy, you will need to take some precautionary measures. They include:

• Consume small and frequent meals that have less fat content. Motion sickness is the most common problem during pregnancy.
• Before boarding, it is better to go to the bathroom.
• Fasten your seat belt below the belly.
• Drink more and more fluids because air travel causes dehydration, which again cause contractions.