-End of the Second Trimester
As you near the end of the second trimester of pregnancy i.e. when you are 26 weeks pregnant, 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 in pregnancy week by week, your baby’s movements will increase too. There are just a few weeks left for the big moment of his or her arrival.
Most mothers are already aware of the main principles of Lamaze and if you have not joined a prenatal course so far, this is something you should do in pregnancy week 26.
If you feel the need to inquire other women about their pregnancy experience, this is something natural; so make the most of the experience of joining the online community of mothers-to-be.
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 especially now at least, when you are 26 weeks pregnant.
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 when you are in week 26 pregnancy. Set aside some time for walking or swimming. Increasing general activity levels often improves the bowel movement without requiring a suppository.
The back pains tend to increase during this week and this is because your hormones soften your ligaments preparing you for birth.
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 this condition, cut down caffeine from your diet, slowly stretch your calf muscles, and undergo deep muscle massages.
As your size increases after the 26th week of pregnancy, you will experience various discomforts such as pressure in the pelvis, back pain, headaches and leg cramps more frequently. During this period, high blood pressure is also a common condition; so you need to take extra care in overcoming these conditions.
From this week onwards, you need to consume 300 extra calories daily for proper development of your baby.
Your doctor will most likely perform a blood test to identify if you suffer from anemia. Since you are bigger every day, you should be very careful with your feet, avoid staying in the sun or in the cold and monitor your vaginal secretion.
Avoid fatty foods for they will increase the stomach discomfort. Make sure you do not put pressure on your spine and you maintain a correct posture.
You can start making a delivery plan. Think about who you want to be in the delivery room, whether or not you would like your delivery to be recorded by a camera, what you would like you partner to do during the delivery, etc.
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.
When you are 26 weeks pregnant, it is a bit late to go on vacation before the arrival of your baby. Air travel is also not recommended after the 7th month, as there is a chance you may go into labor. So, before planning air travel, consult your practitioner.
However, if you must travel during the third trimester of your pregnancy, you will need to take some precautionary measures:
Get more information on what to expect when you are 27 weeks pregnant.
What to Eat at 26 Weeks Pregnant
Leg Cramps at 26 Weeks Pregnant
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My weight is 90kgs even i cont walk for a minuet.how can i over come this?