26th week of pregnancy: fetal growth 23 cm from the toe to the coccyx, about 33-35 cm from the crown to the heels. Weight reaches 850 g. The active development of the fetal hearing continues. A good habit for mom will be a regular measurement of blood pressure. The appearance of tunnel wrist syndrome is possible.
Fetal development
Your baby diligently consolidates the achievements of previous weeks. For example, he is trying to open his eyes. The muscles of the eyelids are already sufficiently developed for this. The fetus may blink and squint. The ability to open and close eyes is very useful after birth, especially in bright light. If the tiny muscles of the eyelids do not develop properly, the baby will not be able to fully control them after birth. When drooping eyelids, surgery is usually needed. So the new skill is very important for the fetus, although now it is in complete darkness.
For a long time, the fetus has developed all auditory organs. These are not only the external ears, but also the eardrum, and tiny bones, as well as ligaments. At first, the loudest sounds simply cause vibrations: the baby hears, but does not recognize what is happening. Later, after the development of the cerebral cortex, the fetus begins to distinguish between sound vibrations.
There are no objective medical studies of fetal hearing. But observations show: you need to talk with the baby before birth. If the mother, father and other relatives regularly begin to speak out loud with the future baby, this will be of great benefit. Later, the newborn will hear many familiar sounds and will respond positively to them.
And here is your idolizer 🙂
Gradually, the brain and motor activity of the fetus are synchronized. This means that some movements are a response to external stimuli, and not just reflex movements. The kid can noticeably come to life if the mother listens to music, speaks loudly or is afraid of something.
At week 26, skeletal bone strengthening and the formation of subcutaneous fat cells continue. The rudiments of the teeth inside the gums are almost completely mineralized. Neural connections increase and develop. Hair and nails barely noticeably grow. A hormonal background gradually forms. The head circumference reaches approximately 20 cm. In boys, the testes are lowered into the scrotum.
How is the fetus located at this time? As long as you like. It’s too early to worry about the baby’s body position.
The volume of amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby is approximately 0.7 liters. The weight of the placenta is approximately 300 grams. A tiny heart counts 120-160 beats every minute. The fetal heartbeat can usually be heard if you press your ear firmly against your mother’s stomach.
If premature birth occurs now, it will be very difficult for a newborn to adapt.To save his life will require special medical equipment and the efforts of many doctors. According to doctors, the risk of early labor is higher in the summer. The reason is dehydration of a woman's body in the heat.
How's mom doing
Six lunar months of your pregnancy have passed, it’s the seventh. The second trimester is ending. It is considered the calmest time when waiting for a child. At the twenty-sixth week, mom’s sensations already show the approach of the most difficult and critical period.
Now it seems to many women that the child under their hearts moves constantly. It is easy to explain: the fetus has grown, it becomes crowded. The uterus has grown so much that some tremors of the baby are already felt under the ribs. But there are calm kids, all individually.
Your body is still getting fat. In some women, only the stomach grows, in others, the waist is completely lost, increase in the volume of the hips. The chest has probably grown by 1-2 sizes, but it can pour a little more. Normally, the total weight gain from the beginning of pregnancy can reach 9 kg. An increase in the size of the uterus often leads to shortness of breath during physical activity. Get used to walking so that breathing does not go astray.
Your tummy has grown so much that it completely does not allow you to bend. This is especially noticeable during pregnancy with twins. Because of this, it is probably very uncomfortable to shoe. In warm times it is better to wear simple shoes or moccasins - they are easy to put on and take off. Wear boots, sneakers and other shoes with buckles and laces only while sitting.
Photo of tummies (click to enlarge)
In the cervix, a mucous plug is gradually formed. It literally clogs the entrance to the uterine cavity and protects it from infections and other negative influences. Compaction of mucus occurs completely imperceptibly for a woman.
Vaginal discharge should still be moderate, without a pronounced color and smell. Report any abnormality to your doctor.
Possible troubles and complications
Accustom yourself to regularly measure your blood pressure and record results. In the early stages, it is often reduced, and closer to the third trimester it can periodically increase. Blood pressure is an important indicator of the well-being of a pregnant woman. If it constantly deviates from the norm, this can lead to serious complications. The hardest thing is late toxicosis (gestosis), kidney disease (nephropathy), preeclampsia and eclampsia (syndromes that often endanger the life of a mother and baby).
Another unpleasant sensation is lower back pain. They can have various reasons. The simplest explanation is the growth of the uterus, its pressure on the nerve nodes plus extension of the internal ligaments. However, kidney problems are also often manifested by pain in the lumbar region.
With minor discomfort, there is a simple check. Take a warm bath, stay in it a little in the most comfortable and relaxed position. If it has become easier - you have the so-called physiological pain, it is not dangerous. Nothing has changed - see your doctor. This is especially important if discomfort occurs on one side, the color of the urine has changed, or you have already noticed kidney disease. Severe pains of any nature necessarily require the help of doctors.
If you work a lot at the computer, play the piano or do any other monotonous work with your hands, you may experience carpal tunnel syndrome. Often this is a consequence of constant swelling of the hands. The fluid that stagnates in the connective tissues compresses the nerve fibers; this causes pain in the hands or only in the wrists. This problem can accompany you until the birth and is not completely resolved. However, you can alleviate the discomfort. Try to shake, stretch your arms more often, even if they are not swollen or tired. When sleeping, try to position yourself so that your hands do not fall down. In this case, you can avoid stagnation of the fluid and improve blood circulation.
In some cases, pregnant women have stagnation of bile. If the problem is not solved, the formation of stones in the gallbladder is possible. The first alarm is pain under the ribs on the right. An accurate diagnosis and treatment methods are established by the doctor.
When to go to the doctor
If there are no alarming symptoms, stick to your visit calendar. Ultrasound for this period is prescribed for special indications. For example, if you missed the deadline for the examination. Most likely, before you receive a woman’s consultation with a doctor, you will need to pass urine and blood for analysis. The doctor writes out the directions in advance, at the previous visit.
Recommendations
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- Adhere to a strict diet, try not to deviate from food principles.
- The best food option is in small portions. Never allow yourself to overeat, it overloads your body and one day will turn into excess weight.
- Drink plenty of fluids so you don’t feel thirsty.
- Avoid any bowel problems, especially avoid constipation. To prevent hemorrhoids, regularly wash the anus with warm or cool water.
- Wear the most comfortable underwear, clothes and shoes. You should not experience pressure, friction, or other discomfort throughout the day.
- If you do not have a prenatal bandage yet, it's time to get it.
- When pigment spots appear on the face, be patient and do not mask them with a layer of makeup. It is very harmful to your skin.
- Try to prevent stretch marks. It is advisable to rub the skin of the chest, abdomen, hips and buttocks several times a day with special means.
- If you are working or studying, it's time to think about a close maternity leave. For example, discuss with your employer the temporary transfer of your responsibilities.
- If leg veins expand, discuss wearing compression tights or socks with your doctor.
- For small edema on the legs, regularly douse them with water of contrasting temperatures. Keep your legs taller when lying or sitting.
- It is advisable not to sleep on the left side. Before going to bed, settle down with maximum comfort, a few small pillows will help you with this.
- If convulsions occur, rub the problem area until completely relieved. Since seizures often occur due to a lack of calcium and potassium, discuss dietary adjustments with your doctor.
- Do not forget about walks and special sports for pregnant women.
- Plan any business with a margin of time. Now you can’t walk fast. It is advisable to avoid public transport during rush hour.
- Do not stay motionless for a long time. Change your body position, do small workouts at every opportunity.
- Fix the time of training fights. If they occur more than four times in an hour, there is a threat of premature birth.
It is very important to carefully monitor your well-being. Do not dismiss problems, do not be lazy to go to the doctors. Soon you will need a lot of strength to inform and give birth to a baby.
Video guide: 26th week of pregnancy fetal development, blood pressure, lower back pain, pain in the hands
Baby hears you
Four more weeks will pass, and the decree - for a period of 30 weeks.)
I also took leave before the decree, so at just 26 weeks I stopped working.My son moved quite actively, but even now we have shustriks. 🙂
And dad talked to him while he was still in his stomach. Seriously so. 🙂
I re-read it, and remembered myself for six months :) I had neither a lower back, no hands, and the whole pregnancy was painless. Well, this is purely individual. I remember that at this time I already knew that the baby hears, tried not to be in noisy places and listened only to calm music :)
During my first pregnancy I didn’t go to doctors especially, I was young, inexperienced. Thank God the baby was born healthy.
But when I became pregnant a second time, I took it more seriously.
correctly in the article they wrote about measuring blood pressure, this is actually very important.
The doctor immediately told me about this.
But I could not avoid kidney problems, but I went to the hospital at the time, so everything is fine now.
I had stretch marks after my first pregnancy, but I do not focus on them. what to do, such is nature.
so mummies, read the article and just always monitor your health, and then neither you nor the baby will have problems
Thanks for the article, very informative. Only in the recommendations in p. 12 is it a mistake to sleep on the left side is just desirable;)))
Yes, you're right, I was also surprised when they wrote that it is not recommended to sleep on the left side