Pregnant woman at 25 to 26 weeks. Sex life: pros and cons

Here comes the 7th month of pregnancy. Already 26 weeks have passed since a new life began to develop inside the female body. Now the process is entering the final stage and it is time for the expectant mother to begin mentally and physically preparing for childbirth and the birth of her beloved child. In just 3 months, those 9 months of long waiting will be left behind. Week 26 begins the 7th month of pregnancy and is the second week of the 3rd trimester.

At the 26th week of pregnancy, the tummy becomes already so large that everyone clearly understands the position of the woman. The shape of the tummy becomes distinct - round or sharp. So, it is at the 26th week of pregnancy that relatives and friends begin to assume the sex of the baby, therefore, to the sign. In fact, the form has nothing to do with gender, but is associated exclusively with the anatomical structure of the woman's pelvis. If the hip bones are wide enough and the baby fits there without problems, the tummy is rounded, and if it is narrow, it starts to move forward more.

1. Eyeballs at week 26 complete their formation. Your child even tries to open them, but cannot do it completely yet.
2. The color of the cornea of ​​​​the eyes is already formed by this moment, but over time it can still undergo changes.
3. The previous stage of development of receptors and endocrine glands is over, and at the 26th week of pregnancy, the unborn baby can already fully feel the taste of food. Based on the observations of scientists, at this stage the child prefers more sweet food, instead of salty and bitter.
4. By this time, the fat layer ceases to increase in size - this is already quite enough for the current state of the baby.
5. At the 26th week of pregnancy, the final shaping of the eyes takes place: the eyelashes take on the look we are used to, and the eyebrows take on a bend, which is easy to see on a planned ultrasound.
6. The child already clearly hears and even feels everything, so it is recommended to listen to calm, quiet music to relax the muscles, and to talk gently to calm him down.
7. With the growth of the abdomen at the 26th week of pregnancy, the weight of the child is already about 750 - 900 g, and the woman feels more and more discomfort and increasing back pain. For this purpose, comfortable orthopedic mattresses are recommended for sleeping, which evenly support the vertical position of the entire body. Doctors recommend that pregnant women sleep only on their side - this will ease the pain and allow you to get some sleep without feeling the baby's tremors.

Tests and ultrasound at 26 weeks of gestation

1. If initially the pregnancy proceeds without deviations, then the observing doctor prescribes only 3 - 4 planned ultrasound scans for the entire period of bearing the baby. The second usually falls at 22 - 26 weeks. In this case, the goal is not only to determine the level of development of the fetus, but also to study its internal organs: the heart, genitals, kidneys and urinary tract. In addition, careful attention is paid to examining the correct structure of the skeleton and analyzing the appearance of congenital malformations. In a pregnant woman, the placenta is examined and checked for integrity and quality, as well as the condition of the amniotic fluid. The place of attachment of the placenta to the walls of the uterus is of particular importance - this will significantly affect childbirth.
2. To the delight of parents, at the 26th week of pregnancy, the genitals reach their final development and with the help of ultrasound it is already possible to clearly determine the sex of the future child.
3. In addition to ultrasound, clinical analyzes of urine and blood are also mandatory during this period. Their important indicator is the determination of the level of sugar in the blood of a woman, to exclude the occurrence of diabetes. This happens because a woman begins to eat a lot in the second trimester, and since the baby tastes sweet more during this period, she eats more of it. Such cases are not so common, only 3% of pregnant women, but can seriously affect the fetus. A large amount of carbohydrates usually leads to abnormal fetal weight, which can affect blood flow to the placenta and lower the baby's blood pressure. Such cases are corrected by the correct diet of the mother, which she must strictly follow.
4. Blood tests also show the content of hemoglobin in the body of a pregnant woman. Its reduced level can lead to the development of iron deficiency - anemia in mother and child, which also needs to be corrected before birth. By including iron-containing foods and iron-rich preparations in the general diet, the doctor adjusts the level of iron in the woman's body for the remaining three months of pregnancy.
5. Determining the number of leukocytes and erythrocytes in a blood test, as usual, will check for the presence of minimal inflammatory processes, but is also an indicator of the work of the genitourinary system due to the increased load on it.

The condition of a woman at 26 weeks of gestation

The whole period, the expectant mother closely monitored her health, the condition of the baby and her feelings. At a period of 26 weeks, expecting the imminent appearance of a child, a woman should be more attentive to herself and the child, as well as careful.

Uterus at 26 weeks pregnant

1. At the 26th week of pregnancy, the uterus reaches frankly uncomfortable sizes for a woman. Sometimes, reaching up to 16.5 - 17 cm in width and 25.5 cm in height, it protrudes from the level of the body by about 5.5 - 6 cm and already fairly compresses the internal organs. Unfortunately, this is not the limit. In the next three months until delivery, it will increase every day by about 0.8 - 1 cm and literally deprive the free space of the abdominal cavity. Lack of blood flow and uncomfortable tightness during this period inevitably lead a woman to problems with the intestines: bloating, constipation and heartburn become a normal reaction of the body to such changes.
2. Gradually, the cervical canal begins to prepare for future childbirth: it is filled with mucous fluid, forming a fairly dense plug. During childbirth, the fetus will push it out, which will mark their beginning. A more common name for this event is “water detachment”.
3. At the 26th week of pregnancy, uterine contractions, called training contractions, will become more frequent. During this period, they are not yet so frequent, but they already cause a little pain and create temporary discomfort for the pregnant woman. In general, this is normal and cannot harm a woman and her child, and even more so lead to a miscarriage. However, if you notice an increase in such cases and an increase in their duration, which may be accompanied by uncharacteristic discharge, consult a doctor immediately.
4. At the 28th week of pregnancy, there is a possibility of a change in the nature of the discharge. This may be due to the formation of a plug of the cervical canal. Uniform non-abundant secretions of a transparent color are the norm for this period. All other manifestations: change in color, smell, consistency - are not normal and require consultation with a doctor. Often such reactions occur during the development of infection. In addition, itching, swelling and redness of the labia, pain during urination, etc. are possible. All this is a clear indicator of infection and requires immediate elimination before childbirth with medical intervention. When spreading, the infection inevitably penetrates into the amniotic fluid and the membrane, and together with the nutrients into the body of the child. Any infection of the fetus will negatively affect its development, growth and may cause abnormalities after birth.
5. If at the 28th week of pregnancy you notice the appearance of reddish or bloody discharge, this may be a sign of an incorrect location of the placenta and precursors of its detachment. In this case, you should definitely consult a doctor, and if all this is also accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, immediately arrive at the place of observation.

Belly at 26 weeks pregnant

1. Every day, the tummy of the expectant mother begins to rise and protrude more and more. This shifts her center of gravity more and more, which complicates movement and changes her gait.
2. Due to the rapid growth of the fetus at the 26th week of pregnancy, the skin does not have time to adapt, and the woman may notice the appearance of vertical stripes. These places of strong pressure on the skin after childbirth will remain in the form of stretch marks. On a smaller tummy, this will not look at all aesthetically pleasing and, unfortunately, you can no longer save the situation with the skin with physical exertion and pressure. To avoid such troubles from the very beginning of pregnancy, you need to properly care for the skin of the abdomen. The most common and affordable means of preventing stretch marks are targeted creams and gels. The remedy chosen on the advice of a doctor must be used after taking a shower, but at least 2 times a day. Do not forget not only about the abdomen, but also the hips and chest. From folk remedies, natural oils or their mixtures are good. When heated, they have a tonic, firming and moisturizing effect on the skin. For example, turn your attention to extra virgin olive oil or its mixture with castor oil.

What happens to the fetus at 26 weeks of gestation

1. Visually, the baby has already received individual facial contours and its own image. Everything that is inherent in a little man is already formed and in its place.
2. By the 26th week of pregnancy, the external auricles have already completed their formation and are easy to see on the ultrasound photo. Now the inner ear and auditory receptors are being formed at full speed. The stage is not over yet, and the baby does not hear everything, but soon he will begin to react very subtly to sounds, getting used to new sensations.
3. Although the baby is in the tummy, his eyes, barely open, are already distinguishing light through the mother's skin. Therefore, be careful with bright light - he may not like it.
4. At the 26th week of pregnancy, not only anatomical changes occur with the baby, which also affects brain activity. Now he begins to distinguish voices. The baby begins to clearly distinguish his mother's voice from his father's. Starting from the 26th week, psychologists recommend that parents communicate more with the child, read fairy tales together, and discuss something with him. Subsequently, this will accelerate the adaptation of the baby after childbirth among new people and environments.
5. The lungs, already almost formed earlier, finally take shape and take their place in the chest.
6. At the 26th week of pregnancy, the baby's skeleton is strengthened - the bone tissue is strengthened so much that the connective bones begin to stiffen a little. In addition, at the base of the formed milk teeth, rudiments begin to emerge, which will subsequently become indigenous. The legs and arms are rounded, skin folds appear at the folds.
7. The skin is smoothed and compacted so that the skin no longer looks completely transparent and defenseless.
8. The heart at week 26 has already formed and does not beat so often - about 130 - 185 beats per minute. The blood that it distills comes through a vein in the umbilical cord from the placenta, where it is saturated with nutrients and oxygen.
9. Brain activity increases, but the scope of its activity is still concentrated on the establishment of internal vital processes, for example, communication with the adrenal cortex. After that, a small pituitary gland will independently begin to produce hormones necessary for life, including growth hormone.
10. On average, at the 26th week of pregnancy, the growth of the child is about 32 - 36 cm with a weight of up to 900 g.
11. Most of the time, the fetus arrives at rest - about 18 - 21 hours a day, and the rest of the time it is actively awake, communicating with its mother.

Arrhythmia at 26 weeks pregnant

At the beginning of the third trimester, the mother feels her child as subtly as her child. So it's not surprising if you hear his heartbeat with a sinking sound. An irregular heartbeat or irregular rhythm is not a cause for concern. Such a concept as fetal arrhythmia is completely normal in the conditions of growth and development of the heart muscle. The end of such "failures" will indicate the completion of its formation. A special doctor perinatologist monitors such phenomena. If you are particularly worried, you can contact him for advice and regular check-ups. If the arrhythmia in the baby goes away before delivery, you don’t have to worry. If during childbirth the baby has arrhythmia, a pediatrician must be present for a quick response in case of any complications.

26 weeks pregnant: video

The 26th week of pregnancy is on the calendar, which means that you are already in the seventh month of expecting a baby and your pregnancy is at the end of the second trimester.

You still continue an active lifestyle and go to work for at least another 4 weeks, because the term for going on maternity leave without any special medical indications is only 30 weeks. What is special about week 26 and what does your baby look like?

Baby development at 26 weeks

• The fetus at the 26th week of pregnancy is already similar in size to an average head of cauliflower weighing 850-900 grams and more than 36 cm tall;
• Subcutaneous fat is actively formed and the child's body gradually acquires plumpness and shape;
• The skin itself is still wrinkled, but this is more the result of constant contact with the liquid;
• If you look at the baby's face, then you will see clear ovals of the eyebrows, cilia, even the ears have already acquired their normal appearance, perhaps a little protruding;
• By the way, the child’s ears already hear quite well and the fetus can already distinguish who is communicating with him - his beloved mom or dad;
• The eyes are also fully formed, but the baby is not in a hurry to open them yet, but his eyelids tremble from the harsh light;
• The skeletal system continues to strengthen with each week and at the 26th week of pregnancy, what happens to the baby, whether he is satisfied with life or he is worried about hunger, you will already feel through strong and active kicks;
• The fetus still sleeps a lot, at least 18 hours a day, but during wakefulness actively moves its legs and arms, so that your stomach can walk with a shake;
• At week 26, the stage of formation of the pulmonary system is coming to an end, thanks to which, after birth, the baby will be able to breathe on his own;
• No less important achievements of the 26th week in brain activity: the pituitary gland, which is responsible for the production of its own growth hormone, comes into play;
• By week 26, the baby already distinguishes all sorts of shades of taste, and he will not fail to express his assessment of your menu, through pushes or hiccups.

And you can read detailed information about the development of the baby in the article Development of the child in the womb >>>.

Mom's well-being

An equally important question at the 26th week of pregnancy is what happens to the mother. With each week, the load on your body increases, and it is important to know which of the changes are normal and which are an alarm signal.

Uterine size

As your fetus grows, so does your uterus.

1. At the 26th week of pregnancy, its bottom is 6 cm higher than the navel, and the total size is at least 26 cm;
2. Please note that your organ is growing by 1 cm every week, so the pressure on your internal organs will gradually increase, and with it the discomfort;
3. The cervix during pregnancy of 26 weeks is filled with a mucous mass, this is the so-called cork, which should protect the baby when the gradual opening of this very cervix begins in the prenatal period;
4. But the walls of the neck should still be uniform and smooth.

Pain at 26 weeks

• Pain in the lower abdomen;

The reason that pulls the stomach at the 26th week of pregnancy may be training uterine contractions. This phenomenon is physiological, thus, your body is preparing for the upcoming birth.

Another thing is the frequency and gradual reduction of the interval between contractions. You need to contact the experts.

• Back pain;

A shift in the center of gravity, a protruding tummy in front and a gradual expansion of the pelvis can cause aching pain in the back and sacrum. The back can hurt and after a long stay in an uncomfortable static position, take a moment to rest and the pain will subside.

• Pain in the legs;

Swelling and cramps in the legs are common for 26 weeks of pregnancy. The weight of the fetus and height increase, at the same time, your parameters do not stand still, and, consequently, the load on the legs also increases.

It is important to wear comfortable shoes, give yourself a break.

In addition, your body, under the influence of pregnancy hormones, also contributes to fluid retention in the body. The cause of seizures may be a violation of the balance of trace elements, it is necessary to strengthen the diet with foods rich in calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins.

• Stomach ache;

At 26 weeks pregnant, you may experience heartburn, bloating, and constipation. The cause of heartburn is the growth of the uterus and compression of the internal organs, as well as the relaxation of the muscular system and the possibility of the release of gastric juice into the esophagus. Relevant information on this topic is in the article: Heartburn during pregnancy, how to get rid of it?>>>

• Headache.

Stress, anxiety and worries about the upcoming birth can cause migraines. It is important to calm down, pay attention to positive emotions and walk more often in the fresh air. Detailed information on do's and don'ts if you have a pregnancy headache >>>.

At week 26, you may experience a feeling of tightness in your chest. It's all about the growth of the uterus, which already reaches your ribs, hence the feeling of discomfort.

Bleeding. Allocations

Bleeding at 26 weeks of gestation is out of the question. This is a dangerous signal that should not be ignored.

1. Discharge at the 26th week of pregnancy is considered normal, of a transparent consistency, odorless and in moderation;
2. At this time, the discharge may increase slightly due to the formation of a plug in the cervix, but for the day you should have enough ordinary daily pads, copious discharge may occur as a result of leakage of amniotic fluid;
3. Please note that an increase in discharge may be accompanied by itching and burning. If the very consistency of the secretions has not changed, then most likely there is an allergic reaction to contact with wet laundry;
4. But a change in color is already an infection or inflammation:

• Curd discharge with a sour smell indicates the progression of thrush. How to save yourself in this case, find out from the article Thrush during pregnancy >>>;
• And a greenish tint or brown blotches are inflammatory processes with purulent secretions.

1. You should be on your guard if, in addition to unusual discharge, your stomach hurts, at 26 weeks pregnant this is a bad symptom.

Feelings at 26 weeks

The main sensations of the 26th week of pregnancy are, of course, associated with the movements of the baby.

• It may seem to you that the fetus has become more restless, but this is not so. He just grew up and now you notice his every movement. In addition, the time of its activity gradually increases and, in some cases, the movements of the baby at the 26th week of pregnancy are observed up to 6 hours a day;
• Another of the novelties is the baby's heartbeat, which can be heard by putting your ear to your stomach. But this bonus is already for the baby's dad;
• Remember that excessive anxiety of the baby for a period of 26 weeks can be caused by hunger or your uncomfortable posture. Try lying on your side or walking around a bit. Measured swaying can calm the brawler. Walking in general is quite useful in your position;

Full information on this issue in the article Walking during pregnancy >>>

• It is difficult to classify the following sensation as pleasant. This is tightness and itching of the skin. The skin tissues do not keep up with the rapid growth of the child and, at the same time, your abdomen. You may experience stretch marks;

• After a long walk, you may feel pain in the lower abdomen. Perhaps you were just tired or walking fast, take a comfortable position and rest. If the discomfort has passed, then there is no reason for concern.

Narrow issues of pregnancy

During pregnancy, you are responsible not only for yourself, but also for your baby. Therefore, your health and lifestyle are under special control. You need to know what can harm the child and what should be avoided.

Temperature

Do not be alarmed, but a temperature of 37 at 26 weeks of pregnancy is normal and does not mean that you are sick. Such physical indicators are caused by changes in your body, mainly at the hormonal level.

In addition, fever can be a kind of protective reaction of your body when immunity is lowered. But if the temperature is above 37, then you should pay attention to the accompanying symptoms.

Cold at 26 weeks pregnant

An elevated temperature can signal colds and viral diseases, in addition, the temperature can also increase with inflammatory processes in the kidneys and bladder. It is important to analyze all the symptoms before proceeding with treatment.

As an alternative - traditional medicine, vitamins in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits and plenty of fluids. If the temperature goes off scale, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen, but you can not abuse the medicine.

At week 26, you may be worried about a low temperature in the region of 36. Anemia, a decrease in immunity, or banal fatigue may be the cause. In any case, vitamins and fresh air will not be superfluous.

Sex

The 26th week of pregnancy is not a reason to refuse sexual relations with your partner. Firstly, an orgasm has a good effect on your circulatory system, in addition, caresses help you relax and tune in to a positive wave.

Alcohol at 26 weeks

Alcohol and smoking are bad habits that must be abandoned even before pregnancy, and even more so during the period of bearing a baby. Even a small amount of alcohol for the fetus and its liver is harmful and dangerous. Alcohol easily penetrates the placenta and poisons the child and affects, first of all, the brain.

Examination of mother and child

In the seventh month of pregnancy, namely the 26th week belongs to this period, you will be invited to an appointment with an obstetrician every two weeks.

1. Each time you come already with the results of a urine test, since at this stage it is important to monitor the absence of protein and bacteria in it;
2. And also once a month you bring the results of a blood test to control hemoglobin;
   In addition, according to these analyzes, it is read whether you have hidden inflammatory processes or allergies (read the detailed article about allergies during pregnancy >>>);
3. At the appointment, your weight is measured, and the doctor takes your blood pressure and takes measurements of your tummy and uterine height. All these data are compared with the table and it is determined whether the development of the fetus is normal at the 26th week of pregnancy.

If you have gained a lot, a specialist may prescribe an additional sugar test to eliminate the likelihood of developing diabetes. Please note that the norm of weight at 26 weeks of pregnancy is no more than 10 kilograms of the initial body weight. In a week, you should gain no more than 300, a maximum of 500 grams.

Ultrasound at 26 weeks pregnant

At the 26th week of pregnancy, the baby may still turn on its own, but this issue will already be under control.

On an unscheduled ultrasound, the amount of amniotic fluid is measured, the degree of maturity of the placenta is assessed. At the 26th week of pregnancy, the placenta should be at zero maturity, its aging is considered normal in the last three weeks before delivery.

Lifestyle at 26 weeks pregnant

You know that pregnancy involves a special responsibility from you, changes must occur in everything, even in lifestyle.

• Normal sleep, a clear daily routine, proper nutrition and daily walks in the fresh air;
• At week 26, it's time to sign up for maternity school and go to prep classes. You can take your partner with you, this will be relevant if you are preparing for partner childbirth;
• If you feel weight gain, you can increase the time of evening walks or sign up for fitness for pregnant women.

Food

Nutrition during pregnancy is a separate issue. You should not follow your desires and drink milk with herring, but it will not be superfluous to listen to the needs of the body.

1. If you want overseas fruits, do not refuse. Citruses, for example, are rich in vitamin C, watermelon and kiwi are the leaders in the amount of B and E vitamins, dates and nuts will help replenish magnesium reserves. Current article: What fruits are useful during pregnancy?>>>;
2. In order not to blame the scales, watch the calorie content of the diet. You need to consume no more than 2500 kcal per day, while you should not feel hungry. You need to give up empty calories and eliminate muffins, sugar, and sugary sodas from your diet. And if the soul requires a holiday, you can enjoy dried fruits, honey, halva;
3. Instead of noodles and potatoes, cereals should lead in your menu, and a variety of them. So you satisfy your hunger and get a unique set of essential trace elements and vitamins;
4. Do not forget about milk and cheese, meat, eggs, fish. The main thing is that the listed products are thermally processed;
5. Despite puffiness, it is impossible to refuse liquid in any way. Green weak tea, fruit drinks, fresh juices, mineral water without gas will replenish the water balance. Find out what kind of water you can drink and which one you should refuse from the article Mineral water during pregnancy >>>;
6. In the taboo zone are smoked and canned food, snacks and fast foods, fried and fatty foods;
7. During pregnancy, it is better to abandon the raw food diet, including sushi;
8. Also, you will find a lot of useful information on nutrition in the book Secrets of Proper Nutrition for the Future Mother >>>

To make your pregnancy give only joy, you can use useful tips:

• Dream. The baby seems to be specifically waiting for the moment when you lie down to start your dances. If he's getting too rowdy, try singing him a lullaby, or ask your husband to talk to the baby. As a rule, having heard the voice of the pope, the fidget calms down;
• And to make it easier for you to find a comfortable position, and you have to choose between the left or right side, get a special pillow. It will come in handy during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Read a detailed article about pillows for pregnant women >>>;
• Breast. wear special underwear for pregnant women to avoid stretch marks. Also read the article

Pregnancy is a magical period for every woman. Despite all the inconveniences, heavy "burden" and various manifestations of toxicosis, after the birth of a child, a woman begins to miss this condition. This is probably the best feeling in life - when a new life is born inside you.

This is already the seventh month of pregnancy (one obstetric month is exactly 4 weeks), and it means that the expectant mother has already moved into the third trimester. The growth of the baby reaches 32 centimeters, and the weight is about 900 grams. The baby begins to actively move, making up to 250 movements per day (about 10 times per hour). Also, the third trimester means that the baby is already strong, and his movements in the womb can be felt not only by the mother, but also by others with a tactile touch.

It is from the 26th week of pregnancy that obstetricians recognize the fetus as a full-fledged person. Despite the underdevelopment of tissues and organs, the child will be able to independently “develop” during premature birth.

The uterus of the expectant mother has risen by 26 centimeters and is now located 6 centimeters above the navel. All organs rise, therefore, starting from the 26th week, a woman is characterized by choked breathing, heartburn and swelling. Every next week, the uterus will rise another 1 centimeter.

Feel

Due to the rapidly growing abdomen, shortness of breath appears, the desire to take a deep breath becomes constant. The gait has changed, it has become much more difficult to put on shoes, and long distances and stairs are a real test.

There is heaviness in the legs, pain in the lower back or back. It hurts both the spine and the muscles. The center of gravity shifts forward due to the weight of the abdomen.

The baby's kicks become more painful: he gets bigger, there is less room for him, and the legs can hit the bladder or liver. On average, a child sleeps 20 hours a day, the rest of the time he spends in an active state.

A woman can be tormented by heartburn (it can be prevented by special portioned nutrition).

Many mothers note that they began to sleep worse, to dream about a child. This is due to the uncomfortable position of the mother's body: the child begins to move more actively, trying to wake up the mother so that she rolls over.

Mom at 26 weeks

By the 26th week, the total weight of the mother increases by an average of 9 kilograms from the norm. This is a normal number. The abdomen looks more rounded and protrudes significantly forward.

The diaphragm rises due to the high position of the uterus, because of this, breathing quickens.

The cervix is ​​filled with a mucous plug. She will depart when strong contractions begin, and will serve as a kind of indicator of the onset of labor. Due to the appearance of a mucous plug, additional discharge may be observed - in healthy mothers, they are light, uniform. Curdled discharge signal complications. Purulent signals the spread of infection.

At the 26th week, the so-called Braxton-Hicks contractions appear, they do not threaten the health of either the mother or the baby and do not mean premature birth. Contractions are irregular and not very painful - this is how the body prepares for future childbirth.

Baby at 26 weeks

At this stage, the child begins to breathe independently. Although the lungs do not expand until birth, the respiratory reflexes are already present. The baby inhales the amniotic fluid, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. It's absolutely safe.

At the beginning of the third trimester, the child's thinking is finally formed - the brain cells reach their maturity. In this regard, the baby is established:

• The sleep cycle - it already distinguishes between rest and wake time, so now you can already accustom it to the daily routine. During periods of sleep on ultrasound, you can see how the baby sucks his finger (at the 26th week, a sucking reflex appears, the baby is preparing for future breastfeeding) and even smiles.
• Taste - now the baby can distinguish sweet from bitter. For example, when a mother eats sweets, the baby may kick harder, recognizing the taste as pleasant.
• Distinguishing sounds - the child begins to understand where “mother's sounds” are (heartbeat, rumbling of the intestines, lung noise, mother's voice), and where are outsiders (the sound of pouring water, music, the voices of other people). This can be seen in the accelerating pulse of the child - when he hears his mother's voice, his heart begins to beat faster.

Also at week 26, the baby opens its eyes for the first time. Their color has already been determined by this period, although it may darken with age.

The child's ears are already formed and slightly move away from the head. Eyebrows and eyelashes appear - they can even be seen on the ultrasound picture.

Bone tissue continues to harden, the first signs of growth of molars appear. Milk teeth have already taken shape.

Baby's face on ultrasound, 26 weeks ultrasound - 26 weeks of pregnancy

The skin of the baby is smoothed and brightens (turns pink).

From an anatomical point of view, the fetus strengthens the neural connections between the brain and organs. The first test of this connection will come at birth, when the brain signals the lungs to open. With the development of neural connections, the child begins to feel and understand pain.

The heart beats at an average frequency of 125-160 beats per minute. The brain begins to send signals to the adrenal glands - this extremely important process means that the baby's body will begin to independently produce some hormones, including growth hormone.

The lungs finally occupy their usual place around the heart, the descent of the diaphragm ends.

The subcutaneous fat has finally formed. Now the muscles begin to form and grow, in connection with which the child will rapidly increase in size.

At the 26th week, girls complete the formation of the genitals and vagina, and the testicles begin to descend in boys. A month later, they form a full-fledged scrotum. The accuracy of determining the sex of the child will be 100%.

Examinations and comorbidities

Urinalysis, measurement of weight, abdominal circumference and mother's blood pressure have become familiar. At the 26th week, the height of the bottom of the uterus is also measured (the absolute norm is 27-28 centimeters).

Also to the usual examination is added:

• ultrasound. If the pregnancy goes without complications, ultrasound is prescribed only a few times in nine months. The second appointment usually falls on the 26th week. The main task of the examination is to exclude malformations of the fetus, its internal organs, nervous system and skeleton; give an overall assessment of the growth of the baby. Ultrasound also assesses the condition of the amniotic fluid and the placenta.
• A clinical blood test is prescribed to determine the level of glucose (glucose tolerance test) to rule out diabetes in the mother. Diabetes is observed in only 2% of cases, but it can lead to rapid weight gain in the baby and slowing of blood circulation in the arteries. Also, the analysis will allow you to examine the level of hemoglobin and determine whether anemia develops in a pregnant woman.

Complications

Possible complications at this stage of development:

• premature birth;
• Preeclampsia (loss of protein in the urine, decreased pressure, swelling);
• Delayed fetal development;
• FNP (placental insufficiency, dysfunction of the placenta).

All these complications will be detected by the doctor during the next examination.

Also, various discharges can be a signal of complications:

• If you experience itching, burning and strange discharge, be sure to consult a doctor. This indicates an infection that can affect the amniotic fluid and even the fetus itself. Such an infection will negatively affect the development of the baby.
• Suspicions are also caused by excessively watery discharge - they can mean the "flow" of amniotic fluid. Even with small portions of discharge, it is imperative to consult a gynecologist.
• Bloody discharge, coupled with pain in the lower abdomen, signal placental abruption.

Video - 26 weeks pregnant

Food

During this period, it is necessary to provide the child with all the necessary vitamins, so nutrition should be as complete and frequent as possible.

Eat small meals often to keep your blood sugar at the right level and avoid dizziness and fatigue.

Any allergens are excluded from the diet - honey, milk, red fruits, citrus fruits, chocolate.

Carbonated drinks, fried and smoked foods, fast food are also banned (they should be abandoned at the very beginning of pregnancy).

Don't experiment with unfamiliar or exotic fruits. Try to eliminate salt from your diet.

All dishes are desirable baked, boiled or steamed.

When you go out for a walk, always take yogurt or fruit with you so you don't go hungry.

Although a child will almost certainly enjoy the sweet taste, it is advisable to limit yourself to confectionery. However, sometimes you can pamper yourself and your baby, but remember about the increased glucose level.

It is very useful to periodically make fruit porridge from grated apples and carrots - such a dish will ease stagnation in the intestines. The digestive system will also be calmed by a glass of curd whey drunk on an empty stomach.

If your feet are very swollen, limit your salt intake as a matter of urgency. Drink water half an hour before meals and do not eat after 18:00. Boil and drink cranberry juice every day, it helps to remove water from the body.

Due to the rapid growth of the abdomen, white stripes appear on the skin. Then they turn into ugly stretch marks. Experts recommend using pregnancy gels to reduce and brighten them at an early stage. Rub this remedy during water procedures. From folk remedies, a little warmed olive oil is suitable.

If you notice an arrhythmia (uneven heartbeat) in a child, most likely there are no complications - the heart still continues to develop and grow. The arrhythmia will pass when it is finally formed.

If your back hurts a lot, it is recommended to perform special exercises, you can go to the pool. Start wearing a brace, it will take the load off your back. When restless sleep, you can buy a pillow for pregnant women: wrap your arms and legs around it during sleep, the pillow will support the stomach and relax the back muscles.

Constipation often occurs during pregnancy. Watch the work of the intestines and do not sit for a long time and often. To prevent constipation, it is recommended not to eat spicy or smoked foods, spices and flour products. Walk more often, but do not overdo it with the load. Too frequent constipation is fraught with the appearance of hemorrhoids.

At this time, it's time to prepare for breastfeeding - wipe your chest with a damp towel, take air baths, gently wipe your nipples with a hard cloth (due to the sensitivity of the nipples, the uterus may begin to contract, do not overdo it with pressure).

Sex at 26 weeks pregnant

Sex during pregnancy is very welcome, if there are no complications and contraindications.

During orgasm, the functions of the placenta are activated, and the body of the expectant mother produces the hormone of happiness. The baby gets it too.

Remember that postures should exclude pressure on the stomach.

Cautions

1. Protect yourself from stress. The baby feels the slightest change in the mood of the mother and also begins to feel bad and upset. Do not turn on loud music and try to avoid harsh sounds, the baby may be frightened. Remember that the sound of your mother's heart and the surrounding world, muffled by amniotic fluid, are his native habitat. Don't shine bright light on your belly.
2. Try not to eat smoked and spicy foods, the child will not like the harsh taste sensations.
3. Try not to stand in lines for a long time, do not walk for several hours without rest.
4. Do not worry about possible contractions, the baby is still "training". But be sure to tell your doctor about it.

If you haven't been on vacation yet, now is the time to take it. By law, you can go on paid leave immediately before the decree. Usually they go on maternity leave at the 30th week (when carrying two or more fetuses, the decree is prescribed two weeks earlier).

Remember that the risk of preterm birth is especially high in the summer. Mom's body loses a lot of fluid, and in hot weather you need to drink water constantly.

Seek immediate medical attention if the uterus contracts 5 or more times per hour; water leaves (if you can hold back the stream - this is urine, if not - amniotic fluid comes out); there is severe pain in the lower abdomen and pressure in the pelvis; if there is blood from the vagina.

Listen to yourself and your child. Remember the comfort of the baby:

• Sudden changes in pressure cause hypoxia in the baby, so be sure to consult a doctor before flying.
• Acclimatization is also stressful for a healthy person, avoid abrupt climate change.
• When vaccinated, the substance also penetrates into the baby, and a lot of effort is required to fight the vaccine.
• Extreme is dangerous with premature birth and a large load on the mother's body.
• When dehydrated (this applies not only to travel), the water-salt balance of the mother's body drops, and the amniotic fluid becomes more salty. This affects both the development of the baby and his mood. Always carry at least one liter of water with you.

Don't change your diet drastically. The taste preferences of the child in the last trimester have already been formed, and the baby may not like the new sensations when swallowing amniotic fluid.

Mom at 26 weeks pregnant

What will be harmful or unpleasant for the Baby in his mother's rest:

• pressure drops in flight cause hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, in the Baby's body. The most vulnerable are the first and last months before birth. Your doctor will be the best adviser, and if he doubts the advisability of traveling by plane, it is better to think of another way to get to the resting place;
• a sharp change in climate: adaptation is stressful for any organism, especially for you, and therefore for your Baby;
• vaccinations that are required for travel to the tropics and subtropics. Any vaccine is an infection of the body (including the tiny body of the Baby), which takes a lot of effort to fight, and the result is not always guaranteed. Is it worth the risk?
• features of the mother's condition (health, gestational age), due to which the Baby may be born in another country. Even if there is decent medical care there, if the insurance provides for high-quality care for mom and Baby and the subsequent safe flight back home, if you know the language of the country where you are, and you have enough funds for any unforeseen circumstances, you still expose the Baby to additional stress. . In addition, becoming a citizen of another country, the Kid may fall under the protection of local laws, and some effort will be required for both of you to return to your homeland. (Sometimes such situations drag on for more than a month, it happens that the Kid has been away from his mother all this time, in specialized institutions, with strangers.);
• extreme (mountaineering, kayaking, parachuting, horse riding, etc.) is risky for the life of the mother, and therefore for the life of the Kid;
• dehydration - we are talking not only about countries or areas with a dry and hot climate, but also about long journeys or flights (it is known that during a flight the body loses more fluid than under normal conditions). In case of violation of water-salt metabolism, the concentration of salts in the blood of the Baby and in the amniotic fluid increases significantly, the load on the kidneys increases, the body of the crumbs includes a program for the accumulation of fluids in the tissues. This affects both the physical and emotional state of the Kid. The way out is to always have a supply of drinking water without gases with you - at least 1 liter;
• your experiments with food. Your Baby is quite conservative and can be "naughty" if you change your gastronomic preferences too drastically. This is especially true of the last trimester, when the taste preferences of the Baby are formed very actively. An upset stomach before birth is not typical for children, but the Kid will definitely respond to new taste sensations when swallowing amniotic fluid. And if he doesn’t like the taste, he will frown and spit it out.

26 weeks pregnant: Baby hears you video

Week 26 is the last week of the 6th month and 2nd trimester of pregnancy. The baby is already big enough, he can do a lot of things, but it is still very early for him to be born. Without the help of doctors and special equipment, the crumbs cannot survive. Therefore, the expectant mother should direct all her efforts to safely convey the pregnancy and not risk the child.

Fetal size at 26 weeks gestation

The growth of the baby by the end of the week is 30-32 cm, weight - 750-850 g. If the mother is sent for an ultrasound scan at this time, the specialist will be able to determine in more detail the size of all parts of the baby's body:

A special program embedded in the ultrasound machine evaluates these values ​​and gives the doctor the gestational age, which corresponds to the size of the fetus. All information must be recorded in the study protocol. Subsequently, the gynecologist compares the actual and determined during the pregnancy with the parameters of the mother's abdomen (height of the uterine fundus and abdominal circumference). This allows the doctor to identify malnutrition of the baby - a delay in his intrauterine development.

What happens to the baby at 26 weeks

In week 26, there is a consolidation of the achievements of the past months and something completely new:

Feelings of a woman at 26 weeks pregnant

The closer the 3rd trimester, the more often the expectant mother has various health problems:

Each of these conditions should not bring severe discomfort. If the discomfort is pronounced, it is necessary to consult a doctor. The expectant mother cannot endure pain and neglect her health.

Abdominal parameters and weight gain of a woman at the end of the 6th month of pregnancy

The height of the fundus of the uterus at 26 weeks - 25-26 cm(a few fingers above the navel). Abdominal circumference - 1 cm more than the previous week. Significant deviations in one direction or the other are undesirable.

Weight gain for this week should not exceed 400-500 g. The total increase for the entire pregnancy is about 8 kg.

Possible complications and their causes

The expectant mother at 26 weeks of gestation may face the following pregnancy complications:

If the expectant mother is registered with the antenatal clinic, regularly visits the gynecologist and passes all the studies assigned to them, the listed complications will be detected at the initial stages of development. This will enable doctors to provide timely treatment.

Required tests

When a woman in position becomes registered, the gynecologist, in accordance with her state of health, chooses the most appropriate plan for managing pregnancy. It will include a package of mandatory studies and a number of additional tests and procedures - each woman will have something different. Some pregnant women will go through 2-3 for the entire period of bearing the crumbs, and a number of mothers will have to go for an ultrasound scan almost every month. The same situation can be with analyses. Therefore, if a gynecologist, in addition to mandatory examinations, prescribes something in excess of the norm to a pregnant girlfriend, but you do not, you should not worry and accuse the doctor of negligence. So, the girlfriend has evidence for that.

According to the plan, at the 26th week of pregnancy, each expectant mother is shown the following studies:

• (it is desirable to pass the day before the visit to the gynecologist, so that the doctor has time to get the result).
• Glucose tolerance test (usually performed between 24-28 weeks).

All other studies according to indications:

• Ultrasound with Doppler, if any deviations are detected during the examination of a woman (inconsistency of the abdomen with the gestational age, the baby's heart is poorly heard, etc.).
• if anemia is suspected or to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for this condition.
• A blood test for hemolysins or antibodies in case of Rh conflict (performed once a month).
• Sowing