Pregnancy Week - 26 Weeks Pregnant

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Pregnancy Week 26

Week 26

How Big is the Baby at 26 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby has put on quite a bit of weight by week 26 and is now a whopping 1.7 pounds. Your baby's total length is about 14 inches. Your baby is now starting to add a little fat to her bones, though she won't start accumulating too much fat until the last few weeks of pregnancy.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby's heart continues to grow and develop at 26 weeks. You may even be able to hear your baby's heart beat through a traditional stethoscope placed on your stomach. Don't get too excited though, some women can go their entire pregnancy without being able to locate their baby's heartbeat using a stethoscope. The Doppler ultrasound is a much more effective and efficient way of measuring your baby's heartbeat throughout pregnancy.

In addition to organ maturation the nerve pathways in your baby's ears continue to develop and this will allow your baby to respond to sounds more consistently. You might notice your baby jumping more often now to loud noises. This is a good time to start playing some relaxing music to your little one. Some parents even enjoy reading to their babies during this time.

Your Growth and Development
Your uterus should now be about 2 and a half inches above your belly button. Your uterus will continue growing at a rate of about 1 centimeter each week as you continue your pregnancy. You have probably put on some weight at this point in time, up to 23 pounds for some women. Your weight may fluctuate from day to day due to water retention so try not to weight yourself every day, as this could prove discouraging during your pregnancy.

Changes in You
You are probably starting to experience more discomfort including pressure and back pain as your belly continues to grow larger.

Leg cramps are also common. Be sure to stretch out your legs as much as possible and eat a nutritious diet to ensure your body is receiving the nutrients it needs to keep up with your baby's development. Stretching is particularly important if you plan on doing any type of exercise. Remember that your added girth and the changes in hormones will change the way your body responds to exercise. You want to make sure you do not injure yourself. One way to prevent this is through routine stretching.

Headaches may start to come on more frequently around this time in pregnancy, as your hormones continue to change as you approach the end of your second trimester. Usually you can take some Tylenol to help relieve the pain of headaches you are experiencing. If your headaches are severe or you are experiencing frequent migraines, talk with your healthcare provider about any possible treatment options.

Some women might start complaining of pain or discomfort around their ribs or in their lower abdomen. Your little one is getting stronger, and her strength combined with the growing size of your uterus, which is pressing against your organs may cause you to have some discomfort. It isn't uncommon to feel a sharp or stabbing pain or pressure under your ribs as the baby moves. It may help to switch positions or lie down when you feel this pain or discomfort.

Nursing Pillows
Nursing Pillows Fun For Everyone

One of the biggest benefits of using a nursing pillow is the peace of mind you will have knowing that you are providing a warm, safe and comfortable environment for your baby to nurse in. Breastfeeding is truly one of the more rewarding times a mother and new baby can enjoy.

Snoozer Pregnancy Pillows are an ideal gift for mothers during pregnancy. Not only will they support a mother during pregnancy, but also they double as a nursing support pillow in the months following pregnancy. Nursing and pregnancy pillows are a must have for any expectant mother that plans on breastfeeding their body.
Watch our pregnancy pillows video on youtube.com.

Maternity Clothes
Maternity Dresses for the Fashion Conscious Mother

Most expectant mothers prefer maternity dresses over all other types of maternity wear. Why? Maternity dresses are the ultimate in comfortable maternity clothing. They expand, breathe, flow, and gently caress the body rather than cling, pinch, and squeeze llike regular clothes. Who doesn’t want to feel comfortable when pregnant?

Whether you are looking for something formal for a special event or something more casual to wear day-to-day, you can count on a variety of elegant and feminine styles from today’s leading retailer, Destination Maternity. Most women fall in love with their stylish maternity dresses so much they have a hard time not wearing them even after pregnancy!

Pregnancy Health Tips
For some women, thyroid problems can sometimes complicate pregnancy. Your thyroid gland is the area of the body that controls your metabolism. It makes and releases a hormone, which ensure that your metabolism stays at a steady pace.

In the first trimester, your thyroid plays a critical role in your baby’s brain and nervous system development. It is not until week 10 or week 12 of pregnancy that your baby’s thyroid begins to function on its own. Throughout your pregnancy, your little one gets his supply of iodine, which is produced by the thyroid gland, from your diet. If you have thyroid problems that are not controlled, your baby can face certain problems.

If your thyroid gland does not produce enough of hormone, you have hypothyroidism (or an underactive thyroid) and your metabolism will slow down. This condition is treated with medication that contains the thyroid hormone. Often, people with hypothyroidism have to take medication for the rest of their lives.

During pregnancy, hypothyroidism can increase your risk for miscarriage, preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, placental abruption (the placenta starts to separate from the inner wall of the uterus before the baby is born), and pre-term births (before week 37 of pregnancy). Your baby faces low birth weight and decreased mental ability, among other things.

If you have hypothyroidism, you should continue to take your medication throughout pregnancy and have your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) measured at least once a trimester. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns and the best treatment route.

Another common thyroid problem is called hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. With hyperthyroidism, your body’s metabolism speeds up. If not properly controlled, this condition can have devastating effects on pregnancy. This can include maternal heart failure, miscarriage, premature labor, low birth weight babies, stillbirth, and preeclampsia.

Some pregnant women do not experience any thyroid problems during pregnancy, but they develop problems after their baby is born. This condition is called postpartum thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland. It usually occurs within two to six months after delivery, and it is often short lasting. You are often treated with beta blockers to reduce your symptoms. Unfortunately, in some cases, women with postpartum thyroiditis can end up developing long term hypothyroidism and they will require long-term treatment.

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