Now that you’re 26 weeks pregnant, the second trimester – often referred to as the ‘best trimester’ – is coming to an end. Make the most of it by enjoying your exercise regime before your bump gets too big and don’t forget to incorporate some pelvic floor exercises too!
26 weeks pregnant – development guide
Your body
The top of your uterus is now between your belly button and your rib cage, approximately two finger widths above your belly button, and you will start to find that sleep is not that comfortable.
There is a great array of products on the market to help you get into the best sleeping position when pregnant, along with products to help you monitor your baby’s heartbeat.
Many women may experience weird dreams from this point on, as you deal with any insecurities or pregnancy anxieties you may have about the baby and how you will be as a mother.
Your baby
Sized at approximately 25cm (head to rump) your baby weighs approximately 690-780g – this is just a quarter of the final birth weight.
Your baby’s spine is strengthening and eyelashes, along with more head hair, are developing. Your baby has 150 joints formed and more than 1000 ligaments.
Your baby’s heart is beating at approximately 150 beats per minute. If your baby was born now, it would have approximately an 80 per cent survival rate, with medical assistance.
3 things to do when you’re 26 weeks pregnant
Practise your pelvic floor exercises
Your pelvic floor muscles are important as they support your internal organs and as well as help bladder and bowel function. These muscles can be weakened during pregnancy and child birth so it is important to do exercises to strengthen them. Check out our article for tips on pelvic floor exercises.
See how your exercise regime might change in the third trimester
Each trimester has its own challenges when it comes to maintaining a regular exercise regime. See how to best exercise through the pregnancy trimesters.
Buy a pregnancy support pillow
You might have a more comfortable sleep if you use pillows to support your growing belly. You can use regular pillows or buy specially made pregnancy pillows. Search our directory to find stores selling pregnancy pillows to help you sleep.
This content is meant as a guide only. If you find anything worrying or unsettling, or experience any bleeding or spotting, contact your local GP, obstetrician or an emergency healthcare provider immediately.