Pregnancy calendar - Week 26
Your baby is the size of a Head of Lettuce
You're 26 weeks pregnant and your baby is about to embark on a major growth spurt. Between now and 29 weeks, there will be all sorts of changes. Right now, your baby is about 36cm long and weighs approximately 1lb 7oz – so you should feel their movements every day. If your baby was born early, their lungs would be ready to breathe but still have a lot of developing to do, and their heart-rate is on average around 150bpm – a little higher for boys and a little lower for girls.
You & your body
Doing some exercise during pregnancy will help you adapt to your changing shape and weight. And the really good news is that it’ll help you during labour and get you back into shape after the baby’s born.
Remember never to exhaust yourself, and you may need to take it easier as you get bigger – but exercise needn’t be too strenuous for you to feel the benefit. Doing a daily amount of low-impact exercise like walking can help you stay active. Swimming is also a great idea, as the water can support your increased weight. Some pools also offer special ‘aquanatal’ pregnancy classes.
As ever, you need to be aware that you can’t always do what you used to be able to do, so avoid strenuous exercise in hot weather, always take on plenty of fluids – and make sure that your instructor knows how pregnant you are! If you’re in any doubt about how much exercise you should be doing, talk to your healthcare professional.
Did you know?
Dried fruit can be a great source of vitamins and minerals. While a handful of pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds will give you an extra boost of zinc and protein.
Any more questions?
Our specialist baby advisors and experienced mums are here to talk and ready to help whenever you need them. You can call us or reach us on Live Chat 8.30am-5.30pm Monday-Friday.
