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26 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby, Your Body and What to Do
Your baby's eyes begin to open, and the lungs are maturing.
Before you use this guide: Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period. Sizes are rough averages, and healthy babies vary. This is general information, not an individual medical assessment, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor or midwife.
How your baby is growing
The eyelids that have been closed since early pregnancy are starting to open, and your baby can blink. Eye colour may change after birth. Your baby can react to bright light shone on your bump.
The lungs are still growing and developing air sacs. Your baby may be more active in the evening and may have hiccups, which feel like small rhythmic jumps.
How you may be feeling
Backache, pelvic pain and tiredness may build as your bump grows. Heartburn and indigestion are common, and you may notice swelling in your feet and hands. It can be harder to get comfortable in bed.
Your to-do list for week 26
- Practise good posture, avoid heavy lifting and bend at the knees.
- Try antenatal yoga or swimming, which are kind to your joints and back.
- Eat small meals and avoid spicy or rich food near bedtime if heartburn is bad.
- Ask whether you have a blood test planned for around 28 weeks.
When to ask for help
If your blood group is Rhesus (RhD) negative, your care team will usually talk about anti-D injections around 28 weeks, or earlier after any bleeding. Ask about this if nobody has mentioned it.
For heavy bleeding, severe pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache with vision changes, or a baby who is moving less than usual, do not wait for your next appointment. Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away. Our guide to pregnancy warning signs has more detail.
Not sure which week you are in? Use the due-date calculator to estimate your due date and current week.
Useful at this stage: pregnancy weight gain calculator and baby shower planner.
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- NHS: Pregnancy — Pregnancy care, common symptoms, screening and complications.
- NHS: Week-by-week pregnancy guide — Pregnancy development and care by week.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.