26 Weeks Pregnant
26 Weeks Pregnant – Pregnancy Week by Week
pregnancy weeks 26
**Please note- Your Due Date is calculated from your last menstrual period, which corresponds to our Pregnancy Week by Week articles.
Week 26
How Big is the Baby at 26 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby has put on quite a bit of weight by pregnancy week 26 and is now a whopping 2 pounds (almost). Your baby’s crown-to-rump length is about 9-10 inches long, and her total length is about 12 inches during pregnancy 26 weeks! 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 during pregnancy at 26 weeks. You may even be able to hear your baby’s heart beat through a traditional stethoscope placed on your stomach by 26 Weeks Pregnant. 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 is a much more effective and efficient way of measuring your baby’s heartbeat throughout pregnancy.
In addition to organ maturation throughout the body, your baby’s nerve pathways in her ears continue to develop during pregnancy 26 weeks which will allow your baby to respond to sounds more consistently. You might notice your baby jumping more often now to loud noises when you are 26 Weeks Pregnant. This is a good time to start playing some relaxing music to your little one when you have the chance. Some parents even enjoy reading to their babies during this time. If you haven’t considered it, have your partner read to your belly. This will help your baby become more acclimated to the sound of your partner’s voice. Believe it or not, one of the first things babies recognize outside the womb besides smell is the sound of your voice, and your partner’s voice.
Your baby will continue breathing in amniotic fluid after twenty six weeks pregnant and beyond. Boy babies usually experience a bit of growth during this week, as their testicles begin to descend into the scrotum. This process typically takes between two and three days to complete.
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 week by week. 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 if you can avoid it, 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 may be 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 changes in hormones in your body will change the way your body responds to exercise. You want to take great care 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 at 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 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. This might help your little one settle in for a bit or change positions.
You may start having a slight increase in blood pressure at this point in pregnancy. Blood pressure is typically lower between weeks 22 and weeks 24 and then rises slightly at this point in pregnancy.
You should be alert to any signs that your blood pressure might be rising too rapidly, including excessive swelling in the hands and face, blurry or spotty vision, severe headaches, upper abdominal pain or sudden weight gain that occurs over a 2 day period. While most women aren’t at risk for pre-elcampsia until the last trimester, it is never too early to be on the lookout for warning signs. Your healthcare provider will continue to monitor your weight and blood pressure during every visit. Be sure to alert them to any unusual symptoms you may be having.
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 your 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 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.
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. 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 retailers. 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
Some women might experience thyroid problems either before or after pregnancy. A thyroid problem prior to pregnancy can potentially damage your unborn baby, thus it is important that you discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider if you have a family history of thyroid disease or any autoimmune disorders that may affect the thyroid.
The thyroid gland is a gland located below your larynx in the front of your neck. It’s primary function includes secreting hormones that help control your metabolism. There are two types of diseases associated with the thyroid: overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism and under active thyroid or hypothyroidism. If you have hyperthyroidism your thyroid gland will produce too much hormone; hypothyroidism results in too little thyroid hormone.
Hypothyroidism affects about 2 percent of the population. Women who have this condition during pregnancy are more at risk for pre-elcampsia, a stillborn infant, low birth weight babies or placental abruption when the condition isn’t treated adequately. Typically this condition is treated with a synthetic hormone called levothyroxine. This is usually considered safe for the developing fetus. You may need to increase the dose of levothyroxine you are on during pregnancy. In fact, for many women the level might need to be increased dramatically, to 30-47 percent according to the latest studies.
Hyperthyroidism isn’t as common though it still presents its own unique challenges. It can be caused by several other conditions including Graves’ disease, thyroiditis or other syndromes. Treatment may vary according to the person but may include surgery or treatment with medications.
Yet another complication of pregnancy is referred to as postpartum thyroiditis. This is a condition that results in a dysfunctional or inflamed thyroid during the postpartum period. Typically this is due to antibodies that circulate in the body, which can result in too much or too little thyroid being released.
Usually postpartum thyroiditis follows a distinct pattern. Most women will at first experience symptoms of hyperthyroidism; they will feel breathless, nervous, mentally confused, anxious or may have unexpected weight loss and suffer from insomnia. This may occur for between one and four months after delivery.
Generally between three and eight months postpartum the body then starts releasing too little hormone, causing hypothyroidism. Symptoms may include an excessive amount of fatigue, depression, weight gain or an enlarged thyroid gland. Many women will realize a complete relief of their symptoms after several months to a year after delivery. However, it is possible that you may remain hypothyroid if your glands are damaged by extreme imbalances after delivery. Pregnancy may also activate an autoimmune form of thyroid disease.
Your healthcare provider can work with you to monitor your thyroid hormone levels by conducting TSH tests. If you have an overactive or under active thyroid problem in the postpartum period, the levels of thyroid hormone can be measured using sensitive tests including the TSH test. The thyroid gland typically produces T4 and T3. This production is possible through stimulation of the pituitary gland. A combination of measurements of T4, T3 and TSH is sometimes necessary to diagnose a thyroid condition in women. Women who experience one episode of postpartum thyroid problems are more likely to develop additional thyroid problems as a result of increased stress, subsequent pregnancies or even during menopause.
Postpartum hypothyroid can be mistaken for postpartum depression, which also result in depression and excessive fatigue. It is important that you talk with your healthcare provider so the best possible treatment can be selected for your condition.
Article you might be interested in reading: Unplanned Pregnancy, Pregnancy Support Belt, Pregnancy Due Date and Pregnancy Health Insurance
Article source: http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com
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