Photo of the fetus, photo of the abdomen, ultrasound and video about the development of the child. Photo of the fetus, photo of the abdomen, ultrasound and video about the development of the child at 26 weeks presses

The 26th week of pregnancy ends the second trimester, which means that the cloudless period ends and the woman reaches the “finish line.” A pregnant woman’s well-being is rapidly changing, as is her baby. We will tell you in more detail about what happens during this period.

How many months is this?

Week 26 is the last week of the second trimester. In six days, the last third of the baby's gestation period will begin. This is the seventh obstetric month. Obstetricians measure gestational age in lunar months, each of which is exactly four weeks. Now, by their standards, the woman has 6.5 obstetric months. This is about 6 months according to the regular calendar.

24 weeks have passed since conception, and 22 weeks have passed since the missed period. There are approximately 14 weeks left until your expected due date. More than half of the long and interesting journey is left behind.

There is a rather difficult stage ahead. At the beginning of the 26th week, a woman reaches a “new level” - now all her thoughts are occupied only with the upcoming birth and baby.

Enter the first day of your last menstrual period

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Woman's feelings

Change is literally in the air. The expectant mother changes in appearance, her mood and well-being change dramatically. Already at week 26, many stop working, taking advantage of the next vacation. The law allows you to take another leave before maternity leave. You are supposed to go on maternity leave at 30 weeks; if a woman is carrying twins, she is given sick leave at 28 weeks. If you add up the next vacation and all the accumulated time off, then now you can say goodbye to your colleagues and transfer your business and position to your successor.

It becomes increasingly difficult for the expectant mother to carry out her work duties, sit at her workplace, and do household chores. Now she needs help and rest. The pleasant euphoria, which lasted throughout almost the entire second trimester, gradually gives way to fatigue and increased fatigue.

Stomach

The belly has grown significantly, and many women at 25-26 weeks of pregnancy notice that it has become difficult for them to put on shoes on their own, especially if it is winter outside, and boots or shoes need to be laced or zipped. It’s becoming more and more difficult to bend, the stomach is in the way, and it’s also difficult to put on shoes while sitting, because raising your legs to the level of your hands has become difficult.

Many pregnant women can no longer see their feet when walking; it is almost impossible to see where the woman is stepping. This creates a very real threat of loss of balance, falling, and injury, especially in winter.

The belly is growing by leaps and bounds. It is no longer only the woman who feels the movements of her baby, they are clearly visible to everyone around her: during periods of activity, the stomach literally shakes under clothes. It is no longer possible to hide the belly; even loose clothing does not hide the “interesting position”.

Movements

At the 26th week, the baby is actively gaining weight, it becomes more and more crowded in the uterine cavity, and therefore, at the 26th week, movements can begin to cause pain to the woman. The thinner the expectant mother is, the more she feels the baby’s movements.

Women carrying twins at this stage are already experiencing real suffering from pushes and kicks to a variety of internal organs.

The movements became regular. The expectant mother has already “studied” the baby’s rhythm of life and its routine. She knows exactly when the baby is sleeping and when he is awake, when the baby hiccups and when he is worried. Existing methods for counting movements are not yet of practical use. They are usually used starting from the 28th week of pregnancy. In the meantime, the expectant mother should simply record the presence or absence of fetal motor activity.

Excessively active and prolonged movements (for several hours without rest) may be a sign that the baby has pressed his own umbilical cord with his body or has become entangled, and now he is suffering from a lack of oxygen.

Quietness most often indicates that the baby is sleeping, but if it does not make itself felt during the day, you should also consult a doctor.

Now the activity of the belly dweller is at its peak. This will continue until about 32 weeks, then there will be little space in the uterus, the baby will grow, and active movements will be difficult for him. Even now babies have difficulty turning over.

At week 26, women often pay attention to the fact that the baby’s activity is related not only to his personal daily routine, but also to external factors, for example, the weather outside the window. On rainy days and in extreme heat, babies try to sleep more.

Also, activity depends on many other factors - the mother’s diet, her mood. If a woman is stressed, then the specific hormones that she produces during this period are transmitted to the baby and act similarly on his body. The movements become more rare.

But from the chocolate eaten by the mother and the joyful event in her life, the kids become more active. This invisible emotional connection will continue in the first months after the baby is born.

At night during the 26th obstetric week, most babies give their mother “dances,” and therefore it becomes difficult for the woman to get enough sleep and rest fully. During the day, when the woman is in an upright position, walking, doing something, the baby is rocked and moves less intensely.

In addition, even now the baby is “showing his character” with might and main: some babies push and kick often, while others doze off more. After birth, the temperament will remain: some children will be calm, while others will be inquisitive adventurers literally from the first days of their lives.

Psychological state and mood

A woman’s well-being is no longer as easy and relaxed as before, and this cannot but affect her mood. The imminent departure on maternity leave causes mixed feelings.

On the one hand, the woman is happy and glad that soon she will be able to rest as much as she wants, and will not have to get up anywhere in the morning. On the other hand, doubts and worries arise about whether she will retain her job, whether she will have somewhere to go after maternity leave, because finding a new job, if something happens, with a small child in her arms is not so easy.

According to the law, the employer does not have the right to fire a woman who is on maternity leave. The exception is cases of complete liquidation of the enterprise, but even in this case the woman will not be left without means of subsistence; she will be paid the compensation provided for by law.

Therefore, there is no need to worry or worry. It’s better to focus on meeting your baby soon.

However, the very fact of impending childbirth at this time begins to frighten women. Moreover, childbirth causes horror not only for those who are facing it for the first time. Sometimes during the second or even third pregnancy, the anxiety and fear are stronger, because the woman already clearly understands how childbirth goes and what complications and unforeseen situations may arise during it.

Most pregnant women at 26 obstetric weeks admit that they feel an unpleasant feeling of dependence on others. Now a woman needs help to tie her shoes, go to the store for groceries, hang up the washed laundry, etc. Everything that she used to successfully cope with on her own now becomes very difficult without outside help.

Such specialists have quite a lot of experience working with a contingent of pregnant women, they have individual methods and techniques that will allow them to understand the situation, give practical advice and recommendations, because the expectant mother now needs peace of mind no less than vitamins and good nutrition.

Painful sensations

Despite the fact that there are still about 3 months left before giving birth, the expectant mother’s body begins large-scale preparatory “measures” for this difficult test. The production of the hormone relaxin begins, under the influence of which the pelvic bones become softer and more pliable. Many pregnant women feel that their pubic bone hurts.

If this pain is not sharp and acute, does not limit movements and the ability to move, sit, or walk up the stairs, then there is no reason for alarm. In case of acute pain, you should visit an obstetrician-gynecologist and orthopedist to rule out symphysitis.

Under the influence of increased weight, women experience pain and aching legs, especially knee joints and ankles. Cramps in the calf muscles are possible, especially at night. Such painful contractions are symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body, after all, the baby has already taken a lot of this mineral, and his need for calcium has not yet dried up.

At this stage, the back hurts and aches for two reasons at once: the center of gravity has shifted due to the growing belly, and the back muscles experience increased stress due to the need to hold the upper body in an upright position with breasts that have grown a couple of sizes.

The growth of the uterus continues, the ligaments stretch and thicken, the task of which is to hold the reproductive female organ in the correct position. This is accompanied by tingling in the area of ​​the uterus and on the sides of it, and the woman occasionally experiences lower back pain. The lower back is pulled not only due to stretching of the ligamentous apparatus, but also due to the weight load.

Physiological pain does not require treatment, painkillers or physiotherapy. It is quite simple to distinguish them from pathological ones.

Natural pain at this stage is not accompanied by abnormal discharge from the genital organs, the pain does not intensify, does not resemble contractions in nature, and the uterus does not become toned. If you rest a little, lie down, soak in a warm shower, then they subside.

Discharge

Discharge from the genitals from the 26th week of pregnancy needs careful monitoring. In order not to miss pathological changes, it is worth using daily thin sanitary pads.

Tampons should not be used, because they increase the likelihood of congestion inside the vagina, which promote the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, the very process of inserting a tampon into the genital tract poses a danger from the point of view of infection.

There is more discharge at week 26. If pregnancy proceeds normally, then the vaginal secretion has a white, beige or yellowish color, a uniform consistency without any impurities of blood, mucus, or clots. There may be no smell at all, or there may be a slight smell of sour milk. Such discharge is considered completely normal.

Deviation from the norm may be indicated by discharge of a different color, having an unpleasant odor, a strange consistency, and also causing unpleasant sensations - itching, burning. Such pathological discharges include greenish and gray discharge, characteristic of a bacterial and purulent infection, white curdled discharge, which may be a sign of thrush, as well as bloody and watery discharge.

Pink and brown discharge also belong to blood and differ from each other only in the number of red blood cells in the vaginal discharge. If the discharge looks like water, is heavy, or is released in small amounts but regularly, this may indicate a water break or leakage.

In all cases where the discharge pattern deviates from the norm, you should go to the doctor, and if your water breaks, it is best to immediately call an ambulance.

At week 26, a woman should wash herself two or three times a day with warm water without soap to prevent infection of the genital tract. Abundant discharge is a fertile environment for the proliferation of bacteria and fungi. Requirements for observing the rules of intimate hygiene are increasing several times.

Changes in the body

Changes on the physical level are becoming increasingly noticeable this week. Most pregnant women have increased pigmentation. Moles and freckles (if they were present before pregnancy) became brighter, and the circles around the nipples darkened.

The breast itself hurts much less than before, or does not bother the woman at all. Colostrum may be released from the nipples - this is also normal.

Often, women at 26 weeks notice that their fingers are numb and there is tingling in their limbs. All this is a consequence of large and important processes that are now taking place in the female body.

Uterine growth

The uterus continues to grow along with the baby. At week 26, it is in the abdominal cavity, its bottom rises 6 centimeters above the navel. The navel itself has stopped sticking out, but now more tangible problems have appeared. The uterus “props up” the diaphragm, the woman begins to experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath appears, and it is almost impossible to take a calm, deep breath.

Nausea and heartburn return again. This time they are not associated with hormonal changes, as was the case in the first trimester. Now only the large and heavy uterus, which compresses the stomach and gall bladder, is “to blame” for digestive disorders.

Compressed intestinal loops cannot provide normal stool, so diarrhea, constipation, and increased gas formation are possible during the current period. The uterus rises on average one centimeter per week. The height of the uterine fundus at week 26 is 24-28 centimeters. The length of the cervix is ​​35-45 mm.

By the end of the second trimester, the body of the uterus had reached an impressive size - 24-28 centimeters in height and 15-17 centimeters in width. Shortening of the cervix at this stage is the main cause of premature birth.

The cervix usually becomes shorter and effaced before childbirth. This period is not considered normal for such a process. A short neck requires preservation therapy. An obstetric pessary, previously placed sutures on the cervix, fixing it and not allowing it to open prematurely, are the main ways to prolong pregnancy in the event of cervical incompetence.

A woman feels the uterus perfectly not only while sitting or turning from side to side. Now the location of the uterus is easily determined without the help of a doctor; the upper limit of the reproductive organ almost supports the lower part of the mammary glands.

Now more than ever, the need to lighten the load is greater. A special orthopedic prenatal bandage will help a woman with this.

Weight gain

The weight continues to gain quite rapidly. There is nothing strange in this, because the volume of amniotic fluid by week 26 is about 700 ml, the placenta weighs about 300 grams, the baby itself weighs almost a kilogram, and the uterus weighs about half a kilogram. If you add to this your own fat reserves and the increased amount of blood circulating in the female body, you get a pretty impressive number.

Weight gain is considered normal if the expectant mother now gains no more than 400-500 grams per week. However, the overall “gain” is a rather individual matter.

• Thin women should normally add no more than 9 kilograms to their original weight this week.
• Women of normal weight should gain no more than 8 kilograms.
• Expectant mothers who were “chubby” before pregnancy - no more than 5-5.5 kilograms.

You now need to monitor your weight very closely, weighing yourself weekly and recording the results in a special notebook.

Unmotivated weight gain at this stage, subject to the principles of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, may be the only symptom of a dangerous complication of pregnancy - gestosis.

Training contractions

So-called training contractions this week are observed in approximately 30% of women. Moreover, most of them are primiparas. In the second or third pregnancy, training contractions usually begin just before labor, a few days or even hours before. But there are also exceptions.

Training contractions themselves should not frighten a pregnant woman, because they do not affect the child or the woman’s health in any way, and do not lead to smoothing and dilation of the cervix. Despite women’s fears, false contractions do not bring labor closer; with or without them (after all, some do not experience a single false contraction during their entire pregnancy), labor will begin at its scheduled time.

It is not difficult to determine the tone of the uterus at this stage; all women in the “position” are fluent in this. This is how training contractions manifest themselves. For a few minutes the uterus turns to stone, the stomach tenses, after which everything goes away without a trace. Such contractions do not repeat regularly; at week 26 they can “visit” the pregnant woman once every few days.

If a woman lies down at the moment of contraction, changes her body position, relaxes, or visits the shower room, then the unpleasant and frightening sensation will subside.

Real contractions are difficult to confuse with false ones. If premature birth begins, the contractile activity of the uterus will proceed according to the same principles as in the case of a full-term pregnancy: contractions will repeat at certain intervals and intensify. You won't be able to remove them with a warm shower.

Arterial pressure

At 26 weeks of pregnancy, blood pressure finally returns to its origins, to the woman’s usual level that she had before pregnancy. If during the second trimester blood pressure was slightly lower, then by the end of this period it increases in all expectant mothers, thus leveling out to “non-pregnant” values.

This means that a healthy woman begins to suffer from headaches less often, becomes dizzy less often, and is significantly less likely to suddenly lose consciousness. However, in overweight women, multiple pregnancies and women prone to hypertension (high blood pressure), headaches may begin to hurt right now. If there is gestosis, its course may worsen.

From week 26, special attention should be paid to blood pressure levels. It is measured on both hands in the morning and evening; if the values ​​increase, you should definitely consult a doctor without delaying it for later, because high blood pressure is dangerous for the placenta and the baby.

If your head hurts regularly, you also need to consult a doctor: perhaps the reason does not lie in your blood pressure level.

Decreased visual acuity

Many expectant mothers, in the middle of the seventh obstetric month, notice that their visual acuity has decreased slightly. Such changes are caused by fluid retention in the body, sometimes swelling of the eyelids, increased load on all vessels, including intraocular ones, as well as the so-called “dry eye syndrome”.

If a woman had vision problems before pregnancy, now she needs to visit an ophthalmologist. If there were no such problems, there is no need to worry: the decrease in vision is temporary, and after childbirth, visual function will be restored in full.

Baby development

By the 26th week, most babies assume the correct position in the uterine cavity - the cephalic position, that is, they are positioned with their head down, towards the exit of the uterus. In this position they will be born, although some especially mobile babies still manage to change their body position.

If the baby is now in a breech or transverse presentation, do not panic ahead of time and prepare for an inevitable caesarean section. The position of the fetus for the purpose of choosing a method of delivery is usually determined much later. While the baby has time to change his position.

Now the baby is becoming more and more human-like, he is actively gaining weight. At week 26, he already weighs from 750 grams to a kilogram. His height is 33-35.5 centimeters. From crown to tailbone (CTR) the height is about 29 centimeters.

Appearance

The appearance of the baby at this stage is already very individual. Many of her features are unique to him, to this baby and no one else. Embryos are as similar to each other as two peas in a pod, but enough time has passed after the embryonic period for the baby to display the traits that he “got” from his mom and dad.

Now children have different sized noses, different eyelash lengths, different lip shapes, and different forehead heights. And only everyone’s ears are a little similar in that they are slightly protruding.

The ears are made of cartilage tissue, it is still quite soft. Once the shells harden, they will take a more natural position in relation to the head. By the way, from the degree of softness of the ears, doctors judge the degree of prematurity of the baby if he is born much earlier than his due date.

The skin began to smooth out due to the appearance of subcutaneous fatty tissue, but not all the wrinkles have disappeared yet, and the baby, if you look at him in 3D or 4D formats on an ultrasound, looks very much like a little old man. As the wrinkles smooth out, this similarity will gradually disappear.

The baby's jaws are well developed. Previously, the rudiments of milk teeth were laid, now molars and permanent teeth are being laid in full swing. Until the period of loss of baby teeth, they will be located deep in the jaw tissue.

The child begins to develop his own skin pigment, now he is no longer a red-purple tadpole, but a fully formed person with skin similar to his usual color, although thinner than it seems. There are nails on the fingers, fingerprints are identified on the pads of the fingers - unique, inimitable patterns on the skin.

The vernix shows the baby's body and face. It protects the skin from water exposure. The lubricant is prevented from being washed off by the hair, which is called “lanugo”. These fine hairs all over the body are a result of the hair follicles, and gradually the baby has already begun to get rid of them.

The baby's body proportions have become more correct. The head is no longer the largest part of the body, and the legs, which were short, have now grown longer than the arms.

My tummy began to get better, small cute cheeks appeared, my arms and legs no longer made a pitiful impression of their thinness.

Nervous system and sensory organs

At week 26, the baby in the womb is not bored. His sense organs are actively developing, which allows your little one to explore the world with interest within the framework in which this is now possible. The baby's eyes open and close. He sees in color, but image clarity still leaves much to be desired. Everything seen is perceived by the baby as multi-colored blurry spots.

The hearing organs are fully functioning, and now the baby listens carefully. Favorite sound is the beating of mother's heart, it calms him down. After being born into this world, the baby will also react to the beating of the mother’s heart, which is why babies, if they are sick or capricious, are recommended to be put to the breast more often and held close. The baby will hear a familiar sound and calm down.

The formation of receptors responsible for the sense of smell continues now. Tactile sensations are already well known to the baby; he “uses” touch and quite successfully, feeling everything that surrounds him and himself. Also, the baby at this stage is a real gourmet; he distinguishes the shades of tastes of amniotic fluid, since he has developed taste buds located on the inner surface of the cheeks and on the tongue.

The cerebral cortex continues to develop. Thanks to the production of neurons, thousands of new neural connections are formed in each, and the baby learns new movements and skills.

Despite the fact that the process of developing the nervous system is the longest, the baby has already achieved a lot: he can suck, grab, spit, and swallow. His right or left hand is more active, and now you can understand whether he is left-handed or right-handed.

The baby clenches his fists, reacts to stimuli, both auditory and tactile, he sleeps and is awake, and during sleep, which at week 26 takes him up to 22 hours a day, your baby sees real dreams. It was possible to find out this by recording the phases of rapid and slow sleep in fetuses at the end of the second trimester. The REM sleep phase, in which dreams usually occur, predominates in babies.

At week 26, the brain not only takes control of the limbs and other parts of the body, but also establishes important contact with the adrenal cortex. Now the baby begins to develop its own hormonal levels.

Internal organs

The main processes this week take place in the baby’s lungs. They continue to form alveoli and produce surfactant, which started just a few days ago. The lungs themselves now occupy the correct position in the chest - a “triangle” with the apex upward. The maturation of lung tissue is a very important stage.

Alveoli resemble bubbles. In our case, they are filled with air and take part in gas exchange. And in babies in the womb, while they do not have independent full breathing, the alveoli are empty. To prevent them from “deflating” and “sticking together” after the first inhalation and exit, a surfactant is needed - a substance produced by the alveoli themselves. If the baby is in a hurry to be born, there may not be enough surfactant, which can lead to acute respiratory failure.

The baby’s digestive organs and endocrine glands are working almost in full normal mode. The kidneys produce urine, the first feces are deposited in the intestines - meconium, which consists of particles of exfoliated epithelium, lanugo, which got into the water and was swallowed by the baby.

The baby's heart beats rhythmically and clearly. Now even the future dad can hear it if he “listens” to his wife’s tummy with a stethoscope. The baby's heartbeat remains approximately twice as fast as his mother's. This week, the normal heart rate is 140-170 beats per minute.

The formation of the reproductive system in boys ends. The girls completed this process earlier. In most future representatives of the stronger sex this week, the testicles, which have traveled a long way from the abdominal cavity, descend into the scrotum. For other boys this happens at a later date. Only a small percentage of babies are born with undescended gonads, and in this case the testicles often descend after birth.

At the 26th week of pregnancy, the baby’s pituitary gland begins to produce its own growth hormones. And this will now significantly accelerate the pace of its maturation.

Viability

Childbirth at 26 weeks is not considered a miscarriage, it is a full birth, only premature. If the baby is born now weighing up to a kilogram, it will be considered extreme prematurity. The prognosis is questionable; despite the necessary intensive care, only 20% of babies survive.

If the baby’s weight exceeds a kilogram even slightly, prematurity will be considered severe. With it, approximately 30-35% of babies can be saved.

Babies born at 26 weeks are placed in special incubators with heating and oxygen supply, in which the babies grow until they gain a weight of 1.7 kilograms. After this, they can be placed in a heated crib. Once the child reaches a weight of 2 kilograms, he can be discharged home with his mother.

Unfortunately, even very good neonatologists cannot guarantee that a baby born at 26 weeks will be completely healthy. Survivors often experience neurological disorders of varying severity, hearing and vision impairment, and damage to the central nervous system. But such an outcome is not necessary. History knows quite a lot of children who were born in the seventh month of pregnancy, survived through the efforts of doctors and are now growing up quite healthy and strong. Much depends on the mood of the parents and, oddly enough, the baby himself.

Neonatologists know for sure that there are strong-willed babies who “cling on” to life with all their might, really want to live and survive, contrary to the forecasts of experts. If this happens, you just need to believe in your child, and he will definitely succeed.

Baby on ultrasound

Ultrasound examination is not included in the list of mandatory examinations this week. But it can be prescribed if the doctor has reasons for it. A good reason is considered to be complications that may arise during the process of carrying a baby this week: lack of movement, too much painful movement, the presence of severe pain and discharge that worries the doctor.

If there are no such indications for ultrasound and the pregnancy is progressing well, then the woman has the right to go to the ultrasound room herself; now there are such rooms in any private clinic. This may be necessary in order to determine the sex of the baby and take a photo that will certainly decorate the family archive. The gender of the child at this stage is clearly visible, and the accuracy of determination is quite high.

Later, when the baby becomes very cramped in the uterus, he will take a more compact position, tighten his arms and legs, and the genitals will not be easy to see. If you want to find out the gender of your baby, now is the best time to do so.

Pregnant women really want to know whether her baby meets developmental standards for a given period. At 25-26 weeks, the norms for fetometry are as follows:

• BPR - 56-74 mm;
• LZR - 75-96 mm;
• DBK - 38-55 mm;
• DKG (tibia or tibia length) - 34-47 mm;
• DKP (length of forearm bones) - 35-43 mm;
• Head circumference - 224-262 mm;
• Abdominal circumference - 194 -240 mm.

These norms are quite approximate, because, as already mentioned, all children at this stage are different. However, you need to know that a lag behind the norms by more than 2 weeks may indicate intrauterine growth retardation, and ahead of the upper limit of the norms by the same period may be a sign that a large fetus is growing and developing in the mother’s tummy, the weight of which is birth weight will exceed 4 kilograms.

Possible dangers and risks

There are a lot of dangerous situations that can await a pregnant woman at 26 weeks. Following your doctor's recommendations will help you avoid them. The doctor does not say anything insignificant or random: if he asks not to overeat or take Utrozhestan for such a long period of time, then he has every reason for this. The following threats pose the greatest threat right now.

Preeclampsia

Edema poses the greatest danger because it is a symptom of such an unpleasant and dangerous complication of pregnancy as gestosis. Late toxicosis can cause the death of a woman and child, intrauterine hypoxia and complications during childbirth. At week 26, swelling may appear not only in the arms and legs, but also on the face. Most often, the nose, chin and lips of a pregnant woman become blurred.

The diagnosis is made by the presence of edema, visible visually, as well as if internal edema is suspected, protein appears in the urine and blood pressure increases. To avoid this, now you need to exclude salty foods and smoked foods from your diet, and reduce the amount of salt to 5 grams per day.

Bad habits and concomitant chronic diseases only aggravate the course of gestosis. If the doctor suggests hospitalization, there is no need to refuse it.

Hemorrhoids and varicose veins

Compression of the lower veins by the uterus can result in varicose veins at week 26, and poor circulation in the hemorrhoidal veins often causes hemorrhoids in pregnant women. Both of these diseases are considered common “companions” of the second half of the gestation period.

Both diseases are easier to prevent than to cure. To prevent varicose veins, it is advisable to wear special stockings, which are sold in any orthopedic salon. The best prevention of hemorrhoids is a balanced diet with an abundance of raw vegetables and fruits, they prevent constipation. It is also advisable to lead a fairly active lifestyle, as far as the future mother’s well-being allows.

If unpleasant diseases do appear, you should definitely consult a doctor: self-medication during pregnancy is strictly contraindicated.

ARVI, flu, colds

Reduced immunity at week 26 contributes to easier infection. Therefore, the expectant mother needs to be extremely attentive and beware of seasonal illnesses - ARVI, influenza. Even a common cold can cause a lot of discomfort.

If the prevention did not help, the expectant mother has a sore throat, a fever, a severe runny nose, a cough, you should definitely call a doctor at home. The consequences of a cold are not as dangerous at the end of the second trimester as unreasonable and imprudent treatment with medications and folk remedies that have not been approved by the treating doctor.

Exacerbation of chronic diseases

Due to the increased load on all organs and systems, a woman’s chronic diseases may now worsen. If you previously had colitis, ulcers, problems with the gallbladder, kidneys, liver, heart, now the manifestation of the disease may occur.

Frequent urination during this period does not necessarily mean an exacerbation of pyelonephritis or other diseases of the urinary system. If there is no pain and urine tests are good, we are talking about compression of the bladder by the uterus. This is a natural “inconvenience” for a pregnant woman, which will go away after childbirth.

Analyzes and examinations

During this period, no mandatory tests are prescribed. If you have a regular doctor’s appointment this week, you should take a general urine test before the appointment. Most pregnant women are also given a referral for a general blood test at week 26 to rule out another dangerous complication - anemia.

Women with Rh-negative blood this week can additionally donate blood to determine the antibody titer, the increase of which may indicate a developing Rh conflict. Women with hormonal imbalance are prescribed tests for testosterone, hCG, progesterone and estrogens.

The peculiarities of this period are that all previously given recommendations to the woman should be adjusted to take into account the fact that the condition of the expectant mother no longer allows for long walks or to be actively involved in work and study. Now the main “adviser” is common sense.

At week 26, you should not do anything that comes with great difficulty. The following recommendations will be useful at this particular time.

• Start establishing a good family tradition evening walks before bed. Walking with your husband will help improve your relationship and will benefit both spouses. Then, when the baby is born, the whole family can go for evening walks.
• Sign up for courses for expectant mothers. Even if you already have a child and everything is familiar, in such classes you can find useful and interesting communication among like-minded people, as well as ask all your questions to doctors - a gynecologist, pediatrician, neonatologist.

• When planning a menu for a week or several days, a woman must take into account the fact that the pressure of the uterus on the digestive organs has increased this week. Now it is desirable to increase not only the calorie content of the daily diet by 500-600 Kcal, but also introduce a new, additional meal, by reducing the amount of food consumed. This will help avoid heartburn and nausea.
• If stretch marks begin to appear on your skin, be sure to you should use special cosmetics for their further prevention. The skin is now more sensitive to cosmetics, and allergic reactions may occur. If a woman has sensitive skin, it is best to rub warmed vegetable sunflower or almond oil into the skin of her chest, thighs, and abdomen after a shower.

• If you have problems sleeping, it is uncomfortable for a woman to sleep on the right or left side It is worth buying a special pillow for pregnant women. It will allow you to take a position in bed that is physiologically considered the most suitable for the expectant mother.
• Sex at 26 weeks is not contraindicated if the pregnancy proceeds without complications. If in doubt, it is better to consult a doctor about the possibility of being sexually active. The precautions are the same as before, only the choice of poses is becoming smaller. Now it is important not only not to squeeze your stomach during sex, but also to avoid deep penetration. If you experience pain or abnormal discharge after sex, you should definitely visit a doctor.

If you plan to travel during this period, do not worry about the flight. Almost all airlines do not ask a woman for a doctor’s certificate until the 28th week of pregnancy.

However, there may be some nuances established by the carrier’s rules. Therefore, before purchasing tickets, you need to indicate your deadline and ask if there are any restrictions.

Pregnancy is a period in a woman’s life filled with unusual sensations. She begins to treat her new position with special trepidation from the moment she feels the baby's movements.

At the end of the 2nd trimester, the baby’s movements are already quite strong, so with the onset of each subsequent week, expectant mothers are interested in how he is developing. What should you know about the 26th week of pregnancy? What sensations should the expectant mother pay special attention to?

Baby development at 26 weeks of pregnancy

Many gynecologists consider the 26th week of pregnancy to be the beginning of the 3rd trimester. At this stage, the fetus has already reached a level of development that corresponds to most of the parameters of a newborn. However, his body is not yet ready for life outside the womb. According to the classic pregnancy calendar, this period refers to the borderline period between the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

Dimensions and weight

Many expectant mothers cannot understand the procedure for calculating the duration of pregnancy, so they are often confused about the question of how many months constitute a particular number of weeks. When calculating the gestation period, experts focus on the lunar month, which lasts 28 days. In accordance with this calculation, obstetric 26 weeks is 6.5 months of pregnancy.

The baby is actively developing and growing at this time. Weekly weight gain ranges from 100 to 200 grams, height - 1-2 cm. At the twenty-sixth week of pregnancy, its size corresponds to the parameters of an average papaya fruit. Height is 32-35 cm. It weighs 750-850 grams.

Also, after 25 weeks, the baby’s parameters must meet the following standards:

• the size of the head between the parietal bones is from 6 to 7 cm;
• head circumference - 220-260 mm;
• dimensions of the forearm bones - 3.5-4.5 cm;
• shoulder and lower leg bones - 4-5 cm;
• belly circumference - 19.5-24.1 cm;
• LZR (fronto-occipital size) - 7.6-9.4 cm.

Physiological changes in a small organism

At week 26, the baby’s internal organs and systems are already fully formed. His appearance takes on the features with which he was born. As you can see in the photo below, the baby has eyebrows, eyelashes, eyes and ears. At this stage, he begins to open his eyes for the first time and distinguishes between bright light and darkness.

The baby's brain hemispheres are actively developing. The connection between the brain and internal organs and systems is improved. During this period, the hormone responsible for growth begins to be produced, and subcutaneous fat is gained.

The development of the child's inner ear reaches such a level when he begins to hear sounds from the outside. The baby perceives low-frequency sounds best. He also learns to distinguish voices.

The 26th week of pregnancy is the time when the baby's taste buds begin to develop. However, so far he only reacts to sweet and bitter. The rudiments of permanent teeth are formed inside the baby’s jaw tissues, and the skeletal system is strengthened.

The respiratory system prepares to function outside the mother's body. Alveoli begin to form in the bronchi. The skin gradually turns pink and straightens. Wrinkles appear on the elbows and bends of the arms and legs.

At the twenty-sixth week, the genital organs are finally formed. In girls, a vagina appears, and in boys, the testicles move towards the scrotum. The sleep and wake patterns are also set. However, the baby sleeps most of the day - up to 20 hours.

Changes in the mother's body

At this time, most pregnant women still continue to work. However, the belly and weight gain are so large that it is impossible to hide pregnancy from others. The baby’s movements are no longer noticeable not only to the woman. The baby is able to push so that the future dad can feel it by placing his hand on his stomach. Sometimes the baby is so active that it wakes up the mother in the middle of the night.

Condition of the uterus

By week 26, the uterus reaches an impressive size. Its width is about 16 cm and its length is 26 cm. The distance from the navel is 6 cm. Every week the uterus constantly stretches and increases by an average of 1 cm. It puts pressure on surrounding organs, so a pregnant woman may feel discomfort in the intestines and suffer from heartburn or shortness of breath when walking.

The cervix begins to prepare for the birth process. Thick mucus appears in the cervical canal, forming a so-called “plug”. From time to time, a woman begins to feel weak uterine contractions, which cause significant discomfort. They disappear after changing body position or at rest.

However, if the contractions intensify, the stomach constantly becomes stone, bloody or watery discharge appears, and abdominal pain appears. These symptoms may be warning signs of preterm labor. If alarming signs appear, a pregnant woman should immediately consult a doctor.

Internal sensations

At this time, women listen more and more to the movements of the baby. Sometimes the child's movements resemble light waves, and sometimes strong shocks. Some people are able to hear when a baby hiccups (we recommend reading: Why does a newborn hiccup often?). Many women become anxious if they do not feel the baby moving for several hours. However, most often their fears are in vain.

Babies may be most active in the evening or at night, when the woman is at rest. If the expectant mother is busy with her own affairs, she notices few movements. How often can the baby move? There are no exact indicators of what frequency of movements should be per day or per hour.

Some experts believe that the norm is 10 movements every 2-3 hours, others - 1 movement every 15 minutes. However, the child cannot move constantly. He sleeps most of the time, so his movements are imperceptible. It also matters where the baby is located in the uterus.

A pregnant woman may be interested in the question of why the fetus began to move less? In this case, she needs to lie on her side and lie quietly. If there are no tremors, you should listen carefully to yourself throughout the day. If movements weaken or are absent within 24 hours, you should consult a doctor.

Time	Baby's movements
	weak	moderate	intensive
7 - 8		1	3
8 - 9	3	2	1
9 - 10	2	4
10 - 11		1
11 - 12	1	1	1
12 - 13	4	2
13 - 14	1	1	1
14 - 15		1
15 - 16	3	2
16 - 17		1	3
17 - 18		1
18 - 19	2		5

Possible pain and discharge

Discomfortable sensations at the 26th week of pregnancy most often arise due to increased work of internal organs and systems. At 6.5 months, the expectant mother may be bothered by:

• Pain in the lumbar back. Caused by a change in the center of gravity due to a growing belly and weight gain.
• Discomfort in the hypochondrium and ribs. The uterus compresses the internal organs, which move higher and put pressure on the ribs. The baby can also apply pressure.
• Cramps. They arise due to a lack of vitamins and microelements and increased stress on the legs.
• Headache. The causes may be hormonal changes in the body, low or high blood pressure, fatigue and lack of sleep.
• Itching in the abdomen. As the uterus grows, the skin on the abdomen stretches, causing an itching sensation at the site of the stretch.
• Intestinal colic, which often occurs with constipation.

Discharge at 26 weeks of pregnancy may increase slightly. However, they must be colorless or light-colored and odorless. You should consult a doctor if the discharge is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• itching and burning;
• unpleasant pungent odor;
• changes in color (became red, yellow or green) and texture (became watery, cheesy or foamy);
• presence of bloody spots;
• pain in the abdominal area;
• the uterus turns to stone.

Psycho-emotional state of the pregnant woman

Many pregnant women feel tired in the second half of the gestation period. This feeling is associated with the ever-increasing load on the body due to the growing tummy. Some pregnant women find it difficult to sleep in an unusual position on their side.

Expectant mothers often experience mood changes due to hormonal changes. Any action of loved ones that they previously did not pay attention to can disturb their emotional peace. For many, memory deteriorates and absent-mindedness appears. It is difficult for pregnant women to concentrate on one subject for a long time.

At the end of the second trimester, most women begin to feel complete unity with the baby growing inside them and withdraw from the outside world. They get carried away by dreams of a child and are able to push their relatives into the background.

Tests and examinations at 26 weeks of pregnancy

A woman needs to undergo routine examinations with a gynecologist. The doctor measures the height and width of the uterus and records the weight of the pregnant woman. Before visiting a gynecologist, you must undergo general blood and urine tests. Research allows you to find out how internal organs work, find out the level of hemoglobin, and identify possible pathologies.

An ultrasound scan at 26 weeks of pregnancy is not usually prescribed. Women undergo routine examinations at 11-14 weeks, 20-22 weeks and from 32 to 35 weeks. However, if it is necessary to monitor the child’s condition, an ultrasound scan may be prescribed at 25-26 weeks. Some couples themselves ask for an ultrasound to film what the baby looks like.

What complications can there be during this period?

The most dangerous complication at this stage is premature birth. They can occur as a result of stress, trauma or a fall, during a pathological pregnancy, abnormal development of the fetus, or illness of the mother. Also at week 26 the following complications may occur:

• a sharp increase or decrease in blood pressure;
• kidney dysfunction;
• anemia;
• fetal hypoxia;
• deterioration of the placenta;
• placental abruption.

If there is spotting, pain in the lower abdomen, the uterus begins to harden, or partial leakage of amniotic fluid occurs, you must call an ambulance. Before the ambulance arrives, a pregnant woman should lie down and try to calm down.

In the process of bearing a child, a pregnant woman’s body spends a lot of strength and energy. As the pregnancy period increases, the baby's needs increase and the mother's reserves of vitamins and microelements decrease. Replenishing energy costs is a necessary condition for successful pregnancy. You should not only eat right, but also take care of your emotional and physical state.

Diet and exercise

The expectant mother's diet should provide the body with all the necessary microelements. It should be varied. It is necessary to eat food that is quickly digested and easily absorbed.

You need to eat up to 5 times a day in small portions. It is not recommended to eat fried and smoked foods and foods that can cause allergies. Boiled, baked or steamed dishes should be prepared. The diet can be varied with vegetables and fruits, hard cheeses, fermented milk drinks, lean meat, natural juices and compotes, and cereals. To improve brain function, you need to eat fish and seafood.

Many expectant mothers try to lead a passive lifestyle to avoid the development of possible complications. However, during pregnancy it is not recommended to constantly lie or sit in an easy chair. Moderate physical activity is necessary for the normal functioning of the female body.

The optimal physical exercises are calm but long walks in the fresh air, swimming in the pool, and breathing exercises. You cannot carry heavy bags or move objects, jump, ride a bike, run, or engage in horseback riding.

Body care

During pregnancy, many expectant mothers notice that their skin and hair condition worsens and stretch marks appear. The following body care recommendations will help you maintain good health and external beauty:

• Use only natural soap.
• Massage problem areas using a special hard mitten. The procedure is best performed while swimming.
• Take a contrast shower. However, at week 26 you can alternate cold and warm water only in the buttocks and thighs.
• You can maintain skin elasticity with pinch massage. The procedure consists of light pinching with your fingertips.
• Apply peeling to hands, face and neck. The scrub can be made using natural ground coffee.
• Wear a bandage to support your back and abdomen.
• After washing your hair, you need to rinse your hair with herbal decoctions (chamomile, nettle, mint).

Intimate relationships

Doctors do not prohibit intimate relationships in the seventh month if the pregnancy proceeds without complications. Many experts believe that sex during pregnancy can even benefit mother and baby. During sexual contact, hormones are produced that have a positive effect on the child's mood.

During orgasm, blood circulation in the placenta is also stimulated, and the cervix becomes more elastic. However, pressure on the abdomen should not occur during sex. Sudden movements should also be avoided.

Ekaterina Morozova

Reading time: 22 minutes

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This record was checked by a gynecologist-endocrinologist, mammologist, and ultrasound specialist.

26 weeks is the 24th week from the moment of conception and the end of the sixth month according to the standard calendar. The birth is just around the corner, two-thirds of the way has been completed.

There are only two weeks left before maternity leave, and, of course, a woman in the workplace is already more of an outside observer. They try not to worry her, do not demand too much and do not assign complex and responsible tasks.

Mother's feelings at 26 weeks

Now all the thoughts of the expectant mother are occupied with preparing for childbirth and meeting the baby. It is necessary to transfer your affairs and leave your job for three years with the prospect of returning, prepare everything for the arrival of a child in the house, and much more.

At this stage, the woman is already dependent on others. And, of course, what is important now is the absence of stress, only light physical activity, support from loved ones, good sleep and nutrition.

• It becomes difficult to put on shoes on your own
• When walking you can hardly see your legs
• You have to walk doubly carefully, because falling now is a risk of premature birth and a threat to the baby

Reviews from forums:

Marina:

And we will have a son!)) I think the baby even talks to us! Feels our touches and responds with shocks!)

Victoria:

And we are waiting for our daughter.) Pushes three or four times a day, at night I sleep completely peacefully. My husband constantly puts his ears to his stomach - he listens to the baby’s heartbeat))

Olga:

I gained eight and a half kg in six months. At first, the weight gained so quickly that they even wanted to save it. Now it seems like nothing is normal. Doesn’t hurt, doesn’t sting, doesn’t press – it’s nice and calm at home))

Maria:
Can anyone give me some advice? I wake up at night from my wife’s screams, it’s already scary! She has seizures. What to do with it? It probably scares my daughter too... Maybe I should feed my wife eggshells?

Irina:

)) I also scared my husband like that at night. Now everything is fine. Just eat foods that contain potassium and magnesium. And we can’t forget about calcium. Cottage cheese is a must!

Catherine:

I don't know, I didn't have any problems. I'm lucky, I guess))) I take vitamins and am getting better steadily. Maybe swelling... But we just have to wait - it’s almost soon!)))

What happens in the mother's body?

• Due to the raising of the abdomen above the navel by 6 cm, it appears dyspnea and a regular desire to take a deep breath;

• By this time the expectant mother gains about 9 kg of weight;

• Arises nausea and heartburn due to an enlarged uterus:

— amniotic fluid – 700 ml;
— placenta — 300 g;
- baby - about a kilogram;
- the uterus itself, the wall of which has already gained its maximum thickness - 500 g.

• Lower back pain and nagging pain in the abdomen - the uterus becomes toned, which is due to painless training contractions (read);

• Uterus from the second half of the term rises 1 cm every week;

• Overall weight gain(with a rational diet) ranges from 7.2 to 10 kg;

• The pressure is rising, returning to the levels that were before pregnancy;

• Edema of the feet and legs may be accompanied by swelling face and fingers, which is associated with accumulated fluid in the body that is not removed in time;

• Can appear numbness and tingling– possible symptoms of circulatory disorders;

• Available dark spots(moles, freckles) become brighter and more noticeable;

• Intensifies flatulence and heartburn;

• 26 weeks may also be accompanied by the appearance of nodes in the anus and legs (varicose veins);

• Uterus, increasing and stretching, puts pressure on internal organs, thereby complicating their activities:

— The diaphragm is supported by the uterus, which prevents full breathing;
— The load on the heart increases;
- Constipation, bloating and other digestive problems appear;
- Due to stretching of the uterine ligaments, pain in the pelvic area and back increases.

• Not uncommon for this period and vision problems.

Causes of vision problems:

• A large amount of fluid in the body of the expectant mother (as a result - swelling of the eyelids);
• An increase in blood volumes (as a result - a load on the vessels, the eye in particular, and microhemorrhages);
• Dry eye syndrome is a feeling of a foreign body in the eye, dryness, and redness.

Fetal development at 26 weeks

• The child becomes active, and his movements are painful for the mother;
• Mostly lies head down, although its position may change many times;
• The baby's weight is primarily gained through muscle development and fat deposition;
• The skin is still red and thin, the cheeks are getting better;
• The child is already able to see and lives in the world of sensations. Formed vision allows him to see only blurry colored spots;
• The taste of amniotic fluid, which the baby already feels, directly depends on the food his mother eats;
• The baby gets used to the mother's heartbeat. That is why, after his birth, the baby immediately calms down, you just have to press him to your chest;
• The baby remembers sounds - the voices of his mother and relatives, music. If you sing lullabies to your baby now, then after giving birth he will quickly fall asleep to them;
• The development of the baby's lungs continues - he is already preparing for his first breath, swallowing amniotic fluid. The lungs take the shape of a triangle and are positioned with the apex upward;
• In boys, the testicles descend into the scrotum
• The baby still has a “senile appearance” - his skin is wrinkled, but the subcutaneous fat continues to develop, and the legs and arms continue to smooth out;
• The cartilage of the child’s nose and ears is still soft, the nails do not yet reach the fingertips
• Heart rhythm – from 120 to 160 beats per minute;
• The ears are slightly protruding, the eyes are able to close completely;
• The pituitary gland begins to synthesize its own growth hormone;
• Connections are established between the brain and the adrenal cortex - hormonal levels are formed;
• The formation of permanent teeth occurs, which remain deep in the soft jaw tissue until they are replaced by milk teeth at the age of 5-6 years;
• The bone apparatus is strengthened;

Baby's weight and size at 26 weeks:

Weight – about 800-1000 g;
Length – about 32.5-34 cm;
Head diameter – about 65.1 mm;
The diameter of the chest is about 65.8 mm;
The diameter of the abdomen is 67.4 mm.

Dangerous symptoms at 26 weeks

• Pregnancy is often accompanied by a disease such as cholelithiasis(This is especially true for lovers of fatty foods). Heaviness in the right hypochondrium can be a symptom of bile stagnation and the formation of gallstones.
• Heaviness in the lower abdomen may be a symptom of ICI (isthmic-cervical insufficiency). It is characterized by premature opening of the cervical canal and, as a result, infection of the membranes. Which, in turn, can cause premature birth. An infection that reaches a child can cause illness.
• Swelling in the arms and legs, as well as on the anterior abdominal wall, high blood pressure, excess weight are possible symptoms of late toxicosis. This is a pathology that worsens the baby’s condition and threatens the woman’s health. It does not cause painful sensations, so expectant mothers often ignore these symptoms, not suspecting that their appearance may be an indicator of advanced disease.
• Discharge from the genital tract may be a symptom of infection if they:
  - mucous membranes;
  — mucopurulent;
  - curdled.

This is the reason for studying microflora, for carrying out smears and tests. When microorganisms damage the membranes, there is a risk of infection of the fetus, its subsequent growth retardation, and even death.

Thank you

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

Starting from the twelfth week, the gestational age is indicated exclusively in obstetric weeks, since various parameters of the baby’s development, with which its condition is compared and a conclusion is made about compliance or non-compliance with the norm, are determined exclusively for the obstetric period.

Fetus

The weight of the fetus at the 26th week is approximately 850 - 960 g (on average 900 plus or minus 52 g), and the body length is 32.9 plus or minus 1.8 cm. In “tall” babies, the body length can reach up to 35 .5 cm. In general, at the 26th week, the body weight and length of the fetus can vary significantly among different women, depending on the genetic characteristics, the constitution of the unborn child and the nature of the mother’s nutrition. For example, two women are carrying a child with approximately the same genetic characteristics (parents of babies of the same height and build), but one of them eats a balanced and healthy diet, and the second allows an excess amount of high-calorie food in the diet. Subsequently, the first woman will have a smaller child than the second, who allows too high-calorie nutrition. If the child is from large and tall parents, then he will be larger than average, regardless of the nature of the mother’s nutrition. Accordingly, the fetus of short and thin parents will also have a small weight and height.

At the 26th week of pregnancy, a very important event occurs - the baby’s eyes begin to open, which until that moment were completely covered by eyelids. This means that the fetus in the uterus will react even more strongly to light. Therefore, the expectant mother needs to avoid bright light sources that will be directed directly at her stomach. After all, for a baby, such lighting is as unpleasant as the bright light of a lamp shining directly into the eyes of an adult.

In addition, by the 26th week, the iris of the eye acquires its final color. That is, the color of the child’s eyes (gray, blue, brown, green, etc.) is determined already at the 26th week of pregnancy.

The bones of the fetus continue to harden, the amount of muscle tissue increases, and therefore the baby gains strength. The rudiments of molars and milk teeth harden. The spine consists of 33 vertebrae, 150 joints and 1000 ligaments, thanks to which the fetal body grows in length and increases its weight.

Fetal movements

At the 26th week, the woman not only feels fetal movements in the form of active tremors or smooth movements of the arms and legs, but can also distinguish the nature of the movements. For example, women can distinguish a baby's play from excited and dissatisfied movements.

Since the child has already gained weight and muscle mass, his movements and jolts are very noticeable, and sometimes extremely painful for the mother. For example, a sharp thrust of a leg into the area of ​​the liver, bladder or ribs causes short-term, but sharp and severe pain in a woman. The pain from the baby's kicks is comparable to a blow to the corresponding area of ​​the body. However, some women's babies are more active, while others' babies are less active. Accordingly, women carrying active babies are much more likely to experience and suffer from sharp and painful fetal kicks. And for women carrying calm babies, the discomfort from kicking is not so strong.

The fetus can change the nature of its movements in response to any external stimuli, or due to oxygen deficiency. So, if the baby likes any external stimulus (for example, music), he may freeze in one position or begin to make smooth movements. If the baby does not like the stimulus, or he suffers from oxygen deficiency, then his movements become fast, intense and abrupt. In such a situation, you need to try to eliminate the irritant that the baby does not like and calm him down by stroking his stomach in a circular motion clockwise. If the baby actively moves in the absence of external stimuli, then this indicates a deficiency of oxygen, and in this case you should change your position and, if possible, take a 10-15 minute walk in the fresh air.

The baby does not move in the expectant mother’s belly all the time, but only sporadically, because the baby not only plays, but also sleeps. Moreover, the fetus sleeps for a total of approximately 16 hours a day, but is awake only 8 hours. However, the child does not sleep for 16 hours in a row, and then plays for 8 hours - he alternates periods of sleep and wakefulness in much the same way as a newborn. That is, the baby sleeps for 2 hours, then plays for 40–60 minutes, after which he sleeps again, etc. The movements of the fetus are felt by the mother during periods of wakefulness, since it is at these moments that he actively plays and moves.

Unfortunately, the periods of wakefulness and sleep in the fetus do not coincide with those of the mother, as a result of which the baby, with its active movements, can prevent the woman from sleeping at night. In such a situation, you need to stroke the belly and sing a lullaby so that the baby calms down. This simple technique often turns out to be very effective, and the child calms down, giving the woman a rest.

It must be remembered that a woman should occasionally feel fetal movements every day, since their presence indicates that the baby is alive and developing. If during the day a woman has not felt fetal movements even once, then she should call an ambulance and be hospitalized in the maternity hospital for examination and treatment aimed at maintaining the pregnancy and preventing fetal death.

26th week of pregnancy - assessment of fetal development, the child’s reaction to the voice of the mother and father (recommendations of a psychologist and obstetrician-gynecologist) - video

Ultrasound and tests

Routine tests and ultrasound examinations are not carried out at the 26th week, therefore, during the normal course of pregnancy at this stage, the woman does not need to undergo an ultrasound scan or undergo laboratory tests. However, if there are suspicions of pregnancy complications, the doctor may refer the woman for an ultrasound at the 26th week. There is no need to be afraid of this direction, since in most cases an ultrasound is prescribed for “reinsurance”.

During an ultrasound, the doctor evaluates the development of the fetus, measures various parts of the body and the presence of internal organs, as well as their compliance with the norm. The fetal heart rate must be calculated. In addition to assessing the condition of the fetus, during an ultrasound, the doctor evaluates the condition of the uterus, placenta and amniotic fluid. To do this, the size of the uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid, the length of the cervix are measured, the condition of the internal os, the thickness, location and degree of maturity of the placenta are assessed.

In addition to ultrasound, at the 26th week of pregnancy, the doctor may refer the woman for Doppler sonography, which allows assessing the condition and blood flow in the vessels supplying blood to the fetus. Based on the results of Doppler sonography, a conclusion is given about the blood flow in the mother-placenta-fetus system and, if necessary, treatment is prescribed.

Among the tests at week 26, it may be necessary to take an antibody titer test (test for antibodies to the Rh factor and ABO system proteins) for women with negative Rh factor blood. However, a test for antibody titers should be taken only if the last time it was done was about a month ago (at 21–22 weeks) or if it was never taken during the entire pregnancy.

This test is taken only by women with negative Rh blood, as it serves to identify Rh conflict during pregnancy, which can only develop in expectant mothers with negative Rh blood. In women with positive Rh factor blood, Rh conflict never develops, and therefore they are not tested for antibody titers.

Other tests at the 26th week are usually not necessary if all the necessary laboratory tests were completed in a timely manner and did not reveal any abnormalities during the pregnancy.

After a general examination, the doctor conducts an external obstetric examination, during which the abdominal circumference, the height of the uterine fundus are measured, the fetal heartbeat is heard, the tone of the uterus is assessed and the location of the fetus is determined.

To determine the location of the fetus, the doctor uses his hands to feel the arms, legs, head, face and buttocks through the anterior abdominal wall. The fetal heartbeat is listened to with an obstetric stethoscope placed on the abdomen. Measuring the abdominal circumference and the height of the uterine fundus is done with a regular centimeter tape. Abdominal circumference is measured at the most protruding part. Normally, at week 26 it is 77–82 cm. The height of the uterine fundus is measured from the upper edge of the symphysis pubis to the upper edge of the uterus. Normally, at week 26 it is 25–27 cm. However, in different women, the height of the uterine fundus may differ by 3–5 cm, since the growth of the organ depends not only on the rate of increase in the size of the fetus, but also on individual characteristics.

The tone of the uterus is determined by its reaction to the touch of the doctor’s hands in the abdomen. If the uterus tenses moderately in response to touch, then the tone is normal. If, in response to a touch, the uterus contracts sharply and strongly, creating the effect of a “stone belly,” then its tone is increased.

• The spinarum distance is normally 25–26 cm;
• The cristarum distance is normally 28–29 cm;
• The normal trochanteric distance is 31–32 cm;
• The externa conjugate is normally 20–21 cm.

Measuring the pelvis allows you to judge its capacity and suggest how likely it is to give birth through natural means. If the size of the pelvis is smaller than normal, then this indicates that childbirth may not occur naturally, since the baby simply does not have enough space in the birth canal. If the size of the pelvis is normal or larger than normal, then childbirth should take place naturally (unless, of course, complications arise during childbirth).

However, the size of the pelvis is not an accurate indication that childbirth will occur naturally, since this also depends on other factors. For example, a woman with a large pelvis, the size of which is larger than normal, may not give birth on her own if the fetus is large. And a woman with a narrow pelvis can easily give birth on her own if the fetus is not large. Thus, the size of the pelvis allows only a rough estimate of the likelihood of vaginal birth.

If necessary, after a conversation, external and obstetric examination, the doctor takes smears from the vagina and performs a gynecological examination in a chair. In principle, at the 26th week, a routine gynecological examination and smear collection are not performed if the woman is not bothered by discomfort in the genital area and the pregnancy is proceeding normally. But if a woman is worried about anything or there are pregnancy complications (for example, a pessary on the cervix, isthmic-cervical insufficiency), then at the 26th week the doctor conducts a gynecological examination and takes smears.

After the examination, the doctor analyzes all available data from examinations and laboratory tests. Based on examination data, examinations and laboratory tests, the doctor makes a conclusion about the woman’s condition, fetal development and the course of pregnancy. If there are any deviations or suspicions of pregnancy complications, the doctor prescribes treatment or refers you to hospitalization in a maternity hospital. The gynecologist also writes out directions for tests and examinations that the woman needs to undergo before the next scheduled consultation visit. The referral forms indicate the date on which you need to take the test or undergo the examination. Thus, a woman will be able to simply take tests or undergo an examination on the required day, without wasting time on going to the gynecologist just for referrals.

If the pregnancy is normal and there are no suspicions of complications, the doctor sets the date of the next consultation visit for the 28th week, although only 2 weeks will pass before it, not 4. This is due to the fact that from the 28th week the woman needs to attend a consultation once every two weeks, and not once a month, and undergo examinations within strictly defined periods with a minimum acceptable spread. Therefore, doctors always try to set the date of the last consultation of the second trimester of pregnancy for the 28th week, so that further visits fall within certain periods during which examinations and examinations are carried out.

Warning signs

At the 26th week, every woman should know the warning signs, which are symptoms of serious illnesses that can quickly lead to pregnancy loss or fetal death. Accordingly, if one or more alarming signs appear, a woman should call an ambulance and be hospitalized in a maternity hospital for treatment aimed at maintaining the pregnancy and preventing fetal death.

Warning signs at the 26th week of pregnancy are the following:

• Bloody or copious thin, watery vaginal discharge;
• Persistent headache combined with visual impairment such as flashing spots, flashes and spots before the eyes;
• Unexpectedly developed severe swelling of the face or hands;
• Increase in body temperature to 38.0 o C and above;
• Itching or burning sensation in the vagina or perineal area;
• Burning or pain when urinating;
• Severe abdominal pain that cannot be relieved;
• A strong blow to the stomach of any origin (for example, a heavy object falling on the stomach, the stomach resting on a hard surface, etc.);
• The appearance of more than 4 – 5 contractions within an hour;
• Lack of fetal movements during the day.

Feelings, signs of pregnancy and changes in body condition

At the 26th week of pregnancy, a woman may experience a wide range of different sensations due to changes occurring in the body. Moreover, these sensations are not always easily tolerated. Sometimes they cause significant discomfort, limit normal daily activities and make a woman nervous. However, despite the discomfort, sensations and changes in the body of a pregnant woman do not require treatment, since they are completely normal and are caused by weight gain, pressure of the uterus on organs, bones and ligaments, etc.

So, at the 26th week, a woman may experience the following normal sensations and signs inherent in pregnancy:

In addition, at the 26th week, a woman may show signs of varicose veins (webs, spider veins, bulging individual veins, etc.). In such a situation, you should definitely consult a doctor so that he can select compression garments that you will have to wear until the birth.

But even if a woman does not have signs of varicose veins, it is advisable for her to also wear compression garments selected by a doctor in order to prevent thrombosis, the risk of which increases significantly from the 25th week until delivery.

Discharge

At the 26th week, the amount of discharge may increase, which is associated with the formation of a mucus plug that closes the cervical canal and protects the fetus from infections from the vagina. Normal discharge has a thin, uniform consistency, is whitish in color, and emits a slight sour odor.

A change in the color of the discharge to yellowish, greenish, grayish or earthy, as well as the appearance of any inclusions in them (for example, flakes, bubbles, lumps, mucus, pus, streaks of blood) or a sharp unpleasant odor indicates the development of an infectious-inflammatory process in the genitals. In such a situation, you need to contact a gynecologist at the clinic for examination and further treatment.

The appearance of spotting bloody discharge, not combined with pain in the abdomen and/or lower back, contractions or a sharp deterioration in health, is usually a sign of cervical erosion, vaginal hematoma, uterine fibroids, etc. As a rule, spotting bloody discharge appears after sexual intercourse or a gynecological examination . If such bleeding appears, you should contact a gynecologist at the clinic.

The occasional leakage of a large amount of yellowish, cloudy liquid discharge, which is not combined with abdominal pain or contractions, indicates leakage of amniotic fluid. In such a situation, you also need to contact a gynecologist at the clinic so that he can determine further tactics for managing the pregnancy.

The appearance of a large amount of yellowish liquid discharge or blood in combination with contractions or pain in the abdomen and/or lower back indicates the development of serious conditions that can lead to pregnancy loss, such as placental abruption or premature birth. If combinations of “heavy liquid discharge + contractions” or “blood + contractions” appear, you should immediately call an ambulance and be hospitalized in the maternity hospital.

Bleeding

Bleeding at 26 weeks of pregnancy is a sign of a dangerous condition that can lead to pregnancy loss. If bleeding occurs, you should call an ambulance and be hospitalized in the maternity hospital. Timely treatment in a large number of cases allows you to maintain pregnancy.

In addition to bleeding, at the 26th week of pregnancy a woman may experience spotting, which is not so dangerous because it is caused by diseases that do not lead to pregnancy loss, for example, cervical erosion, uterine fibroids, etc. Accordingly, if bloody discharge appears, you should consult a doctor at the clinic.

It is quite simple to distinguish dangerous bleeding from spotting. Bleeding always involves the release of a fairly large amount of blood. It is similar in appearance to menstruation. Over time, the blood does not decrease, general health deteriorates sharply, and pain in the abdomen and/or lower back may appear. With bloody discharge, the volume of discharge is normal, they are just colored reddish or brown, the general condition does not worsen when they appear, and abdominal pain does not appear. In addition, bleeding always begins suddenly, for no apparent reason, and spotting appears after sexual intercourse or a gynecological examination.

Uterus and belly

At the 26th week, the uterus has already grown significantly, its upper edge is located above the navel. VSDM (height of the uterine fundus - the distance from the upper edge of the symphysis pubis to the upper edge of the uterus) is already 25 - 27 cm. The height of the uterine fundus is a very important parameter that allows indirect assessment of the compliance of fetal development with the norm. After all, if the VSDM is below the maximum permissible values ​​(22 cm for the 26th week), then this may indicate a delay in fetal development. And if the VSDM is higher than the maximum permissible values ​​(28 cm for the 26th week), then this may be a sign of polyhydramnios. If the VSDM does not comply with the norm, the doctor prescribes additional examinations to determine the reason for this state of affairs.

In addition, at the 26th week, the uterus periodically contracts briefly (about 1 - 2 minutes), which is felt by the woman as cramping pain. Such contractions of the uterus are called Braxton-Hicks training contractions, and are the norm, since they reflect the process of preparing the organ for childbirth. Normally, training contractions occur periodically, one contraction at a time, and there can be 10–15 of them in total during the day.

However, if contractions become regular and their number exceeds 5 within an hour, this indicates the onset of premature labor. In such a situation, you need to urgently call an ambulance and be hospitalized in a maternity hospital in order to stop labor and preserve the pregnancy.

The belly at the 26th week is round, noticeably protruding forward and already limiting the woman’s range of movements (for example, it is difficult for her to bend over, make sudden movements, etc.). The abdominal circumference, measured at the most protruding point, at the 26th week is 77 - 82 cm.

The twenty-sixth week is a critical period for the appearance of stretch marks, since at this time the uterus grows very quickly and, accordingly, the skin also stretches greatly. For many women, it is at the 26th week that the first stretch marks on the abdomen may appear, and the skin may also begin to itch very much. Itching of the skin is its reaction to stretching, so you should not worry about its appearance.

Pain in the abdomen and other parts of the body

At the 26th week, a woman may experience pain of various localization and nature, caused by physiological changes in the body that occur during pregnancy. Such pains are not symptoms of pathology, but reflect the increased load on a woman’s body and the changes occurring in it, so they do not need to be treated.

However, in addition to normal physiological pain, a woman at the 26th week may also experience pathological pain, which are symptoms of diseases and therefore require treatment. Let's look at the physiological pain inherent in the 26th week of pregnancy and the most common pathological pain.

So, normally, a woman may experience slight pulling pains in the abdomen and sides of the abdomen, arising from the pressure of the uterus, as well as stretching and softening of the ligaments that hold it. In addition, with sudden movements, coughing and sneezing, mild pain in the abdomen can become sharp and shooting for a short period of time, which is explained by the strong tension of the uterine ligaments. Pain on the sides of the abdomen is often combined with physiological pain in the hypochondrium or in the area of ​​the lower ribs. Such pain is caused by jolts and the baby pushing into the ribs. After all, the child is already big, he is able to rest and kick his ribs with his legs, which causes pain in the corresponding localization.

In addition to normal, abdominal pain can also be pathological, associated with serious conditions or diseases (for example, placental abruption, isthmic-cervical insufficiency, premature birth, acute appendicitis). Pathological pain in the abdomen is always strong, sharp, often cramping or aching, localized in various parts of the abdominal cavity. In addition, pathological pain is always combined with a sharp deterioration in health, an increase in body temperature or vaginal discharge (bloody or watery). If pathological pain in the abdomen occurs, you should call an ambulance and be hospitalized in a hospital.

Also, at the 26th week of pregnancy, a woman may suffer from physiological pain in the back, lower back, sacrum, coccyx, pelvic bones, hips and legs. Such pain is caused by softening of the ligaments and tendons, divergence of the pelvic bones to the sides, a shift in the center of gravity due to the protruding abdomen and a significantly increased load on all bones and joints. Such pain is normal and usually does not require treatment. However, pain in the lower back, tailbone, sacrum or legs can be very painful, exhausting and lead to excessive neuroticism in a woman. Therefore, you need to try to reduce the severity of pain in bones, joints and ligaments. To do this, it is recommended to periodically during the day lie on your left side for 10–15 minutes and rest, raise your legs up as often as possible, wear a bandage when walking, do not sit or stand in uncomfortable positions for a long time, do not cross your legs, and do not wear shoes. in heels, etc. To reduce the severity of leg pain, it is advisable to wear compression stockings (stockings or knee socks) selected by your doctor. Oddly enough, pain in the bones and in the abdomen can be reduced by periodically standing in the knee-elbow position (on all fours).

It should be borne in mind that pain in the lower back, legs and sacrum can also be pathological. Thus, lower back pain is pathological if combined with an increase in body temperature or pain during urination, since it indicates diseases of the urinary organs. And pain in the sacrum is pathological if it becomes unbearable and intensifies in a sitting position, as it is caused by sciatica - compression of the sciatic nerve. After all, the enlarged uterus puts a lot of pressure on all underlying tissues, which can lead to compression of the sciatic nerve (that is, sciatica). If you experience pathological pain in the lower back or sacrum, you should consult a doctor at the clinic.

Pain in the legs can be pathological if combined with swelling of the hands and face and episodic visual disturbances such as flickering spots, spots and flashes before the eyes. Also, pain in the legs should be classified as pathological if there are signs of varicose veins (for example, protruding veins, spider veins, etc.). In addition, a variant of pathological pain in the legs is periodic cramps of the calf muscles, which bother many pregnant women due to a deficiency of calcium, B vitamins, etc. If cramps occur, you should strongly pull the foot towards you and hold it in this position until the pain is relieved, then massage the caviar. And to prevent seizures, it is recommended to take calcium supplements and B vitamins. In general, it is recommended that if pathological pain in the legs occurs, consult a doctor at the clinic.

At the 26th week of pregnancy, a woman may experience pain or discomfort in the anus, which is usually a sign of hemorrhoids. Accordingly, pain in the anal area is pathological, and if it occurs, you should consult a doctor. Hemorrhoids can appear even in women who have never suffered from this disease before, due to compression of the veins by the heavier uterus.

Women should also be prepared for periodic headaches, which can occur for a variety of reasons. When a headache occurs, it is advisable to simply rest in a cool and dark room - this technique in most cases leads to pain relief. However, if the headaches become persistent, often recurring, combined with blurred vision or swelling of the arms and legs, then you should consult a doctor, since such a set of symptoms indicates the development of pregnancy complications that should be treated.

Sex

If a woman feels well, there are no pregnancy complications (for example, the threat of premature birth, placenta previa, etc.), then at the 26th week of pregnancy you can have sexual intercourse. Moreover, doctors believe that sexual contact at this stage of gestation is useful, since the woman, firstly, receives pronounced satisfaction due to the increased sensitivity of the genital organs, and secondly, blood flow to the pelvic organs during orgasm has a positive effect on the blood supply to the placenta, and, consequently, to the baby.

However, it must be remembered that sexual contacts in the 26th week should take place in compliance with “safety precautions”, which implies, first of all, the rejection of sharp and rough frictions. Also, the “safety precautions” include the requirement to choose positions in which the pressure on the abdomen will be minimal, and the penetration of the penis into the vagina will not be too deep.

If a woman experiences discomfort in the genital area, sexual contact will have to be stopped.

Weight

At the 26th week, a woman’s body weight increases compared to the pre-pregnancy level by 5.0 - 8.6 kg. A range of 5.0 – 8.6 kg is considered normal weight gain, and if a woman has gained weight within the specified limits, this is due solely to the enlargement and weighting of the internal organs, and an increase in the volume of blood and fluid in the tissues. After childbirth, all organs will return to normal size, the volume of blood and fluid in the tissues will also decrease, as a result of which the weight will remain the same as it was before pregnancy. But if a woman has gained more than 8.6 kg, this means that she has also acquired fat deposits. This means that after giving birth she needs to be prepared for the fact that she has gained weight.

The range of normal weight gain at the 26th week of 5.0 - 8.6 kg is quite wide, so you need to know that the fuller a woman was before pregnancy, the less weight she should gain. In other words, initially overweight women should strive for weight gain in the 26th week in the range of 5 - 7 kg, and thin women - 7 - 8.6 kg.

Each woman can independently control her weight gain. To do this, you just need to weigh yourself weekly and calculate how many grams you have gained over the past 7 days. Normally, weekly weight gain is 350 - 500 g. Thus, if a woman gains no more than 500 g in a week, then this is normal, and if the weight increases by more than 0.5 kg, then this is a sure sign that The pregnant woman is gaining weight.

Food and alcohol

During the period of intensive growth, the fetus must receive all the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Therefore, the expectant mother must eat a varied and nutritious diet, including healthy foods such as fish, meat, offal (liver, lungs, heart, etc.), dairy products, eggs, cereals, wholemeal bread , fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs, nuts, butter and vegetable oils. It should be remembered that the entire specified list of products should be on the pregnant woman’s menu, and not just some. For example, you should not consume dairy products and cereals, while giving up meat, fish or fresh vegetables and fruits.

To ensure that food is digested well and does not cause discomfort to a woman, it is advisable to use gentle cooking methods when preparing dishes (boiling, stewing, baking and steaming). It is better to avoid fried foods, as fatty and crusty foods can cause digestive disorders, manifested by heartburn,