26 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Development, Symptoms & Signs

Maybe your like

Sign UpSign Out

Getting Pregnant
Pregnancy
First Year
Toddler
Family
Baby Names
Registry
Baby Products
Community Groups
News

TopicsFertilityOvulationPreparing for PregnancyPreconception HealthInfertilitySee All Getting Pregnant TopicsRecommended Reading

What is Implantation Bleeding and When Does It Occur?Implantation bleeding can mimic period bleeding, but it could also mean that you're pregnant. Here’s how to tell whether spotting or light bleeding is a sign of pregnancy, your period or something else.

Ovulation Symptoms: 10 Signs of OvulationSigns of ovulation can include increased basal body temperature, mild cramps and more. Here's what to expect — and how to use this information to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Does a Faint Line on a Pregnancy Test Mean You're Pregnant?Taking a home pregnancy test is always a nail-biter. How accurate the results are depend a lot on when you take it and what the lines in the window reveal.

When Does Implantation Occur?Learn more about the possible signs and symptoms of implantation during pregnancy, plus when and why it happens.

How to Have a Boy or a GirlOn team blue or pink? Find out if these ways to choose baby's sex really work and whether it's a good idea to try them.Tools

Ovulation Calculator

IVF Due Date CalculatorTopicsPregnancy Week-by-WeekPregnancy SymptomsLabor & DeliveryPreparing for BabyFetal DevelopmentScreenings & TestsBaby’s Zodiac SignBaby ShowersPregnancy ComplicationsSee All Pregnancy TopicsRecommended Reading

Early Signs of PregnancyIf you’re trying to get pregnant, here’s a timeline of the early signs of pregnancy to look for, including tender breasts, fatigue, nausea and bloating.

Managing Morning Sickness and Nausea During PregnancyHere are the symptoms and causes of morning sickness, plus what you can do to relieve it.

Signs of LaborNot sure how to know if you're in labor? Look for these clues that it's almost show time!

Changes or Decreases in Fetal MovementHave your baby's movements changed? Find out what's normal and when to call the doctor.

Signs You Are Having a Boy or GirlHere are some clues to whether you're having a boy or a girl that have research behind them.

Braxton Hicks Contractions and False LaborHow to tell the difference between these false labor signs and the real deal.Tools

Pregnancy Due Date Calculator

Conception Date Calculator

Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator

Chinese Gender PredictorTopicsBaby Month-by-MonthPostpartum RecoveryNewbornsMilestonesBreastfeedingBottle-FeedingIntroducing SolidsBaby SleepVaccinesSleep SchedulesFeeding SchedulesSee All First Year TopicsRecommended Reading

When Do Baby Growth Spurts Happen?You're not imagining it! Find out what happens during baby’s growth spurts.

How to Help a Gassy BabyHere's why your baby may be gassy and infant-safe treatments for baby gas.

11 Reasons Your Baby Won't SleepSolutions to issues that may be keeping your baby from sleeping through the night.

Gripe Water for BabiesLearn about this herbal treatment for gassy, fussy infants and see if it's safe.

What is Sleep Regression?Here's when they happen, how long they last and what you can do to help baby sleep better.Tools

Baby Tracker

Birth Chart CalculatorTopicsToddler Month-by-MonthHealth and SafetyGrowth and DevelopmentFeeding Your ToddlerToddler SleepPotty TrainingActivities and PlayLearningSee All Toddler TopicsRecommended Reading

Why Is Your Toddler Waking Up Too Early and What Should You Do About It?Use these tips to adjust your early riser's sleep schedule.

How to Potty Train Your Toddler in Three DaysHeard about the 3-day potty training method? Here's how to make it work.

How to Handle Toddler Night TerrorsHere’s what these sleep episodes are and some easy ways to handle them in your child.

Why Toddlers Refuse to Eat and What to DoShe used to gobble up everything you put on her plate — but now your toddler who won’t eat.

What to Do if Your Toddler Refuses to PoopYou wait, but it's a no-go. What to do if your toddler has trouble pooping on the potty.TopicsAdoptionFamily FinancesSecond Time ParentsChildproofingMental Health in ChildrenCar SafetyTraveling With KidsRelationshipsFamily ChangesRecipesSee All Family TopicsRecommended Reading

What is the Best Age Gap Between Kids?While there’s no "ideal" age gap between children, there are things to think about.

10 Best Second Pregnancy Announcements to Celebrate Baby Number Two (or Three!)Big feelings and big siblings!

Where to Find Financial Help as a Single MomThese services provide financial aid to low- and middle-income single mothers.

Do Babies Need Passports?Everything you need to know in order to get a U.S. passport for a baby.

When Is the Best Time to Have Your Baby Shower?There's no right or wrong time to celebrate your new arrival.TopicsTop Baby Names for BoysTop Baby Names for GirlsBest Gender-Neutral NamesUncommon Baby NamesUnique Girl NamesUnique Boy NamesSee All Baby Names TopicsRecommended Reading

Top Baby Boy Names That Start With ASee the most popular baby boy names that start with the letter A.

Top Baby Girl Names That Start With JSee the most popular baby girl names that start with the letter J.

Top Baby Girl Names That Start With MSee the most popular baby girl names that start with the letter M.

Top Baby Girl Names That Start With SSee the most popular baby girl names that start with the letter S.

Top Baby Boy Names That Start With KSee the most popular baby boy names that start with the letter K.TopicsRegistry ChecklistMy RegistriesRegistry 101See All RegistryTopicsAmazon Prime DayCar SeatsMaternity ClothesNursing & FeedingDiaperingBaby MonitorsBaby CarriersBaby CareNurseryToysStrollersSee All Baby ProductsRecommended Reading

Best Baby CarriersDeciding to use a baby carrier is the easy part. Deciding which type of carrier you’ll be wearing requires a little more research.

Best Baby MonitorsFind the perfect video baby monitor, recommended by parents who've tried them.

Best Diaper BagsDiaper bags keep you organized when you're on the go with baby. Check out the best diaper bags here.

Best Baby DealsWe scoured the web for the best markdowns on brands that What to Expect parents love.

Best Car SeatsInfant car seats are essential — you won't be able to leave the hospital without a rear-facing baby car seatTools

First Trimester Must-Haves

Second Trimester Must-Haves

Third Trimester Must-HavesTopicsFeatured & PopularBirth Month GroupsGetting PregnantPregnancyFirst YearFamilyHealthStagesInternationalUnited StatesAll Groups A-ZSee All Community Groups

Sign UpSign Out

Getting PregnantRECOMMENDED READINGTOOLSPregnancyRECOMMENDED READINGTOOLSFirst YearRECOMMENDED READINGTOOLSToddlerRECOMMENDED READINGFamilyRECOMMENDED READINGBaby NamesRECOMMENDED READINGRegistryBaby ProductsRECOMMENDED READINGTOOLSCommunity GroupsNewsPregnancy > Week by Week26 Weeks PregnantYour baby is as big as a spaghetti squash.previous item next item

14 in, 2 lbs36 cm, 0.91 kg

14Weeks to go!

by Catherine Donaldson-Evans reviewed mark

Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Wu, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Our Medical Review Board includes OB/GYNs, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, doulas, lactation counselors, endocrinologists, fertility specialists and more.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. | July 29, 2025 Latest update: See more EXPLORE PREGNANCY WEEK 26

Baby development
Body changes
Common symptoms
Tips for you
Recommended products
Birth month group discussions

At 26 weeks pregnant, you're rounding the corner of the second trimester and you are almost to the third!

Your baby's beautiful eyes may open this week. And symptoms-wise, you may be struggling more with pregnancy insomnia and clumsiness as your tummy continues to grow.

Your Baby at Week 26

At a Glance

Are you making eyes at me?Your little one is getting ready to woo you now that eyelashes are growing in. Soon you'll get to see your cutie bat those babies at you! Ouch!

Ouch!Teeny tiny fingernails have arrived! Be forewarned: They can be jagged and sharp by the time your baby arrives in your arms.

Swallowing practiceYour baby-to-be continues to work hard swallowing amniotic fluid this week. This act is instrumental to healthy lung development.

26 weeks pregnant is how many months?

If you're 26 weeks pregnant, you're in month 6 of your pregnancy. Only 3 months left to go! Still have questions? Here's some more information on how weeks, months, and trimesters are broken down in pregnancy.

How big is my baby at 26 weeks?

What's up with your baby's growth this week? She now weighs a full 2 pounds and measures 14-plus inches long.

Your baby will soon be feeling a little cramped in your uterus — but not to worry, there's still plenty of space in there to grow. It just means your tiny gymnast will have less room for those somersaults, cartwheels, and other Olympic feats.

Baby’s eyes open

Look who's looking! It's your baby! Those little eyes — which have been closed for the past few months so that the retina (the part of the eye that allows images to come into focus) could develop — are beginning to open at 26 weeks pregnant.

That means your baby is able to see what's going on now, though unfortunately the view in your uterus isn't all that exciting.

But do try this at home for kicks: Shine a flashlight at your stomach. Your little peanut might kick in response — as in: "Get that light out of my eyes!"

Right now, the iris, which is the colored part of the eye, still doesn't have much pigmentation — that'll fill in over the next month or two — so it's too early to start guessing your little one's eye color.

And even the color your baby is born with might not be the permanent shade. You may be kept guessing until she's a year old, with the most dramatic changes occurring by about 6 months.

Brain-wave activity kicks in

Look what else is going on this week: Your baby's brain-wave activity is gearing up at this stage in fetal development, which means your little one can not only hear noises but can now also respond to them. Not in so many words, of course, but with an increase in pulse rate or movement.

Your Body at Week 26

Protruding navel

At 26 weeks pregnant, you're two-thirds of the way through your pregnancy and your uterus is about 2½ inches above your belly button. And speaking of your navel, have you noticed that it's taken on a life of its own — a larger-than-life life?

A newly outie belly button may not be your idea of forward fashion, especially when you have a navel piercing or when your once innie belly button now bulges through tight clothes, but it's de rigueur for the pregnant set. And it's easy to understand why.

Beginning somewhere around the middle to end of your second trimester, your blossoming uterus swells enough to push your abdomen forward, making your navel pop out like a timer on a well-done turkey — even though you have a way to go before your baby is "well-done." Your belly button should revert back to its regular position a few months after delivery — though it may have that stretched-out, "lived-in" look.

While you may need to take out your belly button piercing if it gets too tight, try to look on the bright side: It gives you a chance to clean out all the lint that's accumulated there since you were a kid.

Insomnia

If a full night's rest has become elusive, welcome to the (sleepless) world of pregnancy insomnia.

Between heartburn and leg cramps, and bathroom runs and that big beach ball (with its protruding navel!) beneath your nightie, it's no wonder your body's having trouble calming down and drifting off.

But there are lots of tactics to try that should help keep you in bed instead of pacing the floor, including getting daytime exercise, breathing in daily dose of fresh air, and limiting fluids before you hit the hay.

Baby's movements in the womb

Feel like you're carrying the Karate Kid with all the kicking going on? Your baby is actually practicing all kinds of movements that will eventually be used in life on the outside — including pedaling against your belly, a sort of pre-walking skill.

As your baby's nervous system becomes more developed, fetal movements will become much more coordinated. And as she gets bigger and stronger, those movements will become much more powerful...and occasionally, even painful to you. If your baby lands a good one, that tiny left hook might hurt — a lot.

Another trick she may try — stretching that leg out so far that the foot becomes lodged between your ribs. Next time you come under attack, try changing positions or doing some stretches of your own. You can also gently push your baby back with your hand when your knee-jerker jerks a little too hard. You just might be able to send your little slugger back into the corner of the ring!

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 26

Bloating and gas Your expanding uterus continues to put more and more pressure on your stomach and intestines, resulting in the bloating you probably feel. Minimize the problem by eating several small meals a day instead of three large ones so that you don’t overload your digestive system. Read More

Round ligament pain If the “growing pains” caused by your expanding uterus, technically called round ligament pain, are feeling particularly achy lately, get off your feet when you can and get as comfortable as possible. Also, remember to shift positions slowly so as not to aggravate the pain. Read More

Pregnancy brain Has "pregnancy brain" caused you to forget some meetings or bits of information lately? While this decrease in memory is temporary and totally normal, try writing key things down in a trusty notepad or on your phone to help you stay organized for the rest of your pregnancy. Read More

Clumsiness Your loosened joints, shifted center of gravity, and added weight are just a few of the factors that cause you to slip, trip, and fall more often than usual. This clumsiness is temporary, but for now, be extra careful in the tub, shower, and on other slippery surfaces. Read More

Migraines Some women with a history of migraines have them more often when they’re pregnant, while others get them less often. But don’t be surprised if yours flare up more these days. Since strong migraine medications are probably off-limits for now (though check with your doc), consider holistic therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, meditation, and yoga, which can also help reduce stress, a well-known migraine trigger. Read More

Blurred vision If your eyes are feeling irritated, that’s probably because pregnancy hormones decrease tear production, which leads to dry eyes. Use eye drops to ease the discomfort, and be sure to tell your practitioner if you develop serious vision problems since that could be a sign of preeclampsia. Read MoreTrack your symptoms with the My Journal tool in our free app

Tips for You This Week

Limit fluids at night

If frequent trips to the bathroom are standing between you and a good night's sleep, cut back on the amount you drink after dinnertime (just get enough fluids before then).

Drink if you're thirsty, but don't guzzle a 16-ounce bottle of water right before bed.Cook your meat well

When it comes to meat, fish, or poultry, half-baked isn't baked enough for you. Pierce your cooked chicken with a fork — if the juice comes out red, it's undercooked, so put it back in the oven and let it heat up till the fluid runs clear.

Cut through the thickest part of cooked meat and chops to make sure the middle is gray or brown with no rare spots.

And instead of searing fish and serving it rare or medium, bake, broil, grill, or poach it until it's cooked through. Better still, check the temperature with a quality meat thermometer.

Remember these "fully cooked" temps of some family favorites:

Whole chicken and turkey: 165 degrees Fahrenheit
Beef, veal, lamb, and pork roasts, chops, and steaks: 145 degrees F
Chicken breasts: 165 degrees F
Ground chicken and turkey: 165 degrees F
Ground beef, veal, lamb, and pork: 160 degrees F
Fish: 145 degrees F
Precooked ham: 140 degrees F

Say no to old-school cribs

Putting the nursery together is super exciting, but remember: Safety first. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets strict standards for crib manufacturers and retailers.

These requirements include stronger mattress supports and crib slats, extremely durable crib hardware, and rigorous safety testing.

Also: The CPSC put an end to manufacturing and selling dangerous drop-side cribs. So avoid buying that vintage (read: discontinued) drop-side crib — it poses a risk to your newborn.Baby, let's move!

You know that getting light to moderate exercise throughout pregnancy is good for you (assuming your doctor has given you the green light). But once you start feeling baby kick, you may find yourself with a little workout buddy every time you go for a walk, do some laps in the pool, or hit the gym.

Be aware that every baby in utero responds differently to Mom's exercise routine, however. Some may be lulled to sleep by the movement, while others might seem to start a workout of their own — "Look, I can kickbox too!"

Talk to your practitioner about what intensity level is right for you and your tiny fitness partner, and what kind of fetal movement you can expect during and after your exercise session.Make a mocktail

Feeling festive? Even if you can’t pour one out yet, you can still cheers to a good time with a mocktail — a cocktail minus the alcohol.

For a double dose of vitamin C, combine a handful of ice with a cup of grapefruit juice, juice from half of a lime,¼ cup of chilled filtered water, and 1 teaspoon of maple syrup in a cocktail shaker, and shake well.

To serve, add five to six ice cubes to a glass, pour in the mocktail, and garnish with a slice of lime.Practice good posture for that sore back

Between your burgeoning belly and your aching back, it isn't always easy to stand up … never mind stand up straight.

But try to resist the tendency to thrust your hips and stomach forward and throw your shoulders back when you're walking, as that could exacerbate those pregnancy pains.

Instead, aim for a straight line between your shoulders and your hips when you're up and about — and to see what that feels like, back up against a wall. While you're at it, do some standing pelvic tilts. Sit smart by putting a pillow behind your lower back for support.

As your bump grows, you’ll likely have more lower back and pelvic pain. Belly support bands can really help, though you might have to experiment to find the right one. Later in pregnancy, you might even benefit from one with shoulder straps.Safely manage skin problems

Pregnancy can cause some pretty wacky complexion complexities (thank you, hormones!) — from excessive oiliness to excessive dryness (or both), or acne to blotchiness. More strangely, melasma, a patchy skin discoloration, could crop up.

If pimples are the problem, wash your face two to three times a day with a thorough but gentle cleanser — harsh ones will only leave skin more open to irritation.

Exfoliate very gently too, about once a week, and finish off with an oil-free moisturizer. Overly stripped skin is more prone to breakouts. Medical Reviewed Reviewed July 29, 2025

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.View Sources

What to Expect When You’re Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
WhatToExpect.com, When Will Your Baby's Eyes Change Color?, June 2021.
WhatToExpect.com, Crib Safety, july 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, The Best Pregnancy Workouts and Exercises You Can Do While Expecting, July 2021.
WhatToExpect.com, When Can You Feel Your Baby Move and Kick?, February 2023.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy, December 2021.
Mayo Clinic, Fetal Development: The 2nd Trimester, June 2022.
National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Fetal Development, July 2021.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health, Stages of Pregnancy, February 2021.
American Academy of Pediatrics, What Color Will My Baby's Eyes Be?, July 2021.
Zero to Three, When Does the Fetus’s Brain Begin to Work?, May 2021.
National Sleep Foundation, Pregnancy and Sleep, March 2023.
Stanford Children’s Health, Headaches in Early Pregnancy.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Migraine Headaches During Pregnancy, 2021.
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Safe Sleep – Cribs and Infant Products , 2021.
FoodSafety.gov, Cook to a Safe Minimum Internal Temperature, September 2023
FoodSafety.gov, Food Safety by Type of Food, April 2019.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Four Steps to Food Safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill, August 2023.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Exercise During Pregnancy, March 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, Insomnia During Pregnancy, November 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, Clumsiness During Pregnancy, September 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, How Many Weeks, Months and Trimesters in a Pregnancy?, May 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, When Your Baby Can Hear in the Womb, June 2021.
WhatToExpect.com, How Your Belly Button Changes During Pregnancy, November 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, Best and Worst Drinks for Pregnant Women, June 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy, November 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, 5 Delicious Mocktail Recipes Perfect for Pregnancy, October 2021.
WhatToExpect.com, Back Pain During Pregnancy, January 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, How to Do Pelvic Tilt Exercises During Pregnancy, December 2021.
WhatToExpect.com, Melasma (Mask of Pregnancy), March 2023.
WhatToExpect.com, What to Do About Bloating During Pregnancy, February 2021.
WhatToExpect.com, "Pregnancy Brain" or Forgetfulness During Pregnancy, August 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, Migraines During Pregnancy, October 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, Do You Have Blurry Vision During Pregnancy?, January 2023.
WhatToExpect.com, Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy, May 2023.
WhatToExpect.com, Insomnia During Pregnancy, November 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, Clumsiness During Pregnancy, September 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, How Many Weeks, Months and Trimesters in a Pregnancy?, May 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, When Your Baby Can Hear in the Womb, June 2021.
WhatToExpect.com, How Your Belly Button Changes During Pregnancy, November 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, Best and Worst Drinks for Pregnant Women, June 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy, November 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, 5 Delicious Mocktail Recipes Perfect for Pregnancy, October 2021.
WhatToExpect.com, Back Pain During Pregnancy, January 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, How to Do Pelvic Tilt Exercises During Pregnancy, December 2021.
WhatToExpect.com, Melasma (Mask of Pregnancy), March 2023.
WhatToExpect.com, What to Do About Bloating During Pregnancy, February 2021.
WhatToExpect.com, "Pregnancy Brain" or Forgetfulness During Pregnancy, August 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, Migraines During Pregnancy, October 2022.
WhatToExpect.com, Do You Have Blurry Vision During Pregnancy?, January 2023.
WhatToExpect.com, Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy, May 2023.

Recommended Products

What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members of our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.6 Stretch Mark Creams Moms-to-Be Can’t Stop Buying (and Derms Approve, Too) View All Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion See Now Opens a new window

⚠️ You can't see this cool product because you have ad block enabled.

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. ad block enabled Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream See Now Opens a new window Burt's Bees Mama Belly Butter See Now Opens a new window

⚠️ You can't see this cool product because you have ad block enabled.

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. ad block enabled Trofolastin See Now Opens a new window Bio-Oil Skincare Oil See Now Opens a new window 6 Stretch Mark Creams Moms-to-Be Can’t Stop Buying (and Derms... View All Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage LotionSee NowOpens a new window

⚠️ You can't see this cool product because you have ad block enabled.

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. ad block enabled Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum CreamSee NowOpens a new window Burt's Bees Mama Belly ButterSee NowOpens a new window

⚠️ You can't see this cool product because you have ad block enabled.

Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. ad block enabled TrofolastinSee NowOpens a new window Bio-Oil Skincare OilSee NowOpens a new window

What Other April 2026 Moms Are Talking About

fBest FTM advice you ever got?Last updated 4 days ago118posts gwhat do we need for postpartum ? Last updated 6 days ago43posts RTell me you’re pregnant without telling me you’re pregnant…..Last updated 10 days ago32posts join topic

There are 9,968 active discussions happening now with other April 2026 parents-to-be. Join in Recommended Reading

Does Your Toddler Know You’re Pregnant Before You Do?
12 Gorgeous Winter Maternity Photos
⚠️ You can't see this cool content because you have ad block enabled.
Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.
Here's What a "Centering Pregnancy" Is and Why It's Popular With Some Moms
12 Cute Pregnancy Announcements to Celebrate Your Bundle of Joy
From Frizz to Fabulous: The Real Deal on Pregnancy Hair Changes
What Is a Doula and Should You Hire One for Your Baby's Birth?