Pregnancy: 26 weeks

How the child grows:

Your baby's ears are more sensitive now than before, and he can hear your voice and hear you talking to your partner. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These breathing movements are good practice before his first real breath. He's also continuing to gain weight, weighing 750 grams and measuring 36 cm. If it's a boy, his testicles will begin to descend into his scrotum, a process that will take about two to three days.

Important: Each baby's development is unique. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of fetal development.

Changes in the expectant mother

Are you attending classes for expectant mothers, preparing a room for the baby and at the same time performing all your daily duties? Make sure that you do not sacrifice proper rest and nutrition, for you this is very important.

Preeclampsia is a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure and increased amounts of protein in the urine, most often detected after 37 weeks. Call your doctor if you have swelling of your face or eyes, excessive swelling of your arms or legs, or rapid weight gain (more than 2 kg per week). If preeclampsia is more severe, you may also have: severe or persistent headache, vision problems, severe pain in the upper abdomen, or vomiting.

If you have been suffering from lower back pain lately, it may be due to the growing uterus, which causes the center of gravity to shift, stretching and weakening the abdominal muscles, and pressure on the nerve endings, which also contributes to the weakening of joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight that your muscles and joints feel contributes to a deterioration in well-being by the end of the day. A warm bath or hot compress will help relieve pain and fatigue. Are your legs tired? "To relieve tired legs, put them in a basin of warm water with a few drops of scented oil and enjoy" - Anonymous

Birth plan

Planning your birth will give you and your partner the opportunity to discuss in detail all the nuances of the process of bringing your long-awaited baby into the world.

In a recent BabyCenter birth plan survey, 54 percent of respondents said their birth plan was different from their labor. If you decide to write down your wishes, do so. You might include, for example, "I want the most natural birth possible, so please do not offer me pain medication or other pain relief unless necessary." Or, "I would like my labor to be relatively painless, so please give me an epidural as soon as possible."

What you need to consider when writing a birth plan:

• Do you want a drug-free birth or do you rely on an epidural?
• Do you want the birth to take place only in the presence of doctors and your partner, or would you like to see other family members or friends? Do you agree to have medical students present during the birth?
• Would you like to have a mirror in the delivery room so that you can see your baby being born?
• Would you like music playing or dim lighting during labor?
• Do you want your partner to cut the umbilical cord?
• Are you planning to breastfeed?
• Do you want your child to be with you 24/7?
• Do you need a private room?

This week's activity: Discuss some personal issues. You and your partner need to decide whether you would like to circumcise your son. If so, will it be a religious ceremony? How long do you plan to stay on maternity leave? These are just a few examples of the issues you will need to decide, so it is best to speak your mind openly to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

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