My baby is growing really fast now and they're starting to listen more to what's going on outside. Although I start to feel a little cramped, many mums particularly enjoy this time, when they have got a proud bump to show off but before things get uncomfortable.
I should be reaping the benefits of my pregnancy now: healthy skin, shiny hair and nails and a renewed energy.
Here are the pregnancy symptoms for week 26:
With my baby gaining weight, my own nutrition during pregnancy is very important; I tried including plenty of grains and vegetables in a varied, healthy diet. I start to feel the impact of all that growth, with some niggles, aches and pains. As my womb expands, it can lift up my ribs, constricting my lungs and making me feel a bit out of breath. As I get heavier, simple ankle and leg exercises will improve my circulation and may help prevent muscle cramps.
This week my baby measures 36cm, the length of a large cucumber. Their hearing is developing swiftly and they will be listening to the beat of my heart and the gurgling of my stomach. Try encouraging your partner or any older siblings to talk to your baby as they can recognise other voices if they hear them often enough. My baby is likely to weigh in at around 760g now, and their skin is becoming increasingly opaque. They will be practicing their breathing, inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, getting ready for those first gulps of air. Their eyes are pretty much fully developed, opening and able to sense when it's light.
I have started my pregnancy classes; they are a great source for information and helped provide me with tips about the birth and the early days of being a parent.
