Written by

Gina Conley, MS

March 11, 2025

Week 26: What to Expect During Your Pregnancy

Motherhood, Pregnancy

Welcome to Week 26 of your pregnancy journey! As you move closer to the third trimester, your baby is growing rapidly and developing new abilities, while you may be experiencing new symptoms like Braxton Hicks contractions, constipation, and headaches. Here, we’ll cover what to expect for both you and your baby during this week, along with some personal insights from my own experience as I navigate my fourth pregnancy.

What's Happening with Your Baby

At 26 weeks, your baby is approximately the size of a spaghetti squash or a VHS tape (if you remember those!). Here’s a glimpse into your baby’s development:

Eyelashes & Blinking: Baby now has fully developed retinas and can open and close their eyes for the first time! While their world is still dark inside the womb, some studies suggest they may respond to light if you shine a flashlight on your belly.
Swallowing and Breathing Practice: Baby continues to swallow amniotic fluid to strengthen their digestive and respiratory systems for life outside the womb.
Developing a Sleep-Wake Cycle: You may notice baby moving at certain times of the day. If they’re active at night, this could mean you’ll have a night owl on your hands after birth!
Immune System Boost: Your placenta is transferring antibodies to your baby, helping them build their immune system before birth. If you choose to breastfeed, this will continue providing immune support after birth as well.

Changes You Might Experience

As your baby grows, your body continues to adjust. Here are some common experiences during Week 26:

1. Braxton Hicks Contractions

You may start feeling practice contractions, where your belly suddenly tightens. These don’t cause cervical dilation but serve as a way for your uterus to prepare for labor.

💡 What Can Help?
✅ Stay Hydrated – Dehydration can make Braxton Hicks contractions more frequent and uncomfortable. Drink plenty of water and electrolytes (like LMNT or coconut water).
✅ Empty Your Bladder – A full bladder can trigger contractions, so make sure to go when you need to.
✅ Rest & Relax – If you’ve been very active, take breaks to let your body recover.

👉 Gina’s Experience: I noticed an increase in Braxton Hicks contractions, especially at night, and realized dehydration was a key factor. Once I started drinking electrolytes again, they became less frequent and uncomfortable.

2. Constipation

As pregnancy hormones slow down digestion, constipation can become a frustrating issue.

💡 What Can Help?
✅ Drink More Water – Staying hydrated helps keep things moving.
✅ Increase Fiber Intake – Eat more vegetables, whole grains, and fiber supplements like Metamucil.
✅ Use a Squatty Potty – Elevating your feet while on the toilet helps align your colon for easier bowel movements.
✅ Try Hip Shifts on the Toilet – Gentle pelvic movement can relax your pelvic floor and help encourage a bowel movement.

👉 Gina’s Experience: I’ve been dealing with constipation my entire pregnancy, but found relief using a Squatty Potty, drinking more water, and doing gentle hip shifts while sitting on the toilet.

3. Headaches

Pregnancy headaches can be caused by hormonal changes, increased blood volume, stress, or dehydration.

💡 What Can Help?
✅ Hydration & Electrolytes – Again, drinking plenty of fluids can prevent dehydration-related headaches.
✅ Iron Supplements – If you’re anemic, low iron could be the culprit. Get your iron levels checked.
✅ Manage Stress & Rest More – Tension headaches are common due to pregnancy-related stress.

👉 Gina’s Experience: I haven’t had headaches this week, but hydration has been a major focus for preventing them.

My Personal Experience in Week 26

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A post shared by Gina, MS, & Roxanne, RN, BSN (@mamastefit)

Navigating the 26th week of pregnancy while already being a mother to three has been a unique journey filled with its own set of challenges and joys. Here are some more personal insights:

I have been feeling pretty good overall, but this week I have noticed:

Braxton Hicks contractions – Mainly at night, but improving with hydration.
Constipation struggles – Using movement, hydration, and the Squatty Potty to help.
Baby’s movements increasing – Still figuring out baby’s sleep-wake patterns, but noticing stronger kicks throughout the day.

I also treated myself to a Craniosacral Therapy (CST) session, which helped relieve some SI joint pain I was experiencing. This type of massage focuses on gentle adjustments and can be a great option for pregnancy-related discomfort.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gina, MS, & Roxanne, RN, BSN (@mamastefit)

Looking Ahead: Preparing for the Third Trimester

As you approach the final weeks of the second trimester, it’s time to start thinking about labor preparation and postpartum planning.

✔️ Hydration & Nutrition – Keep up with electrolytes, fiber, and iron-rich foods to support energy and prevent common symptoms.
✔️ Labor Prep Exercises – Pelvic floor relaxation and hip mobility exercises can help prepare for a smoother birth.
✔️ Tracking Baby’s Movements – Start paying attention to when your baby is most active, as this can give you clues about their routine after birth.
✔️ Prenatal Classes & Birth Plan – If you haven’t already, consider taking achildbirth education course and start discussing birth preferences with your provider.

Conclusion

Every pregnancy is unique, and Week 26 can bring its own set of experiences and challenges. It’s essential to listen to your body, take care of your mental and physical health, and prepare for the exciting changes ahead.

If you’re looking for more support during your pregnancy, consider exploring our online prenatal fitness programs and childbirth education courses. You can bundle these for additional savings!