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Congratulations! |
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You are in
Week 26 of Your Pregnancy |
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Size: 14.02 inches
Weight: 1.68 Pounds
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| Your baby now wakes and sleeps and its skin is slightly wrinkled. |
Your Baby
By this time your baby has a pretty good chance of surviving outside the womb. The eyes open and the retina form different layers which can sense light levels and send messages to the brain. Also, the once smooth surface of the brain starts to form grooves and indentations.
You
Your uterus is now the size of a soccer ball, and your baby's kicking like a pro! Have you felt any tightening or squeezing around your uterus? If so, you may be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. These intermittent contractions are a way of helping your body prepare for labor. If you are contracting more regularly, though--every 10 minutes or more than 6 times per hour--you may be in pre-term labor. Call your doctor right away if you are experiencing these types of contractions or any of the following symptoms:
--Menstrual-like cramping--You may or may not be uncomfortable with these cramps that feel like menstrual cramps.
--Gas-type pains--Sharp pains in your stomach, diarrhea or nausea may be a sign of trouble.
--Low pelvic pressure--You may feel like the baby is putting a lot of pressure down very low inside.
--Low backache--You may have a very strong ache in your lower back or could just feel a dull ache in that area.
--Blood from your vagina--Light spotting or a significant amount of blood should be reported to the doctor right away. Blood can be red or brown in color.
--Increased discharge from your vagina--Much more discharge than what you are used to during your pregnancy can be a sign of preterm labor. A sudden gush of a lot of water, or a small trickle that is continuous should also be reported to the doctor. Discharge can be watery, pinkish, or brownish in color.
(Source: The National Women's Health Organization)
