Which trimester is 26 weeks

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! Registering and shopping for baby stuff can be a little overwhelming — but it's a lot of fun too.

Consult baby product reviews and seasoned parents in your life before adding things at random. They can help point you in the right direction and steer you clear of things you really don't need. 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.

Putting the nursery together is super exciting, but remember: safety first. The U. 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. 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. Clean up in the kitchen.

That goes for your hands first and foremost, and also for your dish towels, countertops and sponges — everything that's even remotely a part of the food-prep process, including the food itself. Be extra vigilant about this when handling raw meats, eggs, poultry or fish — wash your hands with warm, soapy water before, during and after you touch these foods, and be sure to clean the utensils, cutting board and towels you handled along the way. Wash fruits and veggies thoroughly before eating them, even the ones you intend to peel.

The one exception to the wash-before-using rule: Don't rinse raw meat or poultry. You won't be washing off the bacteria — only cooking can eliminate that — but you will be splashing the bacteria all over the sink and countertop. 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. When preparing eggs, cook until the whites have set firmly and the yolks have begun to thicken.

And never eat salad dressings, sauces or mousse-type desserts made with raw eggs unless you're using the pasteurized variety. Also, resist the temptation to eat raw cookie dough or cake batter. Braxton Hicks contractions. Notice your belly occasionally feeling really tight?

Yep, already. Braxton Hicks might be more noticeable for women who are 26 weeks pregnant with twins. Higher blood pressure. A slight boost in blood pressure is normal at 26 weeks pregnant. If your doctor sees too high of a boost, though, they might have you monitored more closely. These potentially dangerous pregnancy complications would need to be addressed right away. Take an in-person or virtual tour of your maternity ward Preregister with the hospital Communicate with baby.

Watch These Videos Next:. Article saved. Have a look at the NHS website for information on your baby's movements during pregnancy. You may be getting more leg cramps now, particularly during the night when you really want to sleep. Try doing foot and ankle exercises.

Just pulling your toes upwards could help, or rubbing the muscle where it hurts. Are you getting a bit more… what's the word… forgetful? If you keep losing your keys, and then finding them in the fridge, then you could have what some people refer to as 'baby brain' or 'mumnesia'. This is not a medical condition, or scientifically proven, it's just something that some pregnant women report. It is probably caused by tiredness and having lots of things on your mind.

Tommy's the baby charity has produced a pregnancy guide with a further list of symptoms. Your baby, or foetus, is around That's approximately the size of small marrow, and the weight of six large carrots.

Around now, your baby's eyes will be opening for the first time and the next trick will be to learn how to blink. The eyes will probably be blue now, but that could easily change. It's a myth that all babies are born with blue eyes — the colour will depend on the parents' genetics, and brown is very common.

You won't know the permanent colour for a while, as they can keep on changing right into adulthood. However they will have probably settled on a colour by the time your baby's three. Check out what benefits you're entitled to, as you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance from now on. This is usually paid out if you don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay. Find out what benefits you and your partner could claim.

You have maternity rights and if you're worried about your safety at work, then talk to your employer. You shouldn't be lugging anything around, and you may need extra breaks and somewhere to sit. You can also attend antenatal appointments during paid work time. It's a good time to tone up those muscles 'down under'.

Gentle exercises can help to prevent leakage when you laugh, sneeze, cough or jump around on your future baby's trampoline. Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page. Now's the perfect time to take one last trip before your baby's born. See what moms wish they'd known about planning the perfect babymoon. In addition to a childbirth class , you may want to take classes on baby care, breastfeeding, and infant CPR. Many hospitals offer these, and you can also ask your provider for a recommendation.

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Prenatal development: How your baby grows during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Mayo Clinic.