Pregnancy Week 26

The baby is now about 14 inches long and around two pounds. The big development is that the eyes have finally opened and the retinas are forming. Babies may be born with blue or gray-blue or dark eyes, however the color can change up to the first six months of life. The baby is now responding to touch more, and the movements are becoming more and more coordinated as the nervous system fine-tunes. However, all those baby gymnastics can become uncomfortable, or even painful at times for mom. To deal, trying changing your position or stretching, and if that's unsuccessful, gently push with the heel of your hand. The lungs are developing and all the swallowing of amniotic fluid helps with that development. Baby boy's testicles are now descending into the scrotum.

Pregnancy Symptoms You May Feel During Week 26

At this point in the pregnancy, you've probably gained in the 16-22 pound range. One common complaint of pregnancy, constipation, leads directly to another in this case, hemorrhoids. To combat this problem, try to drink plenty of water, never strain with bowel movement and eat a balanced diet. Sometimes the iron in the pregnancy vitamins can cause constipation. If you think that might be a culprit for you, talk to your doctor about whether you should switch vitamins or take a gentle stool softener safe for pregnant women.

Another common complaint at this point in the pregnancy is Braxton Hicks contractions. These are not painful but can be jarring if you aren't sure what they are or what they mean. It's just your uterus gearing up for the big day. You can differentiate between them and the real thing by being aware of how regular the contractions are and if they are becoming harder or closer together. Braxton Hicks are irregular and do not peak. Talk to your doctor about how to know when the real ones are upon you.

Visit With the Obstetrician

One test that you will need in the pregnancy is one to check for Rh factor in your blood. Everyone is either Rh negative or positive. The majority, about 85%, are Rh positive. However, if you are in the smaller group of Rh negative, you will need to take a few simple steps to ensure a safe pregnancy and healthy baby. You will receive a special shot around this point of the pregnancy. You'll get another once you've delivered the baby, or if anything occurs in the pregnancy where blood between you and the fetus might be in contact. Your doctor will explain what types of situations would require additional shots. At one time having Rh negative blood meant a dire circumstance for subsequent pregnancies, but that's no longer the case.

Preparing for Baby

Cord blood is the blood that is stored in the umbilical cord, which is typically thrown out, but rich in stem cells. These stem cells can be used to treat a number of inherited diseases, especially types of leukemia. Saving cord blood is a painless simple procedure which poses no risk to baby or mother. However, the process to bank it is not cheap. Expect prices to range from one to two thousand dollars initially, then about 0 each year. Only deal with facilities accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks. If you cannot afford to bank it, consider donating the cord blood to help others. It's a pretty simple process and could save lives.

Pregnancy Lifestyle

Eating a balanced diet is only one issue in healthy eating. There are also some foods pregnant women are best to avoid. One is raw meat, due to concerns about food borne diseases. However, many pregnant women don't realize that deli meats can cause the illness listeria, which is dangerous to mom and baby. You should also avoid seafood known to be high in mercury, such as shark, swordfish, mackerel, and tuna only in moderation. Smoked seafood should also be avoided.

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