Pregnancy Week 26

Pregnancy Week 26: What to Expect This Week

At Pregnancy Week 26, you’re edging closer to the third trimester—and chances are, you’re feeling it. Your bump may be making everyday things (like putting on socks or getting out of a car) mildly athletic. And your baby? They’re doing impressive things in there.

Let’s take a look at what’s going on this week.

Baby at Pregnancy Week 26

Your baby is now around 35.5cm long and weighs close to 900g—think spring onion crossed with a small roast chicken (don’t think too hard).

Inside the womb this week:

Baby’s eyes are starting to open, although vision is still blurry

Their ears are more developed, and they can hear your voice and heartbeat

They’re practising breathing movements—even though it’s amniotic fluid for now

Brain and nerve pathways are maturing fast

Their movements might feel more rhythmic—some babies even get hiccups!

Fun fact: If you shine a light on your belly, baby might wriggle in response. A party trick you didn’t know you had.

Your Symptoms at Pregnancy Week 26

As your uterus keeps expanding, you might be experiencing:

Backache or hip discomfort

Braxton Hicks contractions—your uterus is getting ready

Frequent toilet trips (baby is leaning on your bladder like it’s a beanbag)

Tiredness—still hanging around from the first trimester? Welcome back

Leaky boobs or darker nipples—your body’s preparing for feeding

Stretch marks may start appearing now (not just on your belly—hips, thighs and boobs are all fair game)

Top tip: Keep your skin comfortable with our Pregnancy Massage Oil—designed to support stretching skin without the synthetic fragrance overload.

What to Do at Pregnancy Week 26

You’re getting closer to that third trimester—here’s what to focus on this week:

Check if your 28-week appointment is booked
Browse antenatal classes so you can start next week or the one after
Take time to rest if your body’s asking for it—sleep may already be harder
Talk about birth plans or preferences with your partner or support team
Pick up any must-haves you’ve been eyeing—shopping now is comfier than waddling later

Honest Midwife Thoughts

At Pregnancy Week 26, many people feel a mix of excitement and nerves. You’re far enough in that the finish line is in sight—but close enough that labour starts to feel a little real.

This is a great point to start thinking ahead. Not in a “have your hospital bag packed” way, but in a “what do I want to know before I give birth?” kind of way.

Start getting informed, not overwhelmed. You don’t need to know everything—just enough to feel calm, clear, and capable. That’s what we’re here for.

Feeling Ready? Join Us for a Class

Here’s what we recommend this week:

Hypnobirthing Course – our full 4-week live course is ideal to start now
Natural Labour & Birth (Free Class) – the honest overview of what labour looks like and how to work with it
Stretch Mark Oil or Thankful Ankle Oil – give your bump and feet some well-earned TLC

All our classes are live on Zoom, midwife-led, friendly, and totally free from judgement.

Explore and book here

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