Week 26

If you’re in the 26th week of pregnancy, you only have one more week to go until you reach the third and final trimester.¹

Symptoms continually fluctuate and change throughout pregnancy. However, pregnancy-related insomnia affects over a third of pregnant women and birthing people. Discomfort due to physical changes, hormones, foetal movement, and emotional wellbeing, can all contribute.²

If you are struggling with insomnia and feeling like it is affecting your mental wellbeing, speak with your healthcare provider about what support is available to you.

• Bloating and gas
• Pelvic, back and round ligament pain
• Oedema (swelling, particularly hands and ankles)
• Tingling hands or carpal tunnel syndrome
• Leg cramps and restless leg syndrome
• Blurred vision
• Skin changes (such as oiliness, dryness, acne, blotchiness, or patchy skin discoloration)
• Bleeding gums
• Migraines
• Forgetfulness “pregnancy-brain”
• Increased urination
• Foetal movement

From 26 weeks, your baby will be measuring around 36 cm and weighing just under 1 kg.

During week 26, eye development is now complete, which means that your baby will now start to open their eyes and can even detect and respond to light.

• Consistently taking folic acid is recommended,³ or if you haven’t already, consider taking a prenatal supplement that has the recommended amounts of vitamin A and D, iron and calcium⁴ which will also help support your oral health⁵
• Book your routine dental check up to help support your oral health during pregnancy⁵
• Staying active and keeping a healthy weight can help support overall health⁶
• Try to avoid alcohol consumption and smoking – both are known as risk factors for miscarriage^7,8
• Nourish your body with pregnancy-safe foods. Try to avoid foods high in mercury, such as mackerel and tuna, raw seafood, undercooked meat, poultry and eggs, unpasteurised foods and cheese with a mould rind such as brie, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and any type of herbal tea⁹
• Ensure any meat, fish or poultry is fully cooked through¹     
  As a guide:¹     
  Chicken or turkey (whole, ground, or breast): 74 °C/165 °F     
  Beef, veal, lamb, and pork roasts, chops, and steaks: 63 °C/145 °F     
  Ground beef, veal, lamb, and pork: 71 °C/160 °F     
  Fish: 63 °C/145 °F     
  Precooked ham: 60 °C/140 °F 
• Limit caffeine consumption to no more than 200 mg per day¹⁰     
  As a guide:     
  1 mug of coffee contains 100 mg of caffeine     
  1 mug of tea contains 75 mg of caffeine     
  1 can of cola contains up to 40 mg of caffeine     
  1 bar of chocolate contains up to 50 mg of caffeine