You and your baby at 26 weeks pregnant

Your baby at 26 weeks

The baby's eyelids open for the first time around now and they will soon start blinking. It's not until some weeks after the birth that your baby's eyes become the colour they will stay.

You at 26 weeks

Pregnancy and birth can weaken the muscles of the pelvic floor and you may notice you leak pee when you cough, sneeze or strain your stomach muscles.

Your pelvic floor is made up of layers of muscles inside your body that stretch like a hammock from the pubic bone (in front) to the end of the spine.

Pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen the muscles so they work better.

Things to think about at 26 weeks

Find out if you're getting all the vitamins and minerals you need.

You can download a birth plan template to fill in and save, stating your preferences for labour and birth, such as pain relief, and the positions you would like to be in.

You should have had the whooping cough vaccination at around 20 weeks of pregnancy – ask your midwife or GP if you have not had yours yet.

To give your baby the best protection against whooping cough, you should have the vaccine before 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Read about travelling safely in pregnancy.

Massaging your perineum (the area between your vagina and anus) from 35 weeks of pregnancy can reduce the chance of tearing, needing a cut (episiotomy), and postnatal perineal pain in those having their first vaginal birth.

Varicose veins are common in pregnancy – find out about common health problems in pregnancy.

Start4Life has more about you and your baby at 26 weeks pregnant

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