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Second trimester

26 weeks pregnant

At 26 weeks you are nearing the end of the second trimester. Your baby's eyes are starting to open, fingerprints are forming, and the lungs are developing air sacs but are not yet mature. Leg cramps, tiredness and feeling a little clumsy are common.

This page covers 26 weeks 0 days to 26 weeks 6 days (26+0 to 26+6), counted from the first day of the last period. Check how far along you are

Enter it to see the calendar dates of your week 26.

Botanical illustration of a red cabbage

About the size of a red cabbage

Typical estimated weight 915 g (2 lb 0 oz) at 26+0, about 1.03 kg (2 lb 4 oz) by 26+6. This is the 50th centile; healthy babies commonly vary by about 12.7% either way.1

A reference value, not a measurement of your baby.

How your baby is developing

  • Your baby's eyes are well developed, and around 26 to 28 weeks they begin to open, with blinking to follow.2,3,4
  • Tiny air sacs are appearing in the lungs, but the lungs are not yet ready for life outside the womb.3
  • Between about 26 and 30 weeks, the lungs begin making surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs fill with air after birth.3,4
  • Fingerprints and footprints are forming, and your baby may startle at loud noises.3
  • There is a lot of activity inside the bump at this stage, and many people feel frequent kicks and movements.2

Changes you may notice

Everyone’s experience is different. You may notice some of these, or none.

  • You may feel more tired and a bit clumsy, as the extra weight and a shifted center of gravity affect your balance. Allowing extra time for everyday tasks can help.2
  • Leg cramps may become more frequent, especially at night. Pulling your toes upward or rubbing the sore muscle may ease them.2
  • Some people notice forgetfulness, often called baby brain. It is not a medical condition and has not been scientifically proven, and it may be linked to tiredness and having a lot on your mind.2
  • Other symptoms that may continue include backache, heartburn, constipation, swollen hands and feet, nosebleeds and round ligament pain.2

Care around this week

  • If you're worried that your baby's movements have slowed down, changed or stopped, contact your midwife, provider or maternity unit straight away. Don't wait for the next day or your next appointment.2,5
  • Gestational diabetes screening is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks, so if you haven't been screened yet it is likely to come up soon.6
  • In the US, the Tdap (whooping cough) vaccine is recommended during weeks 27 through 36 of each pregnancy, preferably early in that window. In the UK, the whooping cough vaccine is usually offered around 20 weeks and can be given from 16 weeks, ideally before 32 weeks; ask your midwife if you haven't had it.7,8

Questions to ask your provider

  • When can I get the Tdap or whooping cough vaccine?
  • Have I been screened for gestational diabetes yet, and if not, when will I be?
  • What can I do about leg cramps at night?
  • How should I contact the maternity unit if I'm worried about movements out of hours?
When to contact your provider straight away

Call 911 (US) or 999 (UK) in an emergency, such as heavy bleeding or bleeding with severe pain, a seizure, chest pain, or severe trouble breathing.9,10,11,12

These symptoms are not always serious, but each one needs prompt advice from your provider, midwife or maternity unit (or NHS 111 in the UK if you cannot reach them) rather than waiting for your next appointment, and it helps to tell them you are pregnant.

  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting at any stage of pregnancy. Call 911 or 999 if the bleeding is heavy or comes with severe belly pain, shoulder pain, or feeling faint or dizzy.11,13
  • Fluid leaking or gushing from your vagina, or discharge that is unusual for you. Get checked straight away if the fluid is greenish, colored or smells bad.11,12,14,15
  • Your baby moving less than usual, not moving, or a change in their usual pattern of movements. Call immediately, even in the middle of the night, and do not use a home Doppler to check yourself.5,11
  • A severe headache that does not go away with simple painkillers or gets worse, or sudden changes in your vision such as blurring or seeing flashing lights.9,11,12
  • Sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet, or swelling, redness or pain in a leg.9,11,12
  • Belly pain that is severe or does not go away after resting, or pain just below the ribs.9,11,16
  • Regular tightenings or contractions, period-type pains, or backache that is unusual for you before 37 weeks, which can be signs of preterm labor.15,16
  • A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or feeling hot, cold or shivery.11,12,15
  • Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly or happens when you lie flat, chest pain, a racing or pounding heart, or dizziness or fainting.11,12
  • Very itchy skin, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, or itching that is worse at night.17
  • Being sick so often that you cannot keep food or drink down, or signs of dehydration such as dark urine, peeing very little, or feeling dizzy.11,18
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. Get help right away, and call 911 or 999 if you think you might act on them.11,19

Questions about 26 weeks

Can my baby open their eyes at 26 weeks?

Around this time, the eyes begin to open for the first time. Sources differ slightly on the exact week, but opening and blinking usually develop between about 26 and 28 weeks.2,3,4

Are all babies born with blue eyes?

No, that is a myth. Eye color depends on the parents' genes, brown is very common, and eye color has usually settled by about age 3.2

Is baby brain real?

Many people say they feel more forgetful in pregnancy, but baby brain is not a medical condition and has not been scientifically proven. Tiredness and having a lot on your mind may play a part.2

Sources

  1. In utero analysis of fetal growth: a sonographic weight standardRadiology 181(1):129–133, 1991
  2. 26 weeks pregnant guideNHS Best Start in Life
  3. Fetal developmentUS National Library of Medicine
  4. Fetal development: stages of growthCleveland Clinic
  5. Your baby's movementsNHS (England)
  6. Practice Bulletin No. 190: Gestational Diabetes MellitusAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2018
  7. Tdap Vaccination for Pregnant WomenUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  8. Vaccinations in pregnancyNHS (England)
  9. Pre-eclampsiaNHS (England)
  10. Epilepsy and pregnancyNHS (England)
  11. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms (Hear Her campaign)US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  12. Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help forNHS (England)
  13. Vaginal bleeding in pregnancyNHS (England)
  14. Signs of going into labourNHS Best Start in Life
  15. Premature labour and birthNHS (England)
  16. Stomach pain in pregnancyNHS (England)
  17. Itching in pregnancyNHS (England)
  18. Severe vomiting in pregnancyNHS (England)
  19. Depression in pregnancyNHS (England)

Links checked November 12, 2026. Citing a source does not mean it endorses this site.

Written from the sources above and checked against them on 2026-11-12. Not reviewed by a clinician. Our editorial policy