At 26 weeks pregnant, your baby weighs approximately 760 grams (1.7 lbs) and measures about 35.6 cm (14 inches) from head to toe — roughly the size of a head of lettuce. This is the week your baby opens their eyes for the first time. After months with sealed lids, the eyes are now capable of opening, blinking, and detecting light through the uterine wall.
You're nearing the end of the second trimester. Week 27 is the last full week before the third trimester begins. If you haven't yet, review what happened in week 25.
Track your timeline with our Due Date Calculator.
Key Takeaways
- Your baby opens their eyes for the first time at 26 weeks and can detect light
- Baby weighs approximately 760 g (1.7 lbs) and measures about 35.6 cm (14 inches)
- The glucose screening test (GCT) for gestational diabetes is typically done between weeks 24–28
- Week 26 is the last full week of the second trimester — the third trimester starts at week 28
- Start familiarizing yourself with your baby's movement patterns now as a baseline for kick counting
Your Baby This Week
Size: Head of lettuce — about 35.6 cm (head to toe)
Weight: About 760 grams
Your baby is closing in on the 800-gram mark. Key developments at 26 weeks:
- The eyes are open. Eyelids have been developing for months, and this week the fused lids separate. The eyes can open and close, and the pupils can react to light. The iris is still mostly unpigmented, so eye color at birth often differs from the final color, which sets in months later.
- The visual cortex is active. The brain regions responsible for processing visual information are developing. Even though the baby can't see a detailed image, the neural pathways for vision are forming and beginning to function.
- Immune system development continues. Your baby is receiving antibodies through the placenta, a process that will intensify in the third trimester. According to the AAP, these maternal antibodies provide passive immunity that helps protect the newborn in the first months of life.
- Testosterone production in male fetuses. If you're expecting a boy, the testes have descended into the scrotum by around this week, and testosterone levels are high.
- Brain development: The cortex is developing its characteristic folds and grooves, massively increasing its surface area. More cortical surface area means more processing capacity.
- Breathing practice continues. The baby makes rhythmic chest movements that mimic breathing, drawing amniotic fluid in and out to develop the respiratory muscles.
Your Body This Week
- The third trimester is one week away. You may be feeling the weight of it now — literally and emotionally. The belly is growing faster, and many people begin noticing more fatigue returning.
- Trouble finding a comfortable sleep position. The left side is generally recommended from mid-pregnancy onward to optimize blood flow to the uterus and kidneys, per WHO antenatal care guidelines. A full-length or U-shaped pregnancy pillow can make side-sleeping dramatically more comfortable.
- Rib pain. As the uterus expands, it can push up into the lower ribs, causing persistent discomfort or sharp pain on one or both sides. Sitting up straight and taking deep breaths can help. The pain typically resolves once the baby drops lower in the pelvis later in pregnancy.
- Skin changes. The belly skin is stretching significantly now. Itchiness, tightness, and new stretch marks are common. Keeping the skin moisturized doesn't prevent stretch marks, but it does help with itching.
- Increased Braxton Hicks. Practice contractions are normal and harmless, according to ACOG. They tend to increase with physical activity, dehydration, or a full bladder.
- Possible shortness of breath. As the uterus rises, it reduces lung capacity. Short-term breathlessness when exerting yourself is common, but sudden or severe shortness of breath at rest should be evaluated promptly.
Tips for Week 26
1. Start a kick count log. Many providers recommend beginning formal fetal movement monitoring around 28 weeks, but familiarizing yourself with your baby's patterns now gives you a useful baseline. Your baby has active and quiet periods — get to know them.
2. Use bright light as stimulation. Shining a flashlight on your belly may elicit a fetal response now that the eyes are open. Some babies will move toward or away from the light. It's a low-tech, harmless way to interact.
3. Review your birth preferences. If you've been drafting a birth plan, now is a good time to refine it and share it with your provider. Discuss any preferences about pain management, monitoring, and who you want present during labor.
4. Check your iron and vitamin D levels. Ask your provider to include these at your next blood draw if not already done. Iron-deficiency anemia and vitamin D deficiency are both common in the third trimester and both have manageable solutions.
5. Take your glucose test if not done. ACOG recommends universal screening for gestational diabetes between 24–28 weeks. If you haven't had it yet, contact your provider this week.
When to Call Your Doctor
- Decreased fetal movement. By week 26, you should be feeling consistent movement every day. If your baby has been active and you notice significantly less movement, call your provider. Don't wait until the next scheduled appointment.
- Signs of preterm labor: regular contractions before 37 weeks, pelvic pressure, low persistent back pain, or unusual discharge
- Sudden shortness of breath at rest or with minimal activity — this should be evaluated
- Chest pain or palpitations — also warrants prompt attention
- Severe or sudden swelling in the face, hands, or feet combined with headache or visual changes — signs of preeclampsia requiring same-day evaluation
Related Tools & Articles
- Due Date Calculator — Calculate your estimated due date
- Pregnancy Checklists — stay on top of what to do each trimester
- Pregnancy Week-by-Week Overview — full timeline
- Week 25 — previous week
- Week 27 — next week
- Milestone Tracker — track your baby's development
- Hospital Bag Checklist — start planning ahead
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is my baby at 26 weeks pregnant?
At 26 weeks, your baby is about the size of a head of lettuce. They measure approximately 35.6 cm (14 inches) from head to toe and weigh around 760 grams (1.7 lbs). Your baby is approaching the 800-gram mark and gaining weight steadily as fat stores develop.
Can my baby see at 26 weeks?
Yes. At 26 weeks, your baby's eyes open for the first time. The fused eyelids separate, allowing the eyes to open and close. While your baby cannot see detailed images, they can detect light and dark through the uterine wall, and the visual cortex in the brain is actively developing neural pathways for vision.
When does the third trimester start?
The third trimester officially begins at week 28 of pregnancy. Week 26 is the last full week of the second trimester, with week 27 serving as the transition week. The shift brings increased fetal growth, more frequent prenatal visits, and preparation for delivery.
What tests are done at 26 weeks pregnant?
The glucose challenge test (GCT) for gestational diabetes is typically scheduled between weeks 24–28. If you haven't had this screening yet, ask your provider to schedule it. Your provider may also check iron and vitamin D levels, as deficiencies in both become more common heading into the third trimester.
Is it normal to feel rib pain at 26 weeks?
Yes. As your uterus expands upward, it can push into your lower ribs, causing persistent discomfort or sharp pain on one or both sides. Sitting up straight, stretching gently, and taking deep breaths can help. This pain typically resolves when the baby drops lower in the pelvis later in pregnancy.
Are Braxton Hicks contractions normal at 26 weeks?
Yes. Braxton Hicks contractions are normal practice contractions that can begin as early as the second trimester and become more noticeable around 26 weeks. According to ACOG, they are irregular, usually painless, and tend to increase with activity or dehydration. Contact your provider if contractions become regular, painful, or increase in frequency — these could be signs of preterm labor.
When should I start packing my hospital bag?
Most providers recommend having your hospital bag ready by 36 weeks, but many parents start packing between 28 and 32 weeks. Starting a list now at 26 weeks gives you plenty of time to gather items without last-minute stress. Check our Hospital Bag Checklist for a complete packing guide.
