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🌿Second Trimester•Weeks 14-27
Week 26 of Pregnancy
Your baby is the size of lettuce
📏
Length
14 inches
⚖️
Weight
1.7 pounds
🍎
Size Comparison
Lettuce
👶 Baby Development
- •Eyes are beginning to open for the first time after being fused shut
- •Baby can respond to light shining on your belly by moving
- •Lungs are developing bronchial tree branches for breathing
- •Baby regularly inhales and exhales amniotic fluid to practice breathing
- •Brain wave activity for both hearing and vision increases dramatically
- •Baby has distinct fingerprints and footprints
- •Eyelashes are growing
💭 Common Symptoms
- •Braxton Hicks contractions becoming more frequent (belly tightening without pain)
- •Possible pelvic pain and pressure as baby grows heavier
- •Shortness of breath as uterus pushes up on diaphragm
- •Rapidly growing belly
- •Possible rib pain as baby kicks upward
- •Increased urination frequency
- •Possible swelling and water retention
🥗 Nutrition Tips
- •Eat iron-rich foods (27-30mg daily) to prevent third trimester anemia
- •Include vitamin C with iron-rich meals for better absorption
- •Stay hydrated with water throughout the day
- •Eat 5-6 small, frequent meals instead of 3 large ones
- •Include calcium-rich foods for final bone development
- •Eat slowly and chew thoroughly to aid digestion
- •Avoid carbonated beverages that can cause bloating
✅ To-Do This Week
- •Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or prenatal yoga
- •Continue regular prenatal appointments
- •Finalize your baby registry and share with friends and family
- •Start or complete infant CPR and baby safety class
- •Begin stocking up on newborn essentials
- •Research and select a birth location if you haven't already
- •Start preparing mentally for labor
💡
Did You Know?
Your baby can now see light filtering through your belly! If you shine a flashlight on your belly, baby may move toward or away from the light source.