26 Weeks Pregnant: Baby's Eyes, Vaccines & Symptoms

26 Weeks Pregnant: Baby's Eyes, Vaccines & Symptoms

At 26 weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a lettuce, and their eyes are getting ready to open. They're reacting to sound and light, and may be most active when you're trying to rest. It's also a good time to make sure your whooping cough vaccine is booked.

Baby's size
About the size of a lettuce (around 35cm head to heel, 760g)
Big development
Eyes getting ready to open
Common symptoms
Back pain, headaches, bloating and stretch marks
This week
Get your whooping cough vaccine, if you haven't yet

What's happening this week

Your baby is moving constantly while they're awake, changing position, kicking and punching.

Eyes

Almost ready

Your baby's eyelids have been closed for months, but they'll start to open over the next couple of weeks. They can already tell light from dark.

Reflexes

Quick reactions

Your baby may jump at a loud noise or move when light shines on your bump. Regular little jerks could mean they have hiccups.

Growing

Getting ready

Your baby is practising breathing and swallowing. Fingernails are growing, tooth buds are developing and, in boys, the testicles will soon start moving down.

From around now, your doctor or midwife may measure your fundal height, the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus. In centimetres, it usually roughly matches how many weeks pregnant you are. Every bump is different, so try not to compare yours with others.

Vaccines to protect your baby

Some vaccines in pregnancy help your body make antibodies that pass to your baby, protecting them in their first months, before they're old enough for their own vaccines. They're all free in Australia.

Whooping cough
Recommended between 20 and 32 weeks of every pregnancy. Whooping cough can be very serious for newborns.If you haven't had it yet, now's a great time to book
Flu
Recommended in every pregnancy and can be given at any stage. It protects you from serious illness and helps protect your baby after birth.
RSV
Recommended between 28 and 36 weeks to help protect your newborn from RSV, a common virus that can cause serious chest infections in babies.

Ask your GP, midwife or pharmacist about booking your vaccines. Partners, grandparents and other close carers may also want to check with their GP about a whooping cough booster.

Symptoms at 26 weeks pregnant

  • Lower back pain. More than half of pregnant people get back pain. It may be across your lower back, at the back of your pelvis, or shooting down your leg as sciatica. Keep your shoulders and hips aligned, support your back when sitting, and sleep with a pillow between your knees. Here are more tips for easing back pain.
  • Headaches. Tiredness, hunger and dehydration are common causes. Eat regularly, drink plenty of water and rest when you can.
  • Bloating. Your growing uterus puts pressure on your stomach and intestines. Small, regular meals help.
  • Stretch marks. They may appear on your tummy, breasts, hips and thighs. They're largely down to genetics, and most fade after birth. Here's more about stretch marks.

Call your doctor, midwife or hospital straight away if you have a severe or ongoing headache, blurred vision, sudden swelling or pain under your ribs, as these can be signs of pre-eclampsia. Get urgent help if you have numbness around your bottom or groin, leg weakness, or trouble controlling your bladder or bowels.

Staying active

If your doctor or midwife says it's safe, keep up regular exercise. It can help with back pain, sleep and mood, and it helps you prepare for labour. Pregnancy exercise classes, swimming, walking and pregnancy yoga are all great options. Focus on strengthening your legs, back and core, and keep up your pelvic floor exercises. Warm up and cool down, stay hydrated, avoid exercising in the heat and don't lie flat on your back for long periods. Here are the best exercises for pregnancy.

Your to-do list for week 26

Helpful for this stage

The pregnancy listWhat you'll need to feel comfortableSee the list Pregnancy pillowsSupport for your back and bumpShop pillows Pregnancy and birth booksReading for the months aheadShop books

Week 26 FAQs

When should I get the whooping cough vaccine?

It's recommended between 20 and 32 weeks of every pregnancy, even if you've had it before. Having it at this time gives your body enough time to make antibodies and pass them to your baby before birth.

Is the whooping cough vaccine safe in pregnancy?

Yes. It's recommended for every pregnancy in Australia and has been given to many pregnant people safely. You might have a sore arm or feel a little tired for a day or two.

Should my partner get the whooping cough vaccine too?

It's a good idea for partners, grandparents and other adults who'll spend a lot of time with your baby to check with their GP about whether they need a whooping cough booster, ideally at least two weeks before the baby arrives.

What is fundal height?

It's the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus. From around 24 weeks, the measurement in centimetres roughly matches how many weeks pregnant you are, so it helps your doctor or midwife check your baby's growth.

Why is my baby more active at night?

Your baby may be more active when you're resting, because your movements during the day can rock them to sleep. Many babies also have busy periods after you eat.

This article is general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your doctor or midwife.

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