The third trimester is almost here. At 26 weeks a lot of parents feel a shift, the bump is leading the way and the to-do list has quietly grown longer.
At 26 weeks, your baby is roughly the size of a cucumber, around 35.6cm from head to heel.1
What's happening at 26 weeks
The baby's eyes are opening for the first time around now, after weeks of being fused shut. They're starting to learn how to blink.1
It's one of those small developments that makes the baby feel a little more like the person you'll meet soon.
What's common around week 26
Leg cramps are common at this stage, and many people notice them most at night.1 A sudden tightening in the calf can pull you out of sleep, which is no fun this far into pregnancy.
These cramps tend to be brief and pass on their own. Your midwife or doctor is the right person to ask if they're frequent or you want advice that fits you.
Plan your parental-leave logistics
This is a good week to sort the paperwork side of leave while your head is clear. Pin down your start date, the forms your employer needs, and the timeline for submitting them.
If you have a partner, map out who covers what and when. Figuring out the handoff now means fewer last-minute scrambles when the baby comes.
Setting up nappi fits naturally into this planning phase too. Create the baby profile with the due date, invite your partner, and you both land on the same shared record from day one. Our resources walk through what the early weeks tend to hold.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the baby at 26 weeks?
About 35.6cm from head to heel, close to a cucumber.1 The baby keeps lengthening and putting on weight in the weeks ahead.
When do babies open their eyes in the womb?
Around 26 weeks the eyes open for the first time, after being fused shut for months, and the baby begins to learn to blink.1
References
1. NHS. "You and your baby at 26 weeks pregnant." Link