We’re 26 Weeks Pregnant! - Milestones, Developments, Updates, and More!

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Rich and I are now 26 weeks pregnant with Nova Skye Rowell, as of February 27, 2016. Here’s the latest on 26 week fetal development, Nova’s movements and health report, how I’m feeling, and more.

What’s Nova Doing This Week?

Nova’s doing a great job at growing and moving around in there. I can feel her all the way across my abdomen when she moves now. That makes sense, since by the time we’re 27 weeks along, she should be somewhere around 14 ½ inches long. Wow! She is still extremely active and we all love watching my belly move when she does. She’s also responding even more to certain sounds.

We think she might already be a cat lover, as she kicks every time one of my sister’s cats is purring near my belly. She also kicks for music, loud noises, and specific voices. Obviously, familiar family voices get the most response. I noticed that her activity also decreases when I’m walking around, meaning the motion is likely soothing her to sleep. All of these activities and indicators seem to be right in line with where her development should be right now. So, we’re happy to know that she’s doing so well.

Next Prenatal Visit

The next visit is coming soon (March 16th) and guess what?! It’s one of our favorite things - another ultrasound! It will be the 28 weeks ultrasound, to be exact. We get to see how our cute little Nova is developing and of course watch her do what she does best - be a baby. The ultrasounds are so much fun because it’s obviously our only way of seeing her until she’s born. Then, we’ll want to put her back -- oh my gosh, just kidding, of course! No way! That’s why the ultrasounds are so fun. We’ll also get to hear her heartbeat and learn how things are coming along. Judging by her activity and the past visits, we’re not worried. But it will be great to know.

How’s the Momtrepreneur and Daddy-To-Be This Week?

We’re very much looking forward to little Nova’s arrival for many reasons. The first of course would be that we want to hold and care for our little one. It will be exciting to finally see her cute little face and have her grasp our fingers with her tiny hands. I’ve still been struggling with pain, sleep, and morning sickness. This is definitely not your run-of-the-mill pregnancy. I should know. I’ve done this four other times. We’re both hanging in there. But because this has been extremely difficult on me, that makes it difficult for us both. It’s a struggle to get client work done and most days, it’s done from the bed. But as soon as we see Nova, we know it will all be worth it.

Accomplishments This Past Week

We won and also received yet more free items from Listia. We also found great deals elsewhere, including a free car seat and a barely used Boppy for only 2 bucks. Things just seem to be falling into place for our little family. We’ve narrowed down the Baby Registry a ton. But we still have some essentials to get before Nova arrives. It’s been a struggle, but somehow we’ve been figuring it out. Right now, some of our highest priority items include cloth diapers with adjustable snaps, Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottles, Avent Soothie Pacifiers, Babyganics Fragrance Free Baby Wipes, and a handful of other essentials. Let’s hope those fall into place as well.

We Spent $2 total on This Whole Set of Items! Yes, Including the Car Seat!

Interesting 26 Week Fetal Development & Pregnancy Info

At 26 weeks along, your baby should be hearing more noises, as the nerve pathways in the ears are becoming more developed. You might notice your baby reacting even more consistently to specific things than before. We definitely have noticed this with Nova.

Not only are the ears developing more, your baby is also growing! At 26 weeks gestation, the average weight of your baby is about 2 pounds! The average length is around 14 inches long and may be about 14 ½ inches by the time you reach 27 weeks. If it feels like your baby is taking up more space in your uterus than before, you’re probably correct.

Because your baby is getting larger and the gravity center is shifting some, you may be feeling more back pain than usual. You may also be feeling some different movements from your baby. Don’t be alarmed. He or she is likely trying out that gripping reflex -- on the umbilical cord! But that’s okay. It’s strong enough to handle it. Your baby may also be kicking and punching harder, as well as suckling his or her fist or thumb.

This is also the stage when your baby learns to move his or head around and since the hearing is better, moving of the head toward a specific sound may occur. Your baby can also see now! That’s right, the eyes that were fused shut before are now open and your baby is learning about what it looks like inside the womb. The fact that your baby’s head can now move helps with this discovery.

Footprints and fingerprints are starting to form now. Your baby’s head of hair is growing and thickening even more. Essential fats are also accumulating under the skin. Your baby is not so see-through anymore. For boys, the testicles are beginning to descend into the scrotum. This process takes 2 - 3 months in total.

By the end of 26 weeks, your baby’s lungs should begin to secrete the necessary surfactant for survival outside the womb. This prevents the lungs from sticking together. Your baby may also respond to touch at this stage. We experienced it earlier than this stage. However, not all experts agree on the exact timing.

As always, consult your doctor for exact advice. This post is based mostly on personal experience with some research and is meant for informational purposes only. Every pregnancy is different.

Stay tuned for our 27 weeks pregnant (and other posts)!

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SOURCES

Personal Experience
BabyCenter
Pregnancy.org
BabyCenter
Similac
Parents
BabyGaga
Pampers