The change of pregnant women at week 26

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Thi Phuong - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital. Dr. Le Thi Phuong has 29 years of experience in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.
Entering the 26th week of pregnancy, a woman may feel her weight is increasing rapidly along with rib pain, shortness of breath or needles in the abdomen. The fact that the child has grown strong and is often disruptive also affects the mother's sleep.

1. Outstanding features of pregnant women at 26 weeks

Women who are 26 weeks pregnant gain weight at a faster rate, at about 1 pound per week. The uterus is pushed out to the surrounding organs according to the rapid growth of the fetus. At this time, the pregnant woman may feel pain in the ribs, difficulty breathing because the uterus pushes up on the diaphragm; Feeling like there are needles in the abdomen.
By week 26, the baby's organs are almost complete. The fact that the baby is constantly "disturbing" can interfere with the mother's sleep. Heartburn and leg cramps also occur more frequently. To relieve these symptoms, pregnant women should apply some measures such as exercising during the day (morning and afternoon), limiting drinking water before going to bed, breathing fresh air, doing some exercise. position to relieve pain, or gently push the baby back into the correct position.

2. Pregnancy Symptoms Week 26

2.1 Bloating Pregnant women are prone to bloating as the uterus expands and puts pressure on the stomach and intestines. To relieve symptoms of bloating, pregnant women should divide meals into several times instead of 3 large meals so as not to overload the digestion of food.

2.2 Amnesia "Pregnancy brain" can cause pregnant women to forget some important meeting or information that just happened. This memory loss is temporary and completely normal. To deal with this situation, pregnant women should write down important things in a trusted notebook or smartphone and then act accordingly.
2.3 Getting Clumsy Loosened joints, altered center of gravity, and extra weight are just a few of the factors that make pregnant women more prone to slipping, tripping and falling more often than usual. This clumsiness is temporary, but note, pregnant women should be more careful when performing activities of daily living, avoid slippery places especially in the bath, shower, do not wear high shoes .
2.4 Migraines Some pregnant women have a history of migraines, the pain of which tends to increase during pregnancy. Because strong migraine medications can affect an unborn baby directly, consider safer therapies like acupuncture, massage, meditation, and yoga instead (these techniques also work). can help reduce stress, which is a migraine trigger).

2.5 Blurred vision Pregnant women often experience dry eyes because pregnancy hormones reduce tear production. Use eye drops to ease discomfort and tell your doctor if you have any vision abnormalities as these could be signs of preeclampsia.
2.6 Round ligament pain Round ligament pain causes more discomfort as the size of the uterus increases. To relieve pain, pregnant women should put their feet and rest in a comfortable position, change positions need to be gentle to avoid recurrence and aggravation of pain.

3. What should pregnant women do when they are 26 weeks pregnant?

3.1 Thoroughly cook raw foods Pregnant women should make sure to eat well-cooked foods. Raw foods that need attention when cooking, such as meat, fish or poultry. Some tips to check if the food is cooked or not, include:
Pierce the chopsticks through the chicken, if the water comes out red then it is undercooked. At that time, it is necessary to lower the heat or bring the food back to the oven and continue to bake until the fat melts. Cut through the thickest part of the meat and cooked ribs. If the center is gray or brown, it means the food is cooked, if it is red, it is still undercooked and needs to be cooked more. Check the temperature with a thermometer. Pregnant women should remember the "fully cooked" temperatures of familiar dishes: Whole chicken or turkey: 180 F; Beef, veal, lamb or pork, roast, chops or steak: 170 F; Chicken breast: 170 F; Chicken or turkey: 165 F. Beef, veal, lamb, ground pork: 160 F. Fish: 145 F. Ham: 140 F. 3.2 Avoid raw eggs Several ways to choose and prepare Proper egg dishes include:
Preferably choose eggs that have come from natural care, not caged and have been refrigerated Do not buy cracked eggs Store eggs in the refrigerator even when cooked. cooked When preparing eggs, cook until whites are firm and yolks have begun to thicken. Never eat raw eggs (in salads, sauces or mousse desserts), unless pasteurized. If you are using raw, unpasteurized eggs for baking, do not taste the dough. 3.3 Practice the pain-relieving position To avoid the painful position, pregnant women should stand upright, practice this position by pressing against wall, make sure the contact area between the body and the wall is the highest. Avoid the position that pushes the hips and abdomen forward because this position can cause back pain and burden the body when moving.
3.4 Ensure a clean living space Clean up the kitchen:
Keep hands clean during food preparation Clean kitchen utensils such as dish towels, clean countertops after use Ensure protection food hygiene:
Wash hands before and after handling raw meat, eggs, poultry or fish Wash utensils, cutting boards, and towels you carry on the go Wash cans before opening them to remove dirt and bacteria. bacteria cannot penetrate Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating, even those intended to be peeled 3.5 Monitor fetal movements Each baby reacts differently to a mother's different daily activity habits . Some people can be lulled to sleep by the movement, while others seem to be in great pain when the baby kicks.

4. Fetal development at 26 weeks

Your 26-week fetus already weighs 2 pounds which is the equivalent of your daily milk intake to get the recommended 1,200 mg of calcium and 9 inches in length.
In general, during week 26, the fetus has had many remarkable changes:
Eyes have opened, revealing bluish eyes, the color will change in the first few months of life. The baby reacts more sensitively by reacting (kicking the mother) to light through the ultrasound. Hearing: Your baby's hearing is fully developed. As the baby responds to the sound, the pulse will increase. Your baby can even move to the beat of the music. Lungs: Your baby's lungs are still developing but not yet fully developed. If the baby is born prematurely at 26 weeks, the baby still needs the support of respiratory support devices. Brain wave pattern: The brain wave pattern is as complete as a full-term newborn. Sensation in the mouth: The nerves around the mouth and lips are getting more sensitive, preparing for the all-important task of breastfeeding after birth. To do this, babies practice sucking right in the womb by sucking on anything close to their lips, including the umbilical cord. Activities: Baby can do almost any activity like holding hands, sucking thumbs, clasping hands and even playing with toes and kicking mom's belly. For the most peace of mind with pregnancy health, pregnant women at 26 weeks can register to participate in the Maternity Care Program implemented by Vinmec International General Hospital with the aim of supporting and standing side by side with pregnant mothers until the day of pregnancy. "The mother is round and the child is square". The program includes the following service packages:
Maternity care program 2019 – 12 weeks Maternity care program 2019 – 27 weeks Maternity care program 2019 – 36 weeks Maternity care program 2019 – Transfer D The medical team at Vinmec are all experts and leading prestige in the field of obstetrics and gynecology; system of modern facilities to optimally support examination and screening techniques; A civilized, luxurious medical examination space and professional services - all these advantages have helped Vinmec become a hospital highly appreciated by experts for maternity care, the first choice of women. pregnant.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Article reference source: Webmd.com; Whattoexpect.com; parents.com