Leslie Massey
At 26 weeks, your baby is the size of a zucchini or a scallion, weighing in at about 2 pounds and measuring roughly 14 inches. Their eyes are now fully formed, and they can blink and see. They can also hear your voice and the voices of others, and may even respond to outside stimuli such as sound or light. Your baby's intestines are growing and maturing, and they are absorbing more nutrients from the amniotic fluid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight | 900g (2lb) or 1.8-2 pounds |
| Length | 33.3cm (13in) or 14.5 inches |
| Length (crown to rump) | 23.5cm (9.75in) |
| Eyes | Fully formed, with eyelashes and eyebrows |
| Reflexes | Can blink, and may start rubbing their face and hands |
| Hearing | Can hear your voice and other voices |
| Taste | Can taste |
| Vision | Can see |
| Movement | Can pedal, kick, stretch, and respond to outside stimuli |
| Lungs | Still developing |
| Testes | Descended into scrotum |
| Intestines | Growing and maturing |
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What You'll Learn
Baby's memory and hearing are developing
At 26 weeks, your baby is about the size of a head of cauliflower, weighing in at about 2 1/3 pounds and measuring roughly 14 1/2 inches. Your baby's memory and hearing are developing rapidly.
Hearing Development
Your baby's ears start developing as early as 5 weeks into pregnancy, when two small spots appear on either side of their head. These indentations will eventually develop into the ears. By 8 weeks, the ear bones begin to form as small clumps of tissue that slowly harden over the coming weeks. At 12 weeks, specialised sound transmitters called hair cells develop inside the cochlea (the main organ of hearing) and connect to a nerve that sends sound impulses to the brain. This connection is made at about 16 weeks, when your baby may start to hear faint sounds inside your body, such as your breathing, heartbeat, and digestion. After 23 weeks, your baby can hear sounds from the outside world, including your voice. Initially, they can only hear low-pitched sounds, so male voices are typically better perceived than female voices. However, your baby will recognise your voice as it reverberates through your body as you speak.
Memory Development
While your baby's memory will continue to develop after birth, they already possess recognition memory. Newborns can recognise their mother's voice and smell at birth, and breastfed babies can recognise their mother's smell. This recognition is the first indication of memory, although it differs from remembering specific events. Your baby's recognition memory will increase dramatically during their first year. By 9 months old, your baby will be able to remember more specific information, such as the location of their toys in the house. By 10 months, their short-term memory has improved, allowing them to remember a few things simultaneously, albeit for short periods.
It is important to note that exposure to loud noises above 115 decibels during pregnancy may be harmful to your baby's hearing. Always consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your baby's development.
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Baby is the size of a zucchini
At 26 weeks, your baby is about the size of a zucchini. They are now about 14.5 inches long and weigh about 2 1/3 pounds. They can suck, see, hear and taste, and might respond to your touch. Their lungs are still developing, but they would have an 80% chance of survival if born now and given expert care in a neonatal unit.
Zucchini, also known as courgette, is a type of summer squash. It is usually harvested when it is about 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) long, although some varieties can grow up to 25 cm (10 inches) or even longer. The fruit is typically green, but there are also yellow and bi-color cultivars. Zucchini can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as steamed, boiled, grilled, stuffed, baked, barbecued, or fried. It can also be eaten raw, sliced or shredded, in a cold salad.
Your baby is now about the size of a small to medium-sized zucchini. They are growing and developing rapidly, and their size will continue to increase as you progress through your pregnancy. Remember, these fruit and vegetable comparisons are just for fun and are not exact measurements of your baby's size. Your healthcare provider will monitor your baby's actual size and development to ensure everything is on track.
As your baby grows, you may start to notice changes in your body and your centre of gravity. You might feel a bit off-balance or experience backaches due to the growing weight of your pregnancy and hormonal changes. Gentle exercise and stretching can help ease any discomfort you may feel.
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Baby's eyes open and can blink
At 26 weeks, your baby is about the size of a head of lettuce, weighing a little under 2 pounds and measuring 13.5 inches long. Your baby's eyes are starting to open now, and they can blink! Their eyelids have been fused shut until about now, and their optic nerves and retina are fully formed. Their irises don't have much colour yet, but this will fill in over the next few weeks.
Your baby can now see inside your uterus when their eyes are open. They will continue to develop, and by the time they are born, they will be able to see objects at a distance of 10-12 inches. Their favourite thing to look at will be your face! You can try shining a flashlight on your pregnant belly, and your baby might see it and kick in response.
Your baby's eyes will continue to grow after birth. A newborn's eyes are about 16.5 millimeters in length, while an adult's eyes are about 24 millimeters. Significant eye growth occurs during the first two years of life, and it picks up again around puberty. Your baby's eye colour may change until they are 3 years old, and their eyesight will adapt to the world outside the womb.
Your baby's tear ducts start developing at about 8 weeks, but they won't be completely formed until a few weeks after birth. So, even with all the early cries, your baby's tear production won't reach its full potential until a few weeks after birth.
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Baby can feel touch
At 26 weeks, your baby is about the size of an eggplant or a large mango, measuring around 22-26 centimetres from crown to rump and weighing between 600 and 800 grams. Inside the womb, your baby is growing and developing their senses, and their sense of touch is becoming more refined.
Baby's Sense of Touch Is Developing
Your baby's sense of touch is one of the first senses to develop in the womb, and by 26 weeks, it has become quite advanced. The touch receptors in your baby's skin are now sensitive enough to detect even gentle strokes and caresses. As you continue with your pregnancy, you may notice your baby responding to your touch, such as kicking or squirming when you rub your belly.
Responding to Touch
Your baby can feel a wide range of sensations, including pressure, vibration, and light touches. They can feel the caress of your hand on your belly and may even be able to distinguish between different textures. If you gently poke or press your abdomen, your baby might respond by changing their body position or moving their limbs. Some research suggests that they can even perceive the direction of the touch and respond accordingly.
Bonding Through Touch
Touch is an essential aspect of bonding and can help you connect with your baby before they are born. Massaging your belly or gently stroking your abdomen can provide a soothing sensation for your baby and may even promote their brain development. Some studies indicate that babies who are regularly touched and caressed in the womb exhibit more advanced nervous system development and better overall growth.
Stimulating the Senses
You can also stimulate your baby's sense of touch by varying the sensations they experience. Try using different textures, such as soft fabrics or smooth stones, and gently rub them on your belly. You can also try using a vibrating massager on a low setting to provide a unique sensation. Exposing your baby to a range of tactile experiences may help promote their sensory development and prepare them for the variety of textures and sensations they will encounter after birth.
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Baby's intestines are growing and maturing
At 26 weeks, your baby is about the size of a head of cauliflower, weighing in at about 2 1/3 pounds and measuring roughly 14 1/2 inches. The fetus's lungs start to make surfactant, a substance that helps it breathe after birth. The baby's intestines are growing and maturing, and the baby can suck, see, hear and taste.
The maturation of the baby's intestines is influenced by multiple factors and control systems. Insulin, for instance, plays a crucial role in intestinal maturation. After skin keratinization is completed (around 26 weeks), amniotic fluid becomes the primary source of insulin exposure for the gastrointestinal tract, contributing to its development.
The gastrointestinal tract's movements are regulated by extrinsic and intrinsic neurons, interstitial cells, and various mechanical processes. These movements differ across regions and vary depending on prematurity. For instance, preterm newborns of 28-32 weeks exhibit impaired gastric electrical activity and gastric emptying.
The development of intestinal motility is crucial for digestion and nutrient absorption. Newborns require the structural and functional maturation of the GI tract to effectively process colostrum and breast milk. This includes the maturation of suck-swallow coordination, gastroesophageal sphincter tone control, gastric emptying, and intestinal peristalsis.
Additionally, the presence of lipase in the small intestine facilitates long-chain triglyceride digestion. However, lingual lipase activity is lower at birth in infants at 26 weeks' gestation, peaking at 30-32 weeks. This highlights the ongoing maturation of the digestive system, which continues to develop even after birth.
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Frequently asked questions
Your baby is now about 13 inches long and weighs around 2 pounds. This is about the weight of a pineapple or a quart of milk.
Your baby is getting more active. They are pedaling, kicking, stretching, and blinking. They can also respond to outside stimuli, like sound or light near your belly.
Your baby's eyes are now fully formed and they have visible eyelashes and eyebrows. Their irises still have very little colour, and their final eye colour can change after birth and over the first year.
Your baby's memory and hearing are developing, and they will be able to hear your voice. Their intestines are growing and maturing, and they are producing meconium, their first bowel movement.
You may experience rib pain as your rib cage expands to make room for your growing baby. You might also experience back pain, nasal congestion, insomnia, clumsiness, memory lapses, and blurred vision.
