In this 26th week of pregnancy baby size of 28 weeks is 33 cm and its weight is 870 g. By the time he is born, he will multiply his weight by three. He will therefore gain a lot of weight over the next three months, and his skin, still wrinkled, will gradually tighten thanks to the fat that accumulates underneath.

The 26 week fetus regularly swallows amniotic fluid, which it then releases in his urine and through his skin. It connects more and more respiratory movements during which it also inhales amniotic fluid, which by filling the lungs, participates in pulmonary maturation. The baby therefore actively contributes to maintaining the volume of amniotic fluid, which is renewed every 3 hours.

The brain continues to mature. The neurons, which have reached their final number, differentiate and the complex network connecting them is set up.

Bone marrow fetus at 28 weeks is now able to manufacture white blood cells, small soldiers of its immune system, and red blood cells, blood cells carrying oxygen.

If he were born in 26 weeks of pregnancy, the baby would be very premature – and no longer very premature. It would be very fragile, especially at the pulmonary level, and would require heavy care, but its chances of survival are real. According to the Epipage2 study (1), the survival percentage is in fact 59% at 25 WA, 75% at 26 WA, 94% between 27-31 WA and 99% between 32 and 34 WA.

In this end of 6th month of pregnancy, it is common for weight gain to accelerate. After 1 kg per month on average the first and 2nd trimesters, the future mother takes 2 kg per month in the last trimester (2). But these are only averages: every pregnant woman is different and her weight gain will vary depending on her diet of course, but also on her base BMI.

The top of the uterus is about 6-8 cm above the navel; To 28 SA the belly appears taller and wider, and this feeling will become more pronounced with the weeks. The rib cage “opens”; the stomach and intestines are pushed towards the diaphragm. This phenomenon, associated with hormonal changes which have the effect of slowing down gastric emptying and transit, promotes constipation and acid reflux. It also becomes difficult to breathe in deeply because the diaphragm has less room to move. At the bottom, the uterus presses on the bladder, causing frequent urges to urinate.

The spine must also adapt to this belly, which is getting rounder every day: it has a tendency to arch itself, which can lead to lower back pain when a woman is five months pregnant.

During pregnancy, the future mother may frequently have a blocked nose or rhinorrhea (runny nose). It is probably a hormonal rhinitis, pathology which would affect 1/3 of pregnant women during their pregnancy (3). Hormonal, immunological or local changes: the exact cause of this rhinitis is not known. Benign, it will disappear spontaneously in the weeks following childbirth, but if it causes real discomfort on a daily basis, or even snoring which affects the quality of sleep, local corticosteroids may be prescribed. On the other hand, vasoconstrictors should be avoided, as they can cause contractions (4). In homeopathy, take Allium Cepa compound 15 CH, 5 granules 3 times a day, to be spaced according to improvement.

Most pregnant women have an increased appetite during pregnancy. However, it is the opposite for some women, who are not hungry and even feel distaste for food. Several causes are at the origin of this loss of appetite. Nausea, caused by hormones are the main reasons. If the mother-to-be wants to throw up when the plate comes in front of her, it is not easy for her to eat. Reflux or acid reflux can also cause a decrease in hunger, especially from this 26th week of pregnancy. Indeed, the baby’s weight at 28 weeks increases, pushing and compressing organs, such as the stomach. If the mother-to-be cannot ingest anything at all, a consultation with her doctor or the midwife is then recommended. Weight loss is not serious in itself if it is not too much. On the other hand, if the expectant mother feels too weak and is deficient, it can be dangerous for her and the baby.

Several solutions are to be considered in the case of loss of appetite in pregnant women. She can split her meals and have small snacks regularly (yogurt, fruit, oilseeds) or anything that pleases her. Five months pregnant, she should be careful to stay well hydrated, especially if she is having trouble eating. She should drink at least 1,5 L of water per day and can supplement with herbal teas, ginger to fight nausea, for example. She can also make and consume fresh fruit or vegetable juices, to provide fiber and vitamins. If she is disgusted by cooking smells, the mom-to-be can cook foods that are not smelly, such as rice, potatoes, pasta, or steamed or boiled vegetables.  

• make an appointment for the 7th month visit;
•  make an appointment for the third ultrasound, to be performed at 32 WA.

A good diet is more than ever necessary at 26 weeks of pregnancy to avoid deficiencies, such as iron or magnesium, relieve certain pregnancy ailments – constipation, acid reflux, cramps – but also to avoid excess weight gain. important which could be harmful to the good progress of the pregnancy. If the weight is checked at each prenatal visit (HAS recommendation), it is indeed because excessive weight gain exposes you to various risks:

• hypertension, more common in expectant mothers who have gained more than 18 kg (5);
• induction of labor, more common in pregnant women who have gained more than 18 kg during pregnancy (6);
• longer labor: the second phase of labor (cervical dilation) is longer in women who have gained more than 18 kg (7);
• more frequent use of instrumental extraction (forceps, suction cups) or cesarean section (8);
• a macrosomia (“big baby”) which can cause various complications during childbirth (shoulder dystocia in particular).

To relieve the back, continue the pelvic tilt exercises. Wearing a pregnancy belt can also relieve lower back pain. However, it is recommended to seek advice from your gynecologist or midwife on the type of belt to choose and how to use it. Some should not be worn continuously but only in a standing position.