26 weeks pregnant
Your baby is about 34 cm and 760 grams; the eyes are starting to open.
At week 26, your baby’s eyes begin to open and may react to light. Sleep and wake cycles become more defined.
This week’s ultrasound image
Expected ultrasound appearance and measurements at week 26 (illustrative, to-scale drawing).
Abbreviations on the screen
- GS
- Gestational sac diameter
- YS
- Yolk sac
- CRL
- Crown–rump length
- NT
- Nuchal translucency
- BPD
- Biparietal diameter (head width)
- HC
- Head circumference
- AC
- Abdominal circumference
- FL
- Femur (thigh bone) length
- EFW
- Estimated fetal weight
- FHR
- Fetal heart rate (beats per minute)
- GA
- Gestational age (weeks + days)
- UA PI
- Umbilical artery Doppler resistance (PI)
Length (head to heel)
33.8 cm
Head diameter
66 mm
Head circumference
243 mm
Femur length
49 mm
Estimated weight
760 g
Heart rate
140 bpm
How big is your baby this week?
About the size of an iceberg lettuce
What can be seen on the ultrasound?
BPD is about 66 mm, HC about 243 mm, AC about 221 mm and FL about 49 mm. The heart rate is about 140 beats per minute.
Your baby’s development
Your baby is about the size of an iceberg lettuce. The eyelids open and eyelashes form. Brain waves begin to show periods of sleep and wakefulness.
Changes in your body
Your sleep may be disturbed, and you may have leg cramps and feel short of breath.
Check-ups at this stage
- Routine check: blood pressure, weight, urine
- Discussing the whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine with your doctor (weeks 27–36)
- Reviewing glucose test results
Tips for this week
- Stretching before bed helps reduce cramps
- Keep your bedroom cool and dark
- Start making a list for your hospital bag
When should you see your doctor?
Contact your doctor if you have bleeding, regular contractions, leaking fluid or a clear reduction in your baby’s movements.
Growth by week
Values are averages; differences of a few days or a few millimetres between babies are normal.
| Pregnancy weeks | Crown–rump length (cm) | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 4 | — | — |
| Week 5 | — | — |
| Week 6 | 4 mm | — |
| Week 7 | 10 mm | — |
| Week 8 | 16 mm | 1 g |
| Week 9 | 23 mm | 2 g |
| Week 10 | 32 mm | 4 g |
| Week 11 | 43 mm | 8 g |
| Week 12 | 55 mm | 14 g |
| Week 13 | 68 mm | 23 g |
| Week 14 | 85 mm | 43 g |
| Week 15 | 100 mm | 70 g |
| Week 16 | 115 mm | 100 g |
| Week 17 | 128 mm | 140 g |
| Week 18 | 140 mm | 190 g |
| Week 19 | 152 mm | 240 g |
| Week 20 | 25.6 cm | 300 g |
| Week 21 | 26.7 cm | 360 g |
| Week 22 | 27.8 cm | 430 g |
| Week 23 | 28.9 cm | 501 g |
| Week 24 | 30 cm | 600 g |
| Week 25 | 31.9 cm | 660 g |
| Week 26 | 33.8 cm | 760 g |
| Week 27 | 35.6 cm | 875 g |
| Week 28 | 37.5 cm | 1005 g |
| Week 29 | 38.8 cm | 1153 g |
| Week 30 | 40 cm | 1319 g |
| Week 31 | 41.3 cm | 1502 g |
| Week 32 | 42.5 cm | 1702 g |
| Week 33 | 43.6 cm | 1918 g |
| Week 34 | 44.8 cm | 2146 g |
| Week 35 | 45.9 cm | 2383 g |
| Week 36 | 47 cm | 2622 g |
| Week 37 | 48 cm | 2859 g |
| Week 38 | 49 cm | 3083 g |
| Week 39 | 50 cm | 3288 g |
| Week 40 | 51 cm | 3462 g |
Frequently asked questions
Why is the whooping cough vaccine given in pregnancy?
Antibodies produced after the vaccine pass to your baby and protect them against whooping cough in the first months after birth. It is usually recommended between weeks 27 and 36.
Can the baby see light?
Your baby can react to strong light and may start moving if a bright light is shone on your tummy.
Your pregnancy care at SoftCare Clinic
Book an appointment with our specialist doctors for your ultrasound check-up and any questions you may have.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace a medical examination. Measurements are average values; please discuss your own results with your doctor.
Medical content editor: Op. Dr. Şükrü Sanus