26 WEEKS PREGNANT
Eyes begin to open
Baby this week: about 33.7 cm — head to heel · about 760 g
≈ 33.7 cm — about the size of a large cauliflower
Illustration enlarged for clarity — the amber marker shows true relative size
Your baby this week
- Eyelids start to part, and the eyes can open for brief periods
- The fetus may respond with movement to light shone against the belly
- Footprints and fingerprints are fully formed on tiny hands and feet
- Breathing motions using amniotic fluid are practiced regularly, preparing the lungs for real air
Your body this week
- Blood pressure checks become a routine part of appointments as pregnancy progresses
- Some notice swelling in the hands or feet, especially by the end of the day
- One kind of swelling is different: sudden swelling of the face or hands, a persistent headache, vision changes, or pain under the right ribs need same-day contact with your provider — these can signal preeclampsia.
This week's tip: Drinking plenty of water and reducing salty snacks can help minimize everyday swelling.
Want the bigger picture — organ development, nutrition, scans and warning signs for this stage? See month 6: Settling into the bump.
Sizes and milestones are typical ranges — every pregnancy runs on its own clock. Educational content; your prenatal care team's guidance always comes first.