Week 26- Baby Boy English Hothouse Cucumber/Chuck Roast

How your baby's growing: The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

How your life's changing: If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your abdomen.

from BabyCenter

Baby: Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. Measuring 14 inches long, he weighs just less than 2 lbs! His lungs continue to develop and he is taking small breaths of amniotic fluid inside your womb. These small breaths are getting him in shape for his first breath of fresh air. His veins are visible through histransparent skin but soon that will change as his skin begins to turn opaque. The nerve pathways are becoming more and more developed, making him more responsive to sound. Don't be surprised if you feel him jump inside you if he is startled by a sudden noise. If you're having a boy, his testicles are descending into his scrotum this week.

Mom: How are you feeling? If you are feeling short of breath this week, don't worry, this is common. Your uterus may be pressing on your rib cage, making it harder for your lungs to fully expand. How's your back? It's possible that your back might be feeling a little achy. Again, you can attribute this partially to your hormones. By 26 weeks, your pregnancy hormones are loosening up your joints and ligaments. Your changing center of gravity is also to blame. Have you picked a name? Picking a name can be quite a challenge, especially if you and your partner have different ideas of the perfect name. Need inspiration, revisit some of your favorite movies and films or find out your grandparents' middle names. Just one thing that's important to keep in mind...initials. Peter Owen O'Connell is a great name, but his initials could be troublesome when he reaches elementary school!

From PlanningFamily