You're 26 weeks pregnant!

Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, RN, CCRN, CPN & Adda Bjarnadóttir, MS, LN

What's going on with you this week?

Can you start to see the finish line up there? Squint your eyes just a little bit to get a better look. At 26 weeks pregnant, the start of your third trimester is only 2 weeks away which means that grand finale is very quickly coming into focus. Keep going!

You've got a headache and it's got pregnancy written all over it

It's not unusual to find yourself experiencing frequent headaches during this time — 39 percent of women report getting headaches during their pregnancy or postpartum. The extra weight you're carrying around these days can be one of the causes, but stress and dehydration are also likely culprits.

Make sure you're drinking plenty of water and try out some natural treatments such as massage or essential oils to keep your headaches from becoming overwhelming.

If you already get regular migraine attacks and have found they’re becoming more frequent at this point, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your options.

When you can no longer control your own limbs

Tripping over nothing? Bumping into things? Don't worry, your eyesight is just fine. You're just experiencing the clumsiness that comes with the later stages of pregnancy. Since your body is larger than usual, your joints are looser, and your entire center of gravity has shifted, you may find that you are way less coordinated than you normally are.

Thankfully, this will obviously go away after you give birth, but do try to be more careful these days, especially around slippery surfaces.

Real talk — who do you want in the room when you give birth?

It may seem like d-day is far away, but it's better to hash out the details ahead of time if you can. And this question, in particular, needs to be answered right around now, since any birth partner you choose will want to attend childbirth classes with you.

This one may be really easy for you. Maybe you have a long-term partner, and it's a no brainer to have that person be your labor support person in the delivery room. But, what if it's not that easy? If you're doing this solo or if you have a strained relationship with your baby's other parent, this is obviously a more complicated question.

Luckily, there are no rules around who you can choose to have supporting you during delivery. The bottom line here is that you are the only one who gets to have the final say.

Lots of people choose to go with a close friend, a sister, or they decide to have their mom in the room with them. Some people choose to have their partner and another support person in the room as well. Lots of people want to have a birth doula help them through labor and delivery.

Figure out who would make you feel the most comfortable and safest during delivery. It's an intense experience, so you should give this a good amount of thought. Is there someone who you just know would be a great delivery coach? Maybe you want to have a good friend who has gone through this before in there with you.

There’s no set way to go into delivery day, and you should make your own decision on this one. Choose your teammates wisely, ask them if they're up for it, and then chat with your healthcare provider to make sure that they understand your plan. This is going to be a really big day, so make sure you fill it with the people who will offer you the best support.

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Eat

Sweet Potato Turmeric Soup With Almond Croutons. Sweet potatoes are on the list of pain-safe foods meaning that they’re unlikely to trigger headaches or migraines. This soup is also packed with nutrients and a great option for a chilly day.

Vegan Poke Bowl. Brown rice, another entry in the pain-safe foods list, makes up the base of this vegan poke bowl. Add or subtract ingredients as you wish.

Foil Pack Italian Chicken and Veggies. Non-processed poultry is also safe for people suffering from headaches and this recipe is incredibly simple and super delicious.

Drink

Water. You guessed it. Staying hydrated is key to fighting off headaches, so fill those water bottles up.

Shop

The Headache Hat. It might look a little weird, but this head wrap is a fave among people who get frequent headaches and migraines. If your headaches are intense or last for a long time, it's worth trying this at home.

Do

Finalize baby shower plans. If you're having a baby shower, it’ll probably happen in the next few weeks. Make sure you are good with the plans and have your registries all set up for guests who may want to get a look at them.

Keep moving. Even if you’re feeling a little less coordinated these days, it's a good idea to still get in some regular exercise. Walks, jogs, yoga, Pilates, or spin classes are all still good options at this point as long as it feels good to you.

Love

…your growing baby!

Your baby is around 13 inches long.

Weighing in at a whopping 2 pounds, your baby is now the size of a red cabbage!

By breathing amniotic fluid in and out, your baby is starting to use developing lungs.

Your baby is starting to be able to distinguish your voice from other sounds. Time to start singing in the shower.

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