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26 Weeks Pregnant: Eyebrows and Eyelashes Have Formed

Medically reviewed by

Sarah Riffle, RN Jul 30, 2026

Line illustration of a zucchini: at 26 weeks pregnant your baby is about the size of a large zucchini, roughly 23cm crown to rump

Line drawing of a 26-week foetus curled with both fists tucked under the chin and legs stretched forward

Line drawing of a woman's torso at 26 weeks pregnant, showing the uterus inside a full rounded bump

Your baby is the size of a

Zucchini

~820 grams

~23 cm / ~9.1 in

Key Takeaways

At 26 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 23 centimetres (230mm) from crown to rump and weighs nearly 820 grams, according to Mayo Clinic. Eyebrows and eyelashes have formed, and the eyes are developed but may not open for about another two weeks.

This is the gestational diabetes screening window. SOGC says all pregnant women should be offered blood glucose screening between 24 and 28 weeks — so if you were tested recently, your results may be arriving around now.

Movement should feel established by now. SOGC notes that by 24 weeks almost all women feel their baby's movements in a predictable way, and calls your perception of those movements one of the strongest indicators of wellbeing.

Your Baby at 26 Weeks: Development & Growth

At 26 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 230 millimetres (roughly 23cm) long from crown to rump and weighs nearly 820 grams, according to Mayo Clinic. This week eyebrows and eyelashes have formed, and the eyes are developed — though they may not open for another two weeks.

Your baby measures about 23cm this week — roughly the length of a large zucchini, and visibly longer than a month ago. Mayo Clinic gives it as "9 inches (230 millimeters) long from crown to rump" and a weight of "nearly 2 pounds (820 grams)." Length is still measured crown to rump at this stage.

The headline change this week is the face. Mayo Clinic explains that by 26 weeks "eyebrows and eyelashes have formed" and "your baby's eyes also are developed, but they may not open for another two weeks." The finishing touches are being added.

Hearing has been coming along, too. Just before now, Mayo Clinic notes, at 25 weeks "your baby might move in response to familiar sounds, such as your voice." The connection you will lean on after birth is already forming.

Sleep is part of the picture as well. Mayo Clinic notes that at 25 weeks "your baby spends most sleep time in rapid eye movement" — the same dreaming-stage sleep you have, eyelids closed, eyes moving beneath them.

Your Body at 26 Weeks: Symptoms & Changes

At 26 weeks pregnant, many mothers are still in a relatively comfortable stretch, though the common discomforts of pregnancy can come and go. SOGC lists tender breasts, constipation, backaches, headaches, mood swings and leg cramps among them. This is also the gestational-diabetes screening window, and the point at which most mothers feel a settled movement pattern. Every pregnancy is different.

The big event this week is often the glucose screen. SOGC's guidance on gestational diabetes states that "all pregnant women should be offered blood glucose screening for GD between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy" — so week 26 sits right in the middle of that window.

What does it involve? SOGC explains the first step is "a 'glucose challenge', which aims to see how your body is handling sugars," with "the measurement taken 1 hour after you consume a glucose drink." It adds that this "can be conducted at any time of day as it is not a fasting test," and that "if your blood sugar is normal after the challenge, you will not require any more testing."

If a second test is needed, that is routine, not alarming. SOGC notes that gestational diabetes "is increasingly common, with about 7% of women having the condition," and that "most women diagnosed with GD have normal deliveries and healthy babies." A high first result simply means a closer look.

Movement should feel established now. SOGC notes that "by 24 weeks, almost all women will feel their baby's movements in a predictable way," and that a pattern "tends to be consistent for any one baby, in any one pregnancy." Getting to know that pattern is worth doing.

Symptoms haven't necessarily disappeared. SOGC lists tender or swollen breasts, constipation, gas and bloating, backaches, headaches, mood swings and leg cramps among the common discomforts of pregnancy. Any of these can still be part of your week.

Your shape is shifting to carry all of this. SOGC explains that weight gain "isn't just the baby" — "your placenta, increased blood volume, larger breasts, and fat stores to support breastfeeding, also contribute." A rounding middle is your body doing exactly what it should.

What to Do at 26 Weeks Pregnant

NUTRITION AT 26 WEEKS PREGNANT

Keep the second-trimester increase modest. SOGC states: "In the second trimester you need about 340 extra calories per day," noting this "generally equates to 2 or 3 additionally servings from any of Canada’s Food Guide’s food groups" — for example a piece of toast and a cup of milk. Quality matters more than quantity.
Stay on top of iron. SOGC advises increasing "your daily iron intake to 27mg daily during the final six+ months of pregnancy to support an increase in red blood cells and fetal tissues" — and notes that, "like most women, you may need a good supplement to meet this need."
If your glucose screen flagged gestational diabetes, lean on your care team. SOGC says managing it "involves choosing a healthy diet, gaining the recommended weight during your pregnancy, getting exercise, and if needed, taking insulin or pills to lower your blood sugar."

WHAT SUPPLEMENTS TO TAKE AT 26 WEEKS PREGNANT

Keep taking 400mcg of folic acid daily. The Public Health Agency of Canada states that "a daily multivitamin with 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid is recommended for anyone who could become pregnant," and advises: "Continue taking folic acid throughout your pregnancy and while breastfeeding."
Don’t raise your folic acid dose on your own. The Public Health Agency of Canada advises: "You should not increase your dose of folic acid beyond 1 mg per day without talking to your health care provider." A higher dose is a conversation, not a decision for the supplement aisle.
Use a prenatal that covers iron. SOGC notes that, like most women, "you may need a good supplement" to reach 27mg of iron a day — the second and third trimesters are when this matters most.

LIFESTYLE TIPS AT 26 WEEKS PREGNANT

Keep moving — aim for at least 150 minutes a week. SOGC advises that "pregnant women should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week," spread across "at least 3 days a week, and up to 7 days a week." Exercise also, SOGC notes, reduces "the likelihood of getting gestational diabetes."
Get to know your baby’s movement pattern. SOGC notes that "your perception of your baby’s movements is one of the strongest indicators of your baby’s wellbeing," and that a kick count means counting "the baby’s movements for 2 hours." If you have risk factors such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, SOGC advises doing "a kick count every day, starting at 26-32 weeks."
Keep caffeine to 300mg a day. Health Canada recommends a maximum daily caffeine intake of 300 mg for people who are pregnant. For reference, Health Canada puts one 8oz (237ml) cup of brewed coffee at about 135mg — so roughly two cups is the ceiling, and that total includes tea, cola and chocolate.
Build in pelvic floor exercises. SOGC notes that "pelvic floor muscle training (e.g., Kegel exercises) can be performed every day to reduce the risk of urinary incontinence." Easy to fold into a daily routine.

When to Contact Your Doctor or Midwife

Most of week 26 is milestones, not alarms. But some symptoms should always be checked. Contact your doctor, midwife or other health care provider if you experience:

A drop or change in your baby's movements. SOGC advises counting the baby's movements for 2 hours, and says: if you don't feel 6 movements (such as kicks, flutters, or rolling movements) in 2 hours, you should contact your health care provider as soon as possible. It adds that if you ever have concerns regarding your baby's movement pattern, you should have the baby assessed as soon as possible, and that mothers should always trust their intuition.
Any vaginal bleeding. SOGC advises: "It's important for you to take any vaginal bleeding seriously. Contact your health care provider as soon as you notice any bleeding." If bleeding is heavy or you feel very unwell, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Signs of infection, or heavy bleeding. SOGC advises that if you have "signs of infection like fever or heavy bleeding, you should see your care provider right away."
Persistent low mood or disruptive mood swings. SOGC advises that "depression or disruptive mood swings are not normal and it is important to seek help for these more serious concerns."
Severe abdominal pain, a severe or persistent headache, or any symptom that frightens you. Sudden, severe pain warrants urgent assessment — seek emergency medical care immediately if it is intense or you feel faint. For anything that simply worries you, your health care provider is there for exactly that.

Questions fréquemment posées

How big is my baby at 26 weeks pregnant?

At 26 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 230 millimetres — roughly 23cm — from crown to rump and weighs nearly 820 grams, according to Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic describes it as "9 inches (230 millimeters) long from crown to rump" weighing "nearly 2 pounds (820 grams)." Length is measured crown to rump at this stage.

When is the gestational diabetes test in Canada?

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) states that "all pregnant women should be offered blood glucose screening for GD between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy," so week 26 falls squarely in that window. The first step is a "glucose challenge" measured "1 hour after you consume a glucose drink," which SOGC says "can be conducted at any time of day as it is not a fasting test." If the result is normal, no further testing is needed.

Can my baby open their eyes at 26 weeks pregnant?

Not quite yet. Mayo Clinic notes that at 26 weeks "your baby’s eyes also are developed, but they may not open for another two weeks." The eyebrows and eyelashes have already formed. The eyes are ready — they are simply waiting a little longer to open.

How often should I feel my baby move at 26 weeks pregnant?

By now, movement should feel familiar. SOGC notes that "by 24 weeks, almost all women will feel their baby’s movements in a predictable way." To do a kick count, SOGC advises counting "the baby’s movements for 2 hours," and says if you don’t feel "6 movements ... in 2 hours, you should contact your health care provider as soon as possible." Trust your intuition if something feels off.

How much caffeine is safe at 26 weeks pregnant?

Health Canada recommends a maximum daily caffeine intake of 300 mg for people who are pregnant. Health Canada puts one 8oz (237ml) cup of brewed coffee at about 135mg, so roughly two cups a day is the ceiling — and that total should include tea, cola and chocolate, which also contain caffeine.

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